Students’ Conceptions of Quantum Physics

Abstract

…after people read the paper a lot of people understood the theory of relativity in some way or other, certainly more than twelve. On the other hand, I think I can safely say that no one understands quantum mechanics….do not keep saying to yourself, if you possibly can avoid is, ‘But how can it be like that?’ because you will get “down the drain”, into a blind alley from which nobody has yet escaped. nobody knows how it can be like that (Feynmann, 1967, p. 129).

Particularly over the last fifteen years there has been considerable research interest in the student’s perceptions of phenomena in such areas as energy, motion, the particulate nature of matter, electricity, and light. However, ninety years after the genesis of quantum physics significant research on students’ understanding of such revolutionary phenomena is only beginning to emerge. This new study is designed to build on and complement previous work carried out principally by research groups in Bremen, Berlin and València. The aim of the Students’ Conceptions of Quantum Physics Project is to elicit students’ conceptions of quantum phenomena, investigate their use of metaphors and analogies in constructing conceptual models, and evaluate the efficacy of the incorporation of quantum physics at the pre-university level. The study should lead to more effective teaching and learning strategies, and inform policy and curriculum decision-making.

…nobody really understands quantum theory

—Richard Feynmann