Overcoming misconceptions in quantum mechanics with the time evolution operator

Recently, there have been many efforts to use the research techniques developed in the field of physics education research to improve the teaching and learning of quantum mechanics. In particular, part of this research is focusing on misconceptions held by students. For instance, a set of misconcept...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of physics 2007-03, Vol.28 (2), p.147-159
Main Authors: Quijas, P. C. Garcia, Aguilar, L. M. Arevalo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
College Science
College Students
Communication, education, history, and philosophy
Equations (Mathematics)
Evolution
Exact sciences and technology
General physics
Methods
Misconceptions
Physics
Physics literature and publications
Problem Solving
Quantum Mechanics
Science Education
Surveys and tutorial papers, resource letters
Time
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Recently, there have been many efforts to use the research techniques developed in the field of physics education research to improve the teaching and learning of quantum mechanics. In particular, part of this research is focusing on misconceptions held by students. For instance, a set of misconceptions is associated with the concept of stationary states. In this paper, we argue that a possible way to remove these is to solve the Schrodinger equation using the evolution operator method (EOM), and stress the fact that to find stationary states is only the first step in solving that equation. The EOM consists in solving the Schrodinger equation by direct integration, i.e. [psi](x, t) = U(t)[psi](x, 0), where U(t) = e[superscript -itH/h] is the time evolution operator, and [psi](x, 0) is the initial state. We apply the evolution operator method in the case of the harmonic oscillator. (Contains 5 figures.)
ISSN:0143-0807
1361-6404
DOI:10.1088/0143-0807/28/2/001