Enabling Covariational Reasoning in Einstein's Formula for Photoelectric Effect

Autor/in	Sokolowski, Andrzej
Titel	Enabling Covariational Reasoning in Einstein's Formula for Photoelectric Effect
Quelle	In: Physics Education, 56 (2021) 3, Artikel 035029 (10 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Sokolowski, Andrzej)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0031-9120
Schlagwörter	Science Instruction; Physics; Scientific Concepts; Misconceptions; Concept Formation; Mathematics; Energy; Mathematical Models; High School Students; Secondary School Science; Algebra; Graphs; Science Experiments + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Teaching of science; Science education; Natural sciences Lessons; Naturwissenschaftlicher Unterricht; Physik; Missverständnis; Concept learning; Begriffsbildung; Mathematik; Energie; Mathematical model; Mathematisches Modell; High school; High schools; Student; Students; Oberschule; Schüler; Schülerin; Studentin; Grafische Darstellung
Abstract	Research has identified several students' misinterpretations of the principles of the photoelectric effect (PE). Students cannot interpret the formula using the graph's context despite the linear dependence inherited in it. Many studies pointed out that the graphical representation of kinetic energy of the ejected electrons versus frequency of incident photons is unclear when a blend of mathematical and scientific reasoning is applied. While research suggests various ways to help improve the understanding, little attention is given to the algebraic structure of the equation K[subscript Max] = hf - W[subscript o] and its corresponding graphical representation. Detailed scrutiny revealed that some phases of the PE's algebraic expression do not support its visual representation. This paper suggests a more consistent alignment of the rules of mathematics with the PE process. This suggestion emerged as an alternative algebraic representation of the law of conservation of energy in the form of a piecewise linear function. It is hypothesized that such covariational relation between photons' frequency and the ejected electrons' kinetic energy is more consistent with observable phenomena behaviour and students' mathematics knowledge. While formulating the law of conservation of energy, a physics simulation, "The Photoelectric Effect" (http://phet.colorado.edu), was used. The process of mathematical modelling of the PE that concluded with a covariational relation of the kinetic energy of ejected electrons was delivered to a group of 20 (N = 20) high school physics students. A didactical outline of the instructional unit is included. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01