Student recognition of interference and diffraction patterns: An eye-tracking study

Autor(en)

Ana Susac, Maja Planinic, Andreja Bubic, Lana Ivanjek, Marijan Palmovic

Abstrakt

Previous studies have demonstrated that students have difficulties in applying the wave model of light to explain single-slit diffraction and double-slit interference patterns. In this study, we investigated if students could recognize typical interference and diffraction patterns at all. Eye movements of high-school students were measured while they were identifying patterns produced by monochromatic light on a double slit, single slit, and diffraction grating, and by white light on a diffraction grating. Most students had difficulties with recognizing double-slit interference pattern and diffraction grating pattern of monochromatic light. Identification of the single-slit diffraction pattern was easier probably due to its distinguishable central maximum. The easiest task for students was recognizing the diffraction pattern of white light on an optical grating. Eye-tracking data suggested that even students who incorrectly answered this question were aware that the diffraction grating separates white light into colors. Additionally, eye tracking revealed that students who identified patterns correctly attended more the correct pattern than other options, thus corroborating previous findings. Overall, the results indicate that the recognition of interference and diffraction patterns is quite demanding for students, suggesting that more attention should be paid to observing and understanding basic wave optics phenomena.

Organisation(en)

Experimentelle Grundausbildung und Hochschuldidaktik

Externe Organisation(en)

University of Split, University of Zagreb

Journal

Physical Review Special Topic - Physics Education Research

Band

16

Anzahl der Seiten

9

ISSN

2469-9896

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.16.020133

Publikationsdatum

11-2020

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ÖFOS 2012

503013 Fachdidaktik Naturwissenschaften

Schlagwörter

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Education, Physics and Astronomy(all)

Link zum Portal

https://ucris.univie.ac.at/portal/de/publications/student-recognition-of-interference-and-diffraction-patterns-an-eyetracking-study(5e5c22c7-d2e7-4a16-bd9e-1c16d8a6a103).html