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An Expert Path Through a Thermo Maze

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https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/articles/pv63g086f

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  • Several studies in recent years have demonstrated that upper-division students struggle with partial derivatives and the complicated chain rules ubiquitous in thermodynamics. We asked several experts (primarily faculty who teach thermodynamics) to solve a challenging and novel thermodynamics problem in order to understand how they navigate through this maze. What we found was a tremendous variety in solution strategies and sense-making tools, both within and between individuals. This case study focuses on one particular expert: his solution paths, use of sense-making tools, and comparison of different approaches.
  • Keywords: Mathematics, Upper-division Physics, Thermal Physics, Chain Rule, Partial Derivatives
  • Keywords: Mathematics, Upper-division Physics, Thermal Physics, Chain Rule, Partial Derivatives
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  • Kustusch, M. B., Roundy, D., Dray, T., & Manogue, C. (2013). An expert path through a thermo maze. AIP Conference Proceedings Vol. 1513, p. 234-237. (2012 Physics Education Research Conference. 1-2 August 27, 2012, Philadelphia, PA). doi:10.1063/1.4789695
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  • 1513
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  • Supported by NSF DUE 0088901, 0837829, and 1023120.
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