Homeyra Sadaghiani
The Ohio State University

Students' Conceptual and Mathematical Difficulties with Quantum Wave 
Functions

In contrast to a classical particle, localized at a point, a wave function 
spreads out in space. This and the statistical interpretation of the wave 
function are disturbing for students. As part of an ongoing investigation 
of students' difficulties learning quantum mechanics, we bring examples of 
students' common difficulties with the wave function. These difficulties 
include: recognizing the wave function as a probability distribution, the 
interpretation of the sketch of wave functions in regions with different 
potentials, distinguishing the wave functions from energy eigenstates, and 
mathematical difficulties involving the graphs of wave functions. 

This talk has two main parts. The first part discusses students' 
conceptual difficulties with the understanding of quantum wave functions. 
The second part explores students' mathematical difficulties with the 
representations of wave functions. 
*Supported in part by NSF DUE #0088906