Visualisation of Matrix Product: Using Light to Clarify an Abstract Mathematical Concept

Autor/inn/en	Pinochet, Jorge; Cortada, Walter Bussenius
Titel	Visualisation of Matrix Product: Using Light to Clarify an Abstract Mathematical Concept
Quelle	In: Physics Education, 57 (2022) 5, Artikel 055009 (7 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Pinochet, Jorge)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0031-9120
Schlagwörter	Science Instruction; Physics; College Science; High Schools; Secondary School Science; Matrices; Science Experiments; Light; Mathematical Concepts + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Teaching of science; Science education; Natural sciences Lessons; Naturwissenschaftlicher Unterricht; Physik; High school; Oberschule; Matrizenrechnung; Licht
Abstract	Teaching the noncommutativity of the product of matrices to high school or college level students is a difficult task when approached from a purely formal perspective. The aim of this paper is to present a simple experimental activity for teaching the noncommutativity of the matrix product, based on the Jones calculus, a mathematical formalism for describing polarised light by means of matrices and vectors. This activity can also be useful to introduce students to the use of matrices in physics, and to illustrate how abstract mathematics can become a powerful tool to help us explain and describe the real world. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01