Description:

The toolbox of algebraic manipulations that students traditionally learn to use in vector calculus is not a good match for the geometric combinations of partial derivatives in electromagnetism (e.g. gradient) or the measurable combinations in thermodynamics (e.g. heat capacity). These applications require students to have rich concept images of partial derivatives that go well beyond what is typically taught in vector calculus.

This talk describes efforts at Oregon State University to help students, in both mathematics and physics courses, bridge the language gap between the way calculus is taught by mathematicians and the way it is used by physicists.  Numerous examples will be presented where these language differences lead to student difficulties, as will some of the methods and tools that have been developed to address them, including some of the underlying education research.  All of these efforts grew out of discussions between mathematicians and physicsists spanning more than 25 years.

Speaker: Tevian Dray, Department of Mathematics, Oregon State University