Representations of electric fields: field line and equipotential line diagrams

In schools and also in university courses, electric fields are typically visualized as field line diagrams. In the introductory phase of physics studies, this representation is extended to include equipotential line diagrams and vector field diagrams (see project). In addition to understanding each individual form of representation, it is particularly important to be able to connect these representations in order to develop a solid conceptual understanding of electric fields.
Initial analyses indicate numerous difficulties that learners experience when working with these representations. However, little is known about the cognitive processes involved in extracting information from them and in making inter-representational connections.
The aim of this project is therefore to investigate the cognitive processes involved in dealing with these representations. To this end, in addition to traditional assessment methods, students’ eye movements will be analyzed and think-aloud protocols will be used for triangulation. In the long term, these analyses will inform the design of targeted instructional support measures for learning about electric fields.