![](https://www.physport.org/images/guides/ThermoPhysTutorial.png)
Tutorials in Thermal & Statistical Physics
Developed by: John Thompson, Michael Loverude, David Meltzer, Warren Christensen, Don Mountcastle
Level
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middle schoolhigh schoolintro collegeinter-mediateupper levelgrad school other
![Intro College Calculus-based](../images/methods/icons/3.png)
calc based
![Intro College Algebra-based](../images/methods/icons/4.png)
alg based
![](../images/methods/grayLeftCap.png)
![](../images/methods/grayMainBar.png)
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![](../images/methods/blueMainBar.png)
![](../images/methods/greenMainBar.png)
![](../images/methods/greenMainBar.png)
![](../images/methods/grayMainBar.png)
![](../images/methods/grayRightCap.png)
![](../images/methods/grayLeftCap.png)
![](../images/methods/grayRightCap.png)
middle schoolhigh schoolintro collegeinter-mediateupper levelgrad school other
![Intro College Calculus-based](../images/methods/icons/3.png)
calc based
![Intro College Algebra-based](../images/methods/icons/4.png)
alg based
Topics
![Thermal / Statistical](../images/methods/icons/53.png)
![Thermal / Statistical](../images/methods/icons/53.png)
Setting
![Lecture - Small (<30 students)](../images/methods/icons/14.png)
![Recitation/Discussion Session](../images/methods/icons/11.png)
![Lecture - Small (<30 students)](../images/methods/icons/14.png)
![Recitation/Discussion Session](../images/methods/icons/11.png)
Overview
What? Guided-inquiry worksheet activities designed to help students develop a better understanding of upper-division thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.
Student skills developed
Designed for:
- Conceptual understanding
Can be adapted for:
- Problem-solving skills
Instructor effort required
- Medium
Resources
Teaching Materials
For more information and to access the tutorials, email Mike Loverude at mloverude@fullerton.edu.
Research
RESEARCH VALIDATION
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This is the third highest level of research validation, corresponding to:
- at least 1 of the "based on" categories
- at least 1 of the "demonstrated to improve" categories
- at least 1 of the "studied using" categories
Research Validation Summary
Based on Research Into:
- theories of how students learn
- student ideas about specific topics
Demonstrated to Improve:
- conceptual understanding
- problem-solving skills
- lab skills
- beliefs and attitudes
- attendance
- retention of students
- success of underrepresented groups
- performance in subsequent classes
Studied using:
- cycle of research and redevelopment
- student interviews
- classroom observations
- analysis of written work
- research at multiple institutions
- research by multiple groups
- peer-reviewed publication
References
- M. Loverude, Student understanding of basic probability concepts in an upper-division thermal physics course, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2009, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 2009.
- M. Loverude, Investigating Student Understanding for a Statistical Analysis of Two Thermally Interacting Solids, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2010, Portland, Oregon, 2010.
- T. Smith, J. Thompson, and D. Mountcastle, Addressing Student Difficulties with Statistical Mechanics: The Boltzmann Factor, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2010, Portland, Oregon, 2010.