@article{JIANG2026, 
author = {Sha JIANG and Jiaxin WANG and Jian LI and Hongmei YANG and Faling LING and Chuan JING and Li LI and Dengfeng LI},
title = {A STUDY ON INSTRUCTIONAL RECONSTRUCTION FOR RESOLVING COGNITIVE CONFLICTS IN ELECTRIC FIELD STRENGTH FROM ISOLATED TO COUPLED CHARGED PLANES: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE ELECTRIC FIELD NEAR AN INFINITE CHARGED PLANE AND CAPACITOR PLATES},
year = {2026},
journal = {Physics and Engineering},
volume = {46},
number = {4},
pages = {109-114},
keywords = {infinite charged plane, parallel-plate capacitor, electric field strength, Gauss's law, superposition principle},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/PHYS.2026.9320418},
doi = {10.26599/PHYS.2026.9320418},
abstract = {The infinite uniformly charged plane and the parallel-plate capacitor are two fundamental idealized models in the electrostatics section of electromagnetism. However, students often confuse the electric-field formulas near these two models,    E  =  σ      /    (  2      ε    0    ) and    E  =  σ      /        ε    0  , which leads to cognitive conflict. This paper analyzes the origins of this difficulty and shows that it mainly arises from confusion between the field-superposition mechanisms of isolated and coupled systems, a rigid or inappropriate application of Gauss's law, and insufficient construction of physical pictures of field distributions. On this basis, a four-step instructional reconstruction framework is proposed, following the sequence of “model tracing, principle analysis, physical-picture construction, and methodological comparison.” By emphasizing the central role of the superposition principle and comparing the physical meanings of different Gaussian surface choices, this framework guides students to construct a clear physical picture of electric-field distributions. It thereby helps resolve the cognitive conflict at a deeper level and improves students' conceptual understanding of electrostatics as well as their ability to transfer and apply core ideas. physical picture of electric-field distributions. It thereby helps resolve the cognitive conflict at a deeper level and improves students' conceptual understanding of electrostatics as well as their ability to transfer and apply core ideas.}
}