Publications

Selected papers

Rangkuti, M. A., & Karam, R. (2023). Encouraging students to understand the 1D wave equation. Physical Review Physics Education Research, 19. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.19.020161

Karam, R. (2020). Schrödinger’s original struggles with a complex wave function. American Journal of Physics, 88(6), 433–438. Featured. https://doi.org/10.1119/10.0000852

Karam, R. (2020). Why are complex numbers needed in quantum mechanics? Some answers for the introductory level. American Journal of Physics, 88(1), 39–45. https://doi.org/10.1119/10.0000258

Karam, R., Uhden, O., & Höttecke, D. (2019). The “math as prerequisite” illusion: Historical considerations and implications for physics teaching. In Mathematics in physics education (pp. 37–52). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04627-9_2

Karam, R. (2019). O que diferencia as Feynman lectures de livros tradicionais? Revista Brasileira de Ensino de Fisica, 40(4), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9126-RBEF-2018-0071

Karam, R. (2015). Introduction of the thematic issue on the interplay of physics and mathematics. Science & Education, 24(5), 487–494. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-015-9763-9

Karam, R., & Krey, O. (2015). Quod erat demonstrandum: Understanding and explaining equations in physics teacher education. Science & Education, 24(5), 661–698. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-015-9743-0

Karam, R. (2014). Framing the structural role of mathematics in physics lectures: A case study on electromagnetism. Physical Review Physics Education Research, 10(1), 010119. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevSTPER.10.010119

Uhden, O.*, Karam, R.*, Pospiech, G., & Pietrocola, M. (2012). Modelling mathematical reasoning in physics education. Science & Education, 20(4), 485–506. * Both authors contributed equally. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-011-9396-6

Complete list (under construction)

Refereed Journal Publications

Palmgren, E., & Karam, R. (2025). A glimpse of matrix mechanics via the harmonic oscillator. American Journal of Physics, 93(1), 21-27. https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0141573

Weber Pereira, R., Karam, R. A. S., Heidemann, L. A., & Veit, E. A. (2025). Grounding analytical mechanics in statics: a didactic emphasis on the principle of virtual work. European Journal of Physics, 46(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6404/ad9c02

Souza, D. S., Lima, N. W., & Karam, R. A. S. (2024). A gênese da interpretação probabilística em livros didáticos de mecânica quântica. Revista Brasileira de Ensino de Fisica, 46. https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9126-RBEF-2023-0238

Rangkuti, M. A., & Karam, R. (2023). Encouraging students to understand the 1D wave equation. Physical Review Physics Education Research, 19. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.19.020161

Rangkuti, M. A., & Karam, R. (2022). Conceptual challenges with the graphical representation of the propagation of a pulse in a string. Physical Review Physics Education Research, 18. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.18.020119

Lima, N., & Karam, R. (2022). Schrödinger’s equation from Snell’s law. European Journal of Physics, 43(3), Article 035402. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6404/ac5635

Oktarisa, Y., & Karam, R. (2021). From a central force to Kepler’s area law: Student difficulties and preferences with two derivations. European Journal of Physics, 42(1), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6404/abbf3d

Lima, N., & Karam, R. (2021). Particle velocity = group velocity: A common assumption in the different theories of Louis de Broglie and Erwin Schrödinger. American Journal of Physics, 89(5), 521-528. https://doi.org/10.1119/10.0003165

Karam, R. (2020). Schrödinger’s original struggles with a complex wave function. American Journal of Physics, 88(6), 433–438. https://doi.org/10.1119/10.0000852

Karam, R. (2020). Why are complex numbers needed in quantum mechanics? Some answers for the introductory level. American Journal of Physics, 88(1), 39–45. https://doi.org/10.1119/10.0000258

Karam, R. A. S. (2019). O que diferencia as Feynman lectures de livros tradicionais? Revista Brasileira de Ensino de Fisica, 40(4), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9126-RBEF-2018-0071

Karam, R. (2018). Fresnel’s original interpretation of complex numbers in 19th century optics. American Journal of Physics, 86(4), 245–249. Editor’s Pick. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.5011366

Assis, A. K. T., & Karam, R. A. S. (2018). The free fall of an apple: conceptual subtleties and implications for physics teaching. European Journal of Physics, 39(3), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6404/aaa91d

Karam, R., Kneubil, F. & Robilotta, M. (2017). Forces on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field: the macro-micro connection. European Journal of Physics, 38(5). https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6404/aa75a0

Kneubil, F., & Karam, R. (2017). Keyhole: Equal signs as bridges between the phenomenological and theoretical dimensions. Revista Brasileira de Ensino de Física, 39 (2). https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9126-RBEF-2016-0216

Kneubil, F., Karam, R., Gurgel, I. & Robilotta, M. (2017). Electromagnetism as a world view: implications for the teaching of energy. Revista Brasileira de Ensino de Física, 39 (4). https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9126-RBEF-2017-0119

Coelho, R.; Borges, P.; Karam, R. (2016). Atwood and Poggendorff: an insightful analogy. European Journal of Physics, 37(6). Selected for the 2016 Highlights. https://doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807/37/6/065003

Krey, O., Karam, R. (2016). Mathematik in der Physik – Muss das sein? Und wenn ja, warum und wozu? Naturwissenschaften im Unterricht Physik, Bind 153/154, 7-13. www.friedrich-verlag.de/shop/mathematik-im-physikunterricht-513153

Karam, R., Uhden, O., Höttecke, D. (2016). Das habt ihr schon im Mathe gelernt! Stimmt das wirklich?: Ein Vergleich zwischen dem Umgang mit mathematischen Konzepten in der Mathematik und in der Physik. Naturwissenschaften im Unterricht Physik, Bind 153/154, 22-27. www.friedrich-verlag.de/shop/mathematik-im-physikunterricht-513153

Zander, S., Dorn, T., Karam, R. (2016). Mathematik als Brücke zwischen Makro- und Mikrokosmos : Ein Unterrichtskonzept zur Thermodynamik in der Oberstufe. Naturwissenschaften im Unterricht Physik, Bind 153/154, 68-73. www.friedrich-verlag.de/shop/mathematik-im-physikunterricht-513153

Karam, R. (2015). Introduction of the thematic issue on the interplay of physics and mathematics. Science & Education, 24(5), 487–494. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-015-9763-9

Karam, R. (2014). Book review: Evidence and Method: Scientific Strategies of Isaac Newton and James Clerk Maxwell by Peter Achinstein. Science & Education 23, 2137–2148. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-014-9717-7

Karam, R., Coimbra, D. & Pietrocola, M. (2014). Comparing Teaching Approaches About Maxwell’s Displacement Current. Science & Education 23, 1637–1661. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-013-9624-3

Karam, R. A. S. (2010). Minha terra tem palmeiras onde canta o sabiá… Revista do Professor de Matemática, v. 71, p. 27-30. https://rpm.org.br/cdrpm/71/5.html

Karam, R. A. S:, & Pietrocola, M. (2009). Habilidades Técnicas Versus Habilidades Estruturantes: Resolução de Problemas e o Papel da Matemática como Estruturante do Pensamento Físico. Alexandria: Journal of Science and Technology Education, 2, 181-205. https://periodicos.ufsc.br/index.php/alexandria/article/view/37960/28988

Karam, R. A. S. (2007). Grandezas físicas para exemplificar a função afim. Revista do Professor de Matemática, v. 63, pp. 29-32. https://rpm.org.br/cdrpm/63/8.html

Karam, R. A. S., Souza Cruz, S. M., & Coimbra, D. (2007). Relatividades no ensino médio: o debate em sala de aula. Revista Brasileira de Ensino de Fisica, 29(1). https://doi.org/10.1590/S1806-11172007000100017

Karam, R. A. S., Souza Cruz, S. M., & Coimbra, D. (2006). Tempo relativístico no início do Ensino Médio. Revista Brasileira de Ensino de Fisica, 28(3), 373-386. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1806-11172006000300014

Refereed Book Chapters

Pospiech, G., & Karam, R. (2023). Role of Mathematics in Physics from Multiple Perspectives. In The International Handbook of Physics Education Research: Special Topics p. 18:1-28. AIP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1063/9780735425514_018

Karam, R., & Lima, N. (2022). Using history of physics to teach physics? In: Jenaro Guisasola; Eilish McLoughlin. (Org.). Connecting Research in Physics Education with Teacher Education 3. 1 ed. Dublin: The International Commission on Physics Education in cooperation with University of the Basque Country, v. 3, p. 22-38. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5792968

Lehavi, Y., Bagno, E., Eylon, B.-S., Mualem, R., Pospiech, G., Böhm, U., Krey, O., & Karam, R. (2016). Classroom evidence of teachers’ PCK of the interplay of physics and mathematics. In Key competences in physics teaching and learning: Selected contributions from the International Conference GIREP EPEC 2015, Wrocław, Poland, 6–10 July 2015 (pp. 95–104). Springer International Publishing.