Can a CNOT Gate Affect the Control Qubit? Student Resources for Understanding CNOT and Entanglement

The CNOT gate is a two-qubit gate that can entangle qubits and is used in most quantum computing circuits. We conducted think-aloud interviews with students using questions that explore the function of CNOT gates and their use in quantum circuits, then identified resources related to CNOT gates and entanglement. We explore how these resources can be leveraged productively or unproductively in response to our questions, and how students choose to either 'play quantum computer' or use conceptual arguments in different problem contexts.