Integrating ChatGPT into a Physics Classroom: How can students use AI to tackle complex physics problems?

As large language models like ChatGPT become increasingly prevalent, their potential applications in physics education continue to expand. This study examines the integration of ChatGPT in a first-semester calculus-based physics course at Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) in the 2024- 2025 academic year. Students were given the option to engage with ChatGPT on an assessment question to enhance their understanding of a complex physics problem. Later in the semester, they received a brief introduction to prompt engineering before completing a second assessment. This study presents both quantitative and qualitative analyses of student engagement, learning outcomes, and the effectiveness of using AI-assisted problem-solving in physics education. Additionally, students' perceptions of using ChatGPT as a learning tool will be explored, providing insights into their experiences, challenges, and attitudes toward AI in the classroom.