On the concept of Energy : conservation and transformation versus equivalence

Part of : Review of science, mathematics and ICT education ; Vol.6, No.1, 2012, pages 7-19

Issue:
Pages:
7-19
Author:
Abstract:
Many studies have shown that the concept of energy is a problem for teaching. It isin general taught that energy can neither be created nor destroyed but only transformed.Based on the original papers of the discoverers of energy, it will be shown in thepresent paper that these discoverers did not find anything which is indestructibleand transformable. In distinguishing between the treatment of phenomena and thetheories carried out by the discoverers of energy, it can be concluded that theyestablished equivalences between different domains, such as motion and heat orposition and motion. Taking this idea of equivalence, it will be finally shown that someof the problems pointed out by science teaching experts can be overcome.
Subject:
Subject (LC):
Keywords:
energy, conservation, transformation, equivalence, history of science
Notes:
Περιέχει σχήματα και βιβλιογραφία, Ειδικό αφιέρωμα: Energy in Education
References (1):
  1. Bauman, R. P. (1992). Physics that textbook writers usually get wrong. Physics Teacher, 30, 264–269.Bergmann, L. & Schaefer, C. (1998). Lehrbuch der Experimentalphysik I (Berlin, New York: deGruyter).Bevilacqua, F. (1983). The principle of conservation of energy and the history of classical electromagnetictheory (Pavia: La Goliardica Pavese).Bevilacqua, F. (1993). Helmholtz’ ueber die erhaltung der kraft. In D. Cahan (ed.) Hermann vonHelmholtz and the foundations of the nineteenth-century science (Berkeley, Los Angeles andLondon: University of California Press), 291-333.Bueche, F. (1972). Principles of physics (New York: Mc Graw Hill).C, engel, Y. & Boles, M. (2002). Thermodynamics (Boston etc: Mc Graw Hill).Chalmers, B. (1963). Energy (New York, London: Academic Press).Chrisholm, D. (1992). Some energetic thoughts. Physics Education, 27, 215–220.Coelho, R. L. (2009). On the concept of energy: how understanding its history can improve physicsteaching. Science & Education, 18, 961-983.Coelho, R. L. (2010). On the concept of energy: history of science for teaching. In P. Kokkotas,K. Malamitsa & K. Rizaki (eds) Adapting historical knowledge production to the classroom (Rotterdam,Boston, Taipei: Sense Publishers.com), 85-102.Colding, L. (1856). Nogle saetninger om kraefterne, supplement to oversigt over det kgl. DanskeVidenskabernes Selskabs Forhandlinger, 8, 1-20.Colding, L. A. (1972). Ludvig Colding and the conservation of energy principle (New York etc: JohnsonReprint).Cotignola, M. I., Bordogna, C., Punte, G. & Cappannini, O. M. (2002). Difficulties in learningThermodynamics concepts: are they linked to the historical development of this field? Science& Education, 11, 279-291.Doménech, J. L., Gil-Pérez, D., Gras-Marti, A., Guisasola, J., Mart›nez-Torregrosa, J., Salinas, J.,Trumper, R., Valdés, P. & Vilches, A. (2007). Teaching Energy issues: a debate proposal for aglobal reorientation. Science & Education, 16, 43-64.Dransfeld, K., Kienle, P. & Kalvius, G. M. (2001). Physik I: Mechanik und Wärme (München:Oldenbourg).Duit, R. (1986). Der Energiebegriff im Physikunterricht (Kiel: IPN, Abt. Didaktik d. Physik).Duit, R. (1987). Should energy be illustrated as something quasi-material? International Journal ofScience Education, 9, 139-145.Feynman, R., Leighton, R. B. & Sands, M. (1966). The Feynman lectures on physics I (Reading, London,Amsterdam: Addison-Wesley Pub. Co).Galili, I. & Lehavi, Y. (2006). Definitions of physical concepts: a study of physics teachers’ knowledgeand views. International Journal of Science Education, 28(5), 521-541.Guedj, M. (2000). L’émergence du principe de conservation de l’énergie et la construction de lathermodynamique, Thèse de Doctorat (Paris : Université Paris 7).Guedj, M. (2006). Du concept de travail vers celui d’énergie: l’apport de Thomson. Revue d’Histoiredes Sciences, 59, 29–50.Halliday, D., Resnick, R. & Walker, J. (2003). Physik (Weinheim: Wiley).Hänsel, H. & Neumann, W. (1993). Physik: Mechanik und Wärme (Heidelberg etc: Spektrum,Akad. Verl).Helmholtz, H. v. (1882). Wissenschaftliche Abhandlungen I (Leipzig: J. A. Barth).Hertz, H. (1894). Die Prinzipien der Mechanik (Leipzig: J. A. Barth).Hicks, N. (1983). Energy is the capacity to do work – or is it? Physics Teacher, 21, 529–530.Joule, J. (1884). The scientific papers of James Prescott Joule (London: The Physical Society) - (Reimp.Londres: Dawsons, 1963).Lehrman, R. (1973). Energy is not the ability to do work. American Journal of Physics, 60, 356–365.Lodge, O. J. (1879). An attempt at a systematic classification of the various forms of energy.Philosophical Magazine, 8, 277-286.Lodge, O. J. (1885). On the identity of energy: in connection with Mr Poynting’s paper on thetransfer of energy in an electromagnetic field; and the two fundamental forms of energy.Philosophical Magazine, 19, 482-494.Mayer, J. R. (1842). Bemerkungen über die Kräfte der unbelebten Natur. Annalen der Chemie undPharmacie, 42, 233-240, (In Mayer, 1978).Mayer, J. R. (1845). Die organische Bewegung in ihrem Zusammenhange mit dem Stoffwechsel, Heilbronn,(In Mayer, 1978)Mayer, J. R. (1851). Bemerkungen über das mechanische Aequivalent der Wärme, Heilbronn, (InMayer, 1978)Mayer, J. R. (1978). Die Mechanik der Wärme: Sämtliche Schriften (Heilbronn: Stadtarchiv Heilbronn).Müller, J. & Pouillet, C. (1926). Lehrbuch der Physik 3,I (Braunschweig: Vieweg).Nicholls, G. & Ogborn, J. (1993). Dimensions of children’s conceptions of energy. InternationalJournal of Science Education, 15, 73–81.Papadouris, N. & Constantinou, C. P. (2011). A philosophically informed proposal on the topicof Energy students aged 11-14. Science & Education, 20, 961-79.Planck, M. (1887/1921). Das Prinzip der Erhaltung der Energie (Leipzig, Berlin: Teubner).Poincaré, H. (1892). Cours de physique mathématique, 3. Thermodinamique: leçons professés pendantle premier semestre 1888-89 (Paris : J. Blondin).Poincaré, H. (1897). Les idées de Hertz sur la mécanique. Revue Générale des Sciences VIII, 734-743.Poynting, J. H. (1884). On the transfer of Energy in the electromagnetic field. Philosophical Transactionsof the Royal Society, 175, 343-361.Preston, T. (1919). The theory of heat (London: Macmillan).Prideaux, N. (1995). Different approaches to the teaching of the energy concept. School ScienceReview, 77, 49-57.Rankine, W. (1853). On the general law of the transformation of energy. Philosophical Magazine,34, 106-117.Schilpp, P. A. (ed.) (1970). Albert Einstein Philosopher-scientist (La Salle, Illinois: Open Court).Smith, C. (1998). The science of energy: a cultural history of energy physics in Victorian Britain (London:The Athlone Press).Solomon, J. (1985). Teaching the conservation of Energy. Physics Education, 20, 165–170.Thomson, W. (1851-1853). On the dynamical theory of heat; with numerical results deducedfrom Mr Joule’s equivalent of a thermal unit, and M. Regnault’s observations on steam.Transactions of the R. S. of Edinburgh, 20, 261-298; 475-82.Thomson, W. (1852). On a universal tendency in nature to the dissipation of mechanical energy.Proc. R. S. of Edinburgh, 3, 139-42.Thomson, W. & Tait, P. (1862). Energy. Good Words, 3, 601-7.Trumper, R. (1990). Being constructive: an alternative approach to the teaching of the energyconcept – Part one. International Journal of Science Education, 12, 343–354.Trumper, R. (1991). Being constructive: an alternative approach to the teaching of the energyconcept – Part two. International Journal of Science Education, 13, 1–10.Trumper, R. (1997). Applying conceptual conflict strategies in the learning of the energy concept.Research in Science and Technological Education, 15, 5–18.Verdet, E. (1868-72). Oeuvres d’É. Verdet (v. 7). Prudhon & Violle (Ed.) (Paris : Masson).Watts, D. M. (1983). Some alternative views of energy. Physics Education, 18, 213–217.Young, H. & Freedman, R. (2004). Sears and Zemansky’s university physics (San Francisco etc: P.Addison-Wesley).