Efeito fotoelétrico e sua história : recurso didático à luz da epistemologia de Thomas Kuhn

Abstract

The aim of this work is discussing the conditions of prompting the insertion of Quantum Physics in the Senior High School through the use of the photoelectric effect and its history as a didactic resource. In order to achieve this goal, students of the third grade of the Senior High School have taken part in debates about different concepts of the nature of light, thermal radiation and Einstein’s understanding of Plank’s Theory. Quantum Physics concepts of quantum, photon and photoelectric effect have been approached emphasizing a more phenomenological view and not so much the mathematical formalism. Experiments have taken place using low cost materials and software simulations available in the internet to make it easier to the students the understanding of the processes. The scientific and technological advances that occurred after the emergence of Quantum Physics have been analyzed through a critical perspective. This research has taken place in a minicourse at a public school of the state of Pernambuco in the city of Ipojuca. The development of the learning process of the students during the research was checked through the qualitative analysis of the answers given by them to the questionnaire in the tests taken before and after the minicourse. The results of this analysis have made it possible to think of the insertion of Quantum Physics in the Senior High School. This study poses the idea that this insertion of the Quantum Physics could be done through a historical approach and experimental activities in order to make it easier the paradigm shift.