History of physics in the 19th century

Discussing the nature of science and its implications for physics teaching in the classroom

Abstract

This paper discusses the importance of working with the history and philosophy of science in science education. For this end, it contemplates some aspects of nineteenth-century physics. We consider debates that took place in that period around the concept of energy, the concept of time and the nature of light as a way to discuss the development of physics as a historically constructed form of knowledge. We consider that an historical approach to the construction of scientific knowledge is a way to include in the educational context discussions that may lead to a less naïve understanding of scientific knowledge and that contemplates relevant aspects of the nature of science.