Historical analysis of the concept of Heat in Joule`s papers and possible implications for Physical Education

Abstract

This paper aimed to carry out an analysis of Joule’s original texts, written in the middle of the XIX century, trying to understand how the changes in heat concept occurred throughout his work. To support the theoretical analysis, a literature review was made with texts about the Science history and the study of alternative conceptions about heat. Guided by this literature review, the Discursive Textual Analysis was used as the methodology to examine which factors influenced Joule in changing his conception of the nature of heat. Joule initially accept the caloric theory and, instigated by internal aspects of his research and work by other researchers such as: Rumford, Davy and Herapath, he begins to understand the heat as a state of motion of the particles. We believe this work has the potential to serve as a subsidy for the teaching of Physics, where the study of Joule’s work can contribute so that there is a reframing of the heat concept for the students.

Keywords

• Ensino de Física
• História da Ciência
• Calor
• Joule