Physics Curriculum for the 21st Century

Abstract

In this paper we argue that, in Kuhn’s term, phenomenological thermodynamics and Newtonian physics are incommensurable, while phenomenological thermodynamics, naive physics and Aristotelian physics are commensurable paradigms. Teaching based on phenomenological thermodynamics eliminates the incommensurability problem. Also, a physics curriculum based on phenomenological thermodynamics is outlined, in which Newtonian equations are introduced only at a later stage, as a well-working model of the world.

Keywords

• physics teaching
• paradigms
• Aristotle
• phenomenological thermodynamics
• exergy