O conceito de beleza na Física e sua aplicação ao ensino

Abstract

The concept of Beauty as a method of scientific research permeated the construction of the theories that make up the Standard Model of Particle Physics, today the most successful model in science in terms of experimental evidence. In this text, the concept of Beauty was dissected and presented as a teaching method. The objective is that the student becomes able to recognize and use arguments of symmetry in his learning process. The notion of symmetry in physics and mathematics is a well-defined concept and is the main constituent of what is meant by beauty in these areas of study. In general, symmetry is defined in terms of transformations: we say that a property is symmetric under a given transformation if it remains invariant. This definition, although abstract, is responsible for the internal ordering of concepts and equations in physics. An effective understanding of the concept of symmetry is a potential facilitator in student learning, since he will understand the hierarchical relationships between the various equations to which he is presented. As an auxiliary tool, concept maps were used. This tool incorporates the theory of Meaningful Learning and consists of an ideal structure to explore the concept of symmetry. At the end of the text there is a guide on how to make these maps with the help of software CmapTools. As examples, conceptual maps for teaching mechanics at high school and university level were presented.