A series of computer simulations that ‘illustrate’ the behavior of tiny entities during metal polarization.

Overview

Goals

Problem published by: Ioannis Mpatsios The work is based on teaching courses on static electricity and simple electrical circuits. The main purpose of the teaching series is to help students develop mental models and handling mechanisms suitable for quality organization and semi-quantitative explanations of simple electrical phenomena.

Learning Objectives

The design and sequence of the series of three simple simulations seem to support the course of students towards the development of circular causal reasoning after facilitate (a) the identification of the two different levels of examination of the phenomenon, of microscopic and macroscopic, (b) understanding the transition situation between beginning and end of the phenomenon, (c) the recognition of the parallel change of different sizes, within the transitional state. Thus, the interaction with the three simulations is necessary to create the conditions for this evolutionary course of students.

Context

The theoretical framework of the teaching series has emerged from its didactic transformation theory of physics and develops around a series of tiny teaching models that are based on the Coulomb interaction. The work refers to a series of three simulations metal polarization of the second part of the teaching series. Students describe with shapes and comments how they imagine the arrangement of metal atoms and electrons in space when it is not affected by any external load and the behavior of individuals and electrons as they are approached by an external charge, positive or negative. Then the students must perform a series of simulations, a) Simulation of metal polarization in atomic level, b) Simulation of changes in the forces exerted on the free electrons, c) Simulation of metal polarization at micro / macro level. After each simulation gather information to answer a series of questions in writing.