Abstract
The problem of the learning of Special Theory of Relativity by secondary and college students is analysed. It is stressed that the results of the studies which attempted to evaluate students' learning are ambiguous and intriguing. Also the history of the emergence and acceptance of the theory by the scientific community itself at the beginning of the 20th century is analysed. Three fundamental steps are described: a) the publication of Lorentz's Transformation Equations, their interpretation in the context of the Electron Theory and their consequent acceptance by the scientific community; b) the presentation by Einstein of two postulates, namely the Relativity Principle and Einstein's Principle of the Invariance of the Speed of Light, and their partial acceptance; c) the rejection of the Electron Theory and the final acceptance of the Theory of Relativity simultaneously with the development of the General Theory of Relativity. The analogy between historical and learning processes provides some suggestions to improve the teaching of the theory.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Angotti, J.A., Caldas, I.L., Delizoicov Neto, D., Pernambuco, M.M. & Rudinger, E.: 1978, 'Teaching Relativity with a Different Philosophy', American Journal of Physics 46, 1258–1262.
Arruda, S.M.: 1994, 'Mudança Conceitual na Tcoria da Relatividade Especial', Master Dissertation, São Paulo University.
Bachelard, G.: 1934; 1986, La Formation de l'Esprit Scientifique, 13 ed., P.U.F., Paris.
Bartali, M.L., Pacini, E., Bergia, S, Bragonzoni, L., Corda Costa, M, Visalberghi, A., Cortini, G., Miele, M.G., Napolitani, E., De Forgellinis, E., Fusco, C., Segré, G., Orlandini, E., Palma Vittorelli, B., Sperandeo Mineo, R.M., Valenza, M.A., Musso, C., Nuvoli, L., Ravagnan, M., Spadoni, G., Stefanini, L., Tasselli, G., Tomasini Grimellini, N. & Turchi, I.: 1979, 'Rapporto sull' Iniziativa Relativitá: I. Profilo Generale', Quaderni del Giornale di Fisica 4(6), 1–9.
Bertozzi, W.: 1964, 'The Ultimate Speed: An Exploration with High Energy Electrons', American Journal of Physics 32, 551–555.
Borghi, L., De Ambrosis, A. & Ghisolfi, E.: 1993, 'Teaching Special Relativity in High School', in Proceedings of the III Seminar Misconceptions and Educational Strategies in Science and Mathematics, Ithaca, NY, in press.
Brouwer, W.: 1980, 'Einstein and Lorentz: the Structure of a Scientific Revolution', American Journal of Physics 48, 425–431.
Cortini, G.: 1972, 'A Useful Device for Illustration of the Lorentz Transformations', American Journal of Physics 40, 1079–1081.
Dreyfus, A., Jungwirth, E. & Eliovitch, R.: 1990, 'Applying the “Cognitive Conflict” Strategy for Conceptual Change: Some Implications, Difficulties and Problems', Science Education 74(5), 555–569.
Duschl, R.A. & Gitomer, D.H.: 1991, 'Epistemological Perspective on Conceptual Change: Implications for Educational Practice', Journal of Research in Science Teaching 28(9), 839–858.
Einstein, A.: 1905, 'On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies', Annalen der Physik 17, 891.
Fabri, E.: 1989, Per un Insegnamento Moderno della Relativitá, Tipografic Editrice Pisana, Pisa.
Fabri, E.: 1991, 'A Unified Approach to Special and General Relativity for Secondary students and University Beginners', in H. Kuhnelt et al. (eds.), Proceedings of the G.I.R.E.P. International Conference on Physics Education — Teaching about Reference Frames: from Copernicus to Einstein, Toruń, Poland, 307–310.
Frisch, D.H. & Smith, J.H.: 1963, 'Time-Dilatation: An Experiment with Mi-Mesons', American Journal of Physics 31, 342–346.
Gil, D. & Solbes, J.: 1993, 'The introduction of Modern Physics: Overcoming a Deformed Vision of Science', International Journal of Science Education 15(3), 255–260.
G.I.R.E.P.: 1991, Proceedings of the International Conference on Physics Education: Teaching about Reference Frames: from Copernicus to Einstein, Toruń, Poland.
Goldberg, S.: 1970, 'In Defense of Ether: The British Response to Einstein's Theory of Relativity', Historical Studies in Physical Science 2, 89–125.
Grimellini, T.N., Pecori, B.B., Pacca, J.L.A. & Villani, A.: 1993, 'Understanding Conservation Laws in Mechanics: Students' Conceptual Change in Learning about Collisions', Science Education 77(2), 169–189.
Hewson, P.W.: 1982, 'A Case Study of Conceptual Change in Special Relativity: The Influence of Prior Knowledge in Learning', European Journal of Science Education 4(1), 61–78.
Hewson, P.W. & Hewson, M.G.: 1992, 'The Status of Students' Conceptions', in R. Duit, F. Goldberg & H. Niedderer (eds.), Research in Physics Learning: Theoretical Issues and Empirical Studies, IPN, Kiel, 59–73.
Hewson, P.W. & Thorley, N.R.: 1989, 'The Conditions of Conceptual Change in the Classroom', International Journal of Science Education 11, 541–553.
Holton, G.: 1973, 'Einstein, Michelson and the Crucial Experiment', in G. Holton (ed.), Thematic Origins of Scientific Thought, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 261–353.
Horwitz, P. & Feurzeig, W.: 1992, RelLab, Bolt Beranek and Newmann Inc., Cambridge, MA.
Horwitz, P., Taylor, E.F. & Barowy, W.: 1994, 'Teaching Special Relativity with a Computer', Computer in Physics 8(1), 92–97.
Illy, J.: 1981, 'Revolutions in a Revolution', Studies in History and Philosophy of Science 12, 173–210.
Klein, M.: 1967, 'Thermodynamics in Einstein's Thought', Science 157, 509–516.
Laudan, L.: 1977, Progress and its Problems, University of California Press, Berkeley.
Lorentz, H.A.: 1904, 'Electromagnetic Phenomena in a System Moving with any Velocity Smaller than that of Light', Proceedings Academy of Science Amsterdam 6, 809–815.
McCormmack, R.: 1970a, 'Einstein, Lorentz and the Electron Theory', Historical Studies in Physical Science 2, 41–87.
McCormmack, R.: 1970b, 'H.A.Lorentz and the Electromagnetic View of Nature', Isis 61, 459–497.
Magie, F.W.: 1912, 'Primary Concepts of Physics', Science 35(1), 92–95.
Matthews, M.R.: 1989, 'History, Philosophy and Science Teaching: A Brief Review', Synthese 80(1), 1–7.
Matthews, M.R.: 1994, Science Teaching: The Role of History and Philosophy of Science, Routledge, New York, NY.
Orquiza, L.C. & Villani, A.: 1994, 'Evolution of Mental Representations about Collisions', in Proceedings of the International Conference: Science and Mathematics Education for the XXI Century: Toward Innovatory Approaches, Concepción, Chile, 420–426.
Paty, M.: 1985, 'The Scientific Reception of Relativity in France', in T. Glick (ed.), The Comparative Reception of Relativity, Reidel, Dordrecht.
Piaget, J. & Garcia, R.: 1982, Psicogénesis e Historiu de lu Ciencia, Siglo XXI editores, Mexico.
Posner, G.J., Strike, K.A., Hewson, P.W. & Gertzog, W.A.: 1982, 'Accommodation of a Scientific Conception: Toward a Theory of Conceptual Change', Science Education 66, 211–227.
PSSC: 1960, Physics, Heath & Company, Boston, D.C.
Pyenson, L.: 1976, 'Einstein's Early Scientific Collaboration', Historical Studies in Physical Science 7, 83–126.
Saltiel, E. & Viennot, L.: 1984, 'What Do We Learn from Similarities between Historical Ideas and the Spontaneous Reasoning of Students?', in P. Lijnse (ed.), The Many Faces of Teaching and Learning Mechanics. G.I.R.E.P. Conference on Physics Education, Utrecht, 189–214.
Solbes, J.: 1986, 'La Introducción de los Conceptos Básicos de Física Moderna', Ph.D. Thesis, Universitat de València.
Strike, K.A. & Posner, G.J.: 1992, 'A Revisionistic Theory of Conceptual Change', in R.A. Duschl & R.J. Hamilton (eds.), Philosophy of Science, Cognitive Psychology and Educational Theory and Practice, SUNY Press, Albany, NY, 147–176.
Villani, A.: 1984, 'Dilatação do Tempo e Contração das Distancias: Uma Discussão Didática', Revista de Ensino de Fisica 6(1), 3–17.
Villani, A.: 1992, 'Conceptual Change in Science and Science Education', Science Education 76(2), 223–237.
Villani, A. & Pacca, J.L.A.: 1987, 'Students' Spontaneous Ideas about the Speed of Light', International Journal of Science Education 9(1),, 55–65.
Villani, A. & Pacca, J.L.A.: 1990, 'Spontaneous Reasoning of Graduate Students', International Journal of Science Education 12(5), 589–600.
Walters, J. 1982, 'Time-Dilatation and Lorentz Contraction', The Physics Teacher 20(1), 42–44.
Zahar, E.: 1973, 'Why Did Einstein's Programme Supersed Lorenz's', British Journal of Philosophy of Science 24(1), 95–123.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Villani, A., Arruda, S.M. Special Theory of Relativity, Conceptual Change and History of Science. Science & Education 7, 85–100 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008609018266
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008609018266