Minitubos de crookes plásticos para aprendizagem de eletromagnetismo

Abstract

In this work, we will present a portable experiment aimed at addressing the concepts of cathode rays with Basic Education students, as well as investigating signs of significant learning stemming from the referred object. The goal is for students to be involved in practices that reflect, as much as possible, the experimental processes and procedures carried out by Sir William Crookes in the investigations related to Cathode Rays in evacuated glass tubes. Here, it will be shown how to craft and investigate electrical discharges in plastic tubes, innovating in the way of constructing Crookes tubes. These experimental practices will be grounded in Ausubel's theory of meaningful learning. The process will also aim to improve students' well-being in Physics class, motivate them, create in students a sense of belonging, making them feel a real part of the learning process and not mere spectators. In other words, they will take a leading role. We also intend, using the History of Science, to demonstrate that a theory is not constructed by pure induction from experiments. What were Sir William Crookes' technical challenges? What doubts troubled him? To highlight the methodology and facilitate the use of portable experiments, we will present a proposal for a didactic sequence to be applied in a senior high school class.