Learning the Physical language in an introductory course on Classical Mechanics

Abstract

This study addresses the learning of Physical language according to the premises established by Thomas Kuhn in The Structure of Scientific Revolutions and other writings. This is a case study, which investigated the learning of A5 student during an introductory course in classical mechanics. Through its reports and resolutions of problems we concluded that Kuhn's propositions are confirmed concerning the learning of Physical Science and are related to the effects and use of language by the student. The main emphasis in the learning process of A5 refers to the expansion of its lexicon or vocabulary. Through the data analysis we found out that this expansion occurred during lessons through teaching procedures initiated by the teacher, which were based on simple, straightforward explanations and examples of continuous use. Therefore, by means of the resolutions of the problems proposed by the teacher, the student A5 demonstrated the processes of interpretation, especially during the module of Lagrange. It is evident that in this process the Lagrangian Mechanics became a new vocabulary acquired by A5.