INTEGRATING THE HISTORY OF ATOMIC AND NUCLEAR PHYSICS INTO TEACHING
Main Article Content
Abstract
The topics “Nuclear Physics and Radioactivity” and “Quantum Physics” in the Grade 12 Physics curriculum address photons and subatomic particles within the atom, concepts that are highly abstract. However, the current curriculum does not include experiments to illustrate or verify these concepts. This paper proposes an approach to selected content in these strands by integrating the history of physics into lesson planning. The research methods include reviewing the history of atomic and nuclear physics up to 1945, synthesizing and selecting representative stories and historical experiments, and then designing appropriate learning activities. Integrating historical narratives and the processes of scientific discovery into lessons is expected to enhance students’ interest and support the development of physics competencies, particularly understanding and exploring the natural world from a physics perspective.
Keywords
history of physics, historical integration, nuclear physics and radioactivity, physics competence
Article Details
References
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