New trends in physics teaching, v.4; The ... - unesdoc - Unesco

New Trends in Physics Teaching IV
‘Domestic uses of energy’ deals, of course, with two main themes: electricity and heating. It is
intended to be a bridge between the everyday experience of pupils and what they learn in physics
courses, and between the large scale energy problem and the personal decisions of each citizen.
Apart from a number of well known laboratory experiments about circuits, power spent in home
appliances, heat conduction, and so on, we feel that a very nice approach to home heating is the
simulation game [8] used in the Association for Science Education (ASE)‘Science in Society’
course. Some of our group translated the materials and tried them with Italian students, with
quite good results [9]. There is however a problem of time and of adaptation to the Italian
situation.
The other unit deals mainly with the distinction between the different ‘values’ of energy forms,
according to the second law of thermodynamics: high temperature and low temperature heat,
mechanical and electrical energy. An interesting Italian example of the high efficiency use of
energy is provided by TOTEM (Total Energy Module), produced by Fiat: a car engine (Fiat 127)
has been adapted to produce electrical energy and heating.
However, there are various difficulties, mainly related to ethe fact that electrical energy and
heating are not required at the same time. There is the need to transfer electrical energy to the
general network when it is not used, and to receive energy when TOTEM is not adequate; but
connecting such devices to the general energy network poses problems (particularly if they are in
large number) and the diffusion of this scheme wil depend on the attitude and support of the
authorities.
REFERENCES
1. Liceo Einstein. Inchiesta sugli usifinali dell’energia. Torino, 1981.
2. BONI, E.; MAYER, M. La dimensione progettuale nella scuola, una proposta sulle energie alternative sperimentata
a1 Liceo Sarpi diRoma. Communication to the AIF Conference, Formia, 1980.
JANNAMORELLI, B. Impianto per la produzione di biogas. Communication to the AIF Conference, Formia,
1980.
3. The Project Physics Course. Italian translation and adaptation by A. BASTAI PRAT, B. QUASSIATI, G. SALIO,
G. STEPANCICH and L. VIGLIETTA. Bologna, Zanichelli, 1977.
4. BARACCA, A.; LIVI, R. Natura e Storia - Fisica e sviluppo del capitalismo ne11 ’Ottocento. Firenze, D’Anna,
1976.
MAFFIOLI, C. Una strana scienza - Materiali per una storia critica della termodinamica. Milano, Feltrinelli,
1979.
BARACCA, A.; RUFFO, S.; RUSSO, A. Scienza e Industria 1848-1915. Bari, Laterza, 1979.
5. FERRATO , P.; MESSIDORO , M.T. An Historical Approach to Thermodynamics. Graduate thesis, University
of Torino, 1978.
BASTA1 PRAT , A. Calore, materia e moto - DaZ concetto di temperatura alla meccanica degli atomi. Bologna,
Zanichelli, 1981.
5. BASTAI PRAT, A.; VERDEU VEcco, G. Materiali didattici sul problema dei consumi di energia. Communication
to the AIF Conference, Formia, 1981.
7. RAMELLO, M.L. Introduzione didattica a1 problema della fissione nucleare. Graduate thesis, University of
Torino, 1978.
8. ELLINGTON, H. Central Heating Project Pack. HatfieId, Association for Science Education (ASE), Science
in Society Project, 1980.
9. BRUNATTI, B.; QUASSIATI, B.; VIGLIETTA, L. Un ’esperienza sull’uso della giocosimulazione come strumento
didattico. La Fisica nella Scuola. 1981.
10. After DUDERSTADT, D.E. Nuclear Power. New York, Marcel Dekker, Inc. 1979.
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