Learning Einstein’s Theory of Special Relativity: State Of the Art

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DOI

https://doi.org/10.25267/Rev_Eureka_ensen_divulg_cienc.2020.v17.i1.1103

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Vol. 17 No. 1 (2020): 17(1). January 2020
Fundamentals and current research lines
1103
Published: 14-01-2020
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Abstract

In this article we analyze the learning difficulties of Einstein's Theory of Restricted Relativity. The information has been obtained and selected from the Web of Science, Scopus, Educational Resources Information Center and Google Scholar databases, taking into account the Journal Citation Reports (JCR), Scimago Journal Rank (SJR) and Composite Index of Secondary Dissemination (ICDS).

For the analysis and the conclusions the learning difficulties of the students related to the Restricted Relativity of Einstein were established, with respect to the following concepts: Space and time. Causality and simultaneity. Reference frames. Energy. Mass. Light.

The conclusions have allowed us to design, apply in the classroom and evaluate a teaching proposal based on the geometric formulation of Minkowski, aimed at students of the first year of high school.

Keywords

Einstein's spcaeli relativity. Geometry of Minkowski. Learning difficulties. Bibliographic review. Google Schoolar

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Supporting Agencies  

X. P. y J. M. D. C. are grateful for the helpof the EDU2017-84979-R y PGC2018-094491-B-C31 projects, funded by FEDER and Agencia Estatal de Investigación - Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Spain funds. I. A. thanks the help of the ED431B 2018/57 project, of the Consellería de Educación, Universidad y Formación Profesional (Xunta de Galicia), Spain and FIS2017-83762-P, of the Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, Spain. Á. P. thanks the help of the MTM2016–75140–P froject, from the Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Spain, co-financed by FEDER, and R 2016/022 funds, of the Xunta de Galicia, Spain.

How to Cite

Prado Orbán, X., Domínguez-Castiñeiras, J. M., Area, I., Paredes, Ángel, & Mira, J. (2020). Learning Einstein’s Theory of Special Relativity: State Of the Art. Revista Eureka Sobre Enseñanza Y Divulgación De Las Ciencias, 17(1), 1103. https://doi.org/10.25267/Rev_Eureka_ensen_divulg_cienc.2020.v17.i1.1103

Author Biographies

Xabier Prado Orbán, Department of Applied Didactics, Faculty of Education Sciences. University of Santiago de Compostela. 15782-Santiago de Compostela. Spain.

Professor of physics and chemistry of the IES Pedra da Auga de Ponteareas, Galicia (Spain)

Collaborating researcher of the Department of Applied Didactics of the University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain

José Manuel Domínguez-Castiñeiras, Departamento de Didácticas Aplicadas, Facultade de Ciencias da Educación. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. 15782-Santiago de Compostela. España.

Professor ad honorem of the Department of Applied Didactics of the University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Iván Area, Department of Applied Mathematics II, Escola de Enxeñaría de Telecomunicación. University of Vigo. 32004-Ourense. Spain.

Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Vigo, 32004 -Ourense, Spain

Ángel Paredes, Department of Applied Physics, Escola de Enxeñaría Aeronútica e do Espazo. University of Vigo. 32004-Ourense. Spain.

Professor of Optics of the University of Vigo, Spain

Jorge Mira, Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Physics. University of Santiago de Compostela. 15782-Santiago de Compostela. Spain.

Full Professor of Electromagnetism at the University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain

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