The first step to address the teaching of entropy

Atares, Lorena ; Canet, María José ; Trujillo, Macarena ; Paricio, Javier (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: Many expert scientists would agree with Arnold Sommerfeld that the first time you go through thermodynamics, you do not understand it at all. The quote goes on to say that you will not be bothered by your lack of understanding later,1 but in spite of this relatively happy ending, it is fair to acknowledge that thermodynamics has many potential stumbling blocks. Elusive concepts such as equilibrium or idealized reversible processes, among many others, are basic to true understanding and challenge both students and teachers along the bumpy way.

When confronted with the teaching of a discipline with so many troublesome concepts, it would be helpful to identify those that may be hindering the progress of the learner, also known as threshold concepts.2 Among the difficult concepts in thermodynamics, entropy has been previously stated as a threshold concept in the literature.2 In fact, the comprehension of entropy is key to meaningfully understand how the conservation of energy is related to irreversible change. The second law of thermodynamics states that irreversible processes are driven by the increase of universal entropy. This concept is hence key to understanding even the most basic natural phenomena, such as why a gas expands or heat goes from hot to cold.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1119/5.0135846

Año: 2024

Publicado en: PHYSICS TEACHER 62, 4 (2024), 287-289
ISSN: 0031-921X

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Didáctica Ciencias Socia. (Dpto. Didácticas Específicas)