The theory of relativity at high school: Proposal for a teaching unit

Abstract

In this paper we argue in favor of keeping the introduction to the study of relativity in high school education. Deficiencies in the traditional teaching of the subject are noted and the basic characteristics of an alternative proposal are exposed. Also, some activities of the suggested teaching-guide are presented, with a special emphasis on the definition of 4-vectors, the use of space-time and momentum-energy diagrams, and also the concept of invariant mass. The importance of including CTSE activities and the role of the evaluation are also emphasized, as well as the use of resources such as «physlets» in the process of teaching and learning relativity. Qualitative analyses, hypotheses put forward by the students and the discussion of these achieve a relevant role in the proposed scheme.