A Álgebra de Clifford: uma aplicação no conceito de força magnética

Abstract

The process of teaching learning Physics, in Brazil, has been recognized as deficient in several studies. Particularly, we note that one of the problems has been the mathematical framework regarding the use of physical concepts. This problem seems to generate a conceptual mathematical physical dichotomy which affects the understanding and assimilation of the deep connections between Physics and Mathematics. The aim of this work was to present an exploratory study that evaluated according to the findings by means of the data collection the feasibility of using Clifford Algebra as a formalism adapted to the study of electromagnetism in high school level, specifically obtaining the characteristics of the magnetic force vector which acts on electric charges or electrical currents within a magnetic field. Therefore, it was carried out two interventions at different dates. The first one was done in Campina Grande - PB, at the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research University of Paraiba, UEPB. The second was done in Imperatriz MA, at the Federal institute of education science and technology IFMA. Both intervention had as public target students, teachers and future teachers of physics for high school level. Motivated by the characteristics of objectivity and serviceability of Ausubel‟s cognitive theory, its foundations were used for developing a potentially significant material developed by the selection and reading of literary criticism about Vector Algebra and Geometry. The same foundations were also used as an adjunct in the learning process content covered in the interventions and subsumers in identifying the content being addressed, the use of conceptual maps as facilitative technique in the expositions of topics and as evaluation tool. At those intersections was pointed out that the formalism of Gibbs still has predominance in the textbooks adopted in at secondary and high education levels, even prompting the students to use it in the mathematical treatment directed to the study of physical measures memorizing precepts not justified , like rule of right hand. However, the structure or the Clifford Algebra enables a more intuitive mathematical modeling which is characterized by the representation and manipulation of basic geometric concepts such as magnitude, direction and meaning.