1. THE USE OF HISTORY TO IMPROVE SCIENCE EDUCATION Differentiation between magneto-statics and electrostatics By Varda Bar And Igal Galili Hebrew University of Jerusalem

2. Parallelism between children’s and historical ideas  There are many instances of this Parallelism.  Gravity, magnetism, and force are only three examples.

3. Debates about scientific issues of the past can help educators  Understand why children might be confused about certain concepts.  Get ideas for how to clarify ideas and resolve conflicts.  Pick up suggestions for activities.  Use historical anecdotes to provoke conceptual change.

4. Electrostatics and magneto-statics  Pupils confuse electric current with magnetism  Pupils confuse electrostatic phenomena with magneto-static phenomena.

5. Example: “Magnetic Current” Adults and children have said:  “Electrical current causes magnetic charges.”  “The current makes lights caused by magnetism.”  “The magnet pushes the current, it is the electrical current that works together with magnetism”  “Electrical current causes magnetic motion.”  “Electricity moves in the wires causing friction, which bring out magnetic attraction.”

6. Example: Magnetic Attraction  “Electrical attraction was caused by magnetism.”  “The paper was attracted to the comb by its magnetism.”  “During thunder and lightning the clouds are attracted to each other by their magnetism.”  “Any attraction is due to magnetic force.”  “Electric current is also caused by magnetism.”

7. William Gilbert 1600  Wrote the first significant scientific book about magnetism, called “De Magnete.”

8. William Gilbert 1600  Was the first person to differentiate between magnetic force and the electrostatic force produced by amber.  Suggested the rotating Earth with its magnetic field.

9. William Gilbert 1600  Johannes Kepler and Galileo were very interested in Gilbert's magnetic researches because the Copernican cosmology needed a new physics to support it.  Galileo praised Gilbert. Galileo’s efforts to make a truly powerful lodestone for his patrons probably date from his reading of Gilbert's book.

10. Confusion in Gilbert’s Time (1600)  In Gilbert’s period electrostatics and magnetism were not separated.  Both forces acted at a distance.  Both forces attracted as well as repelled.

11. Magnetism  Only iron and load stone  Permanent  Not activated by rubbing  Not affected by water Electricity  Many materials  Temporal  Activated by rubbing  Diminished in the presence of humidity

12. Successful Learning Opportunities  Simple experiences for elementary school pupils.  Were used to help them differentiate electrostatic from magneto-static attractions.  These experiences helped the teacher relate the cause of natural phenomena to electrostatic attractions