Explorando os conceitos de oxidação e redução a partir de algumas características da história da ciência

Abstract

Exploring the concepts of oxidation and reduction from some characteristics of the history of science. The concepts of oxidation and reduction are a source of several difficulties for students. For example, in some cases the oxidation is related to the gain of something and, in others, to a loss. This opposition in regard to the same process makes the students memorize rules rather than exploring the reasons for it. Considering this complexity, we seek to discuss the different meanings of these concepts by showing their connections to the phlogiston theory. The development of the text is based on the studies of Douglas Allchin, recent texts on the concepts of oxidation and reduction, and studies of History of Science for Education. From these sources, we propose some considerations for the teaching of the concepts of oxidation and reduction: i) addressing some characteristics of the context in which the concepts emerged and ii) presenting the different meanings given to these concepts and the articulation among them. Thus, we understand that we may contribute to the minimization of learning difficulties presented by students, by proposing to develop knowledge, articulation and understanding of the different meanings for the concepts of oxidation and reduction.