Unidad didáctica sobre la evolución histórica de las máquinas de calor y térmicas: implicaciones en el desarrollo conceptual de las nociones científicas de calor, trabajo y entropía

Abstract

The teaching unit on the historical evolution of heat engines and their relationship to the scientific concepts of heat, work, and entropy was structured in seven stages aimed at strengthening the disciplinary and pedagogical training of future chemistry teachers. The sequence began with the exploration of prior knowledge about heat, temperature, and efficiency, followed by a historical narrative that placed the emergence of heat engines within the context of scientific and technological development. Subsequently, the construction of scientific ideas was promoted through readings, debates, and arguments focused on the laws of thermodynamics, progressing toward the modeling of the zeroth, first, and second laws. The experience culminated in the construction of a heat engine and a perpetual motion machine, as well as an analysis of the difficulties encountered in teaching and learning the concepts covered, concluding with a reflective evaluation of the learning outcomes.