Concepts of General Relativity – An Approach to Physics Teaching in High School

Abstract

Considering Chevallard’s didactic transposition theory, we propose an approach for teaching General Relativity in high school. In this sense, we develop the discussion of concepts relative to the formalism built by Einstein thorugh a qualitative presentation, directed to teachers, concerning the mathematical objects and equations linked to these concepts without neglecting the required subtleties for the theory understanding. We thus hope teachers may be able to assimilate the topics which are often neglect or reticently presented during their academic background; hence, we expect the possibility of a solid based instruction for basic education students, taking into account the knowledge transformation grounded in Chevallard’s theoretical reference. We treat subjects such as the Equivalence Principle, the geodesic’s equation and Einstein’s field equations, in a constant approximation process in relation to the topics traditionally treated during classes, and we also suggest the creation a following teaching able to apply the exposition of the presented concepts.