Uma abordagem de noções de programação e simulação computacional para a física do ensino médio através do software Scratch: gamificando órbitas planetárias

Abstract

A major challenge in Physics teaching is to approach phenomena that are difficult to visualize in the real world. The use of computer simulations and virtual laboratories are of great value in Physics teaching, since they allow the observation, in a few minutes, of phenomena that would take hours, days, or years in real time. The present work presents new methodologies for teaching gravitation and planetary orbits in high school classes through a computer simulation in the form of a video game called The Orbit2 produced by the author through the digital platform Scratch. The game simulates the law of universal gravitation in outer space with three objects: a star like the Sun at the center of the frame, an Earth-like planet capable of orbiting the star and a ship with player-activated propulsion. Throughout the dissertation, equations, algorithms and methodological proposals to be used together with the game are presented. Furthermore, no methodological proposal went through the educational research stage, making further studies necessary.