| Publication type: | Conference paper |
| Type of review: | Peer review (abstract) |
| Title: | The narrative structure of continuum thermodynamics |
| Authors: | Fuchs, Hans Ulrich |
| Proceedings: | Science education research for evidence-based teaching and coherence in learning : proceedings of the ESERA 2013 conference |
| Page(s): | 49 |
| Pages to: | 60 |
| Conference details: | ESERA Conference 2013, Nicosia, Cyprus, 2-7 September 2013 |
| Issue Date: | 2014 |
| Publisher / Ed. Institution: | European Science Education Research Association |
| Publisher / Ed. Institution: | Nicosia |
| ISBN: | 978-9963-700-77-6 |
| Language: | English |
| Subjects: | Thermodynamics; Image Schemas; Cognitive Linguistics; Narrative; Narrative and story; Dynamical theory of heat; Metaphor; Temperature; Caloric; Entropy; Energy; Figurative structures; Forces of nature; Image schemas |
| Subject (DDC): | 530: Physics |
| Abstract: | If a good story and a well-formed argument are considered different natural kinds, there does not seem to be much hope for narrative structures in a formal theory. However, when we apply cognitive linguistics to recent theories of continuum thermo-dynamics, a different picture emerges. We can show that the concepts of continuum physics are embodied and result from our figurative mind operating on experiences of nature. A basic structure of experience is the gestalt of forces - causative powerful phenomena ranging from music to justice to electricity and heat. Humans have developed narrative approaches to understand such phenomena. In this paper, I will show that image schematic structures, metaphoric projections, and an extended model of narrative apply to the cognitive structure of continuum physics. Since the use of natural language in continuum physics literature is fairly limited, I will apply cognitive schematic analyses to the equations and make the results transparent by introducing visual schemas and metaphors for the concepts. The gestalt of forces such as fluids or heat is structured in terms of three main aspects. The three basic schemas that are projected metaphorically are those of quality (intensity), quantity (object, fluid substance), and force or power. In a continuum model of thermal conduction, the law of balance of entropy is analogous to that of chemical substance or electric charge. Add to this the meaning of temperature as a (vertical) scale and the relation of temperature and entropy to the power of heat and you end up with a minimal Cognitive Model of heat as a powerful agent. Agents are perfect elements of narrative. Therefore, a narrative approach to science is not limited to humans acting in the endeavor of science. The most formal theories of continuum physics tell stories of forces of nature - they are narratives. |
| URI: | https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/16684 |
| Fulltext version: | Published version |
| License (according to publishing contract): | Licence according to publishing contract |
| Departement: | School of Engineering |
| Organisational Unit: | Institute of Applied Mathematics and Physics (IAMP) |
| Appears in collections: | Publikationen School of Engineering |
Files in This Item:
There are no files associated with this item.
Show full item record
Fuchs, H. U. (2014). The narrative structure of continuum thermodynamics [Conference paper]. Science Education Research for Evidence-Based Teaching and Coherence in Learning : Proceedings of the ESERA 2013 Conference, 49–60.
Fuchs, H.U. (2014) ‘The narrative structure of continuum thermodynamics’, in Science education research for evidence-based teaching and coherence in learning : proceedings of the ESERA 2013 conference. Nicosia: European Science Education Research Association, pp. 49–60.
H. U. Fuchs, “The narrative structure of continuum thermodynamics,” in Science education research for evidence-based teaching and coherence in learning : proceedings of the ESERA 2013 conference, 2014, pp. 49–60.
FUCHS, Hans Ulrich, 2014. The narrative structure of continuum thermodynamics. In: Science education research for evidence-based teaching and coherence in learning : proceedings of the ESERA 2013 conference. Conference paper. Nicosia: European Science Education Research Association. 2014. S. 49–60. ISBN 978-9963-700-77-6
Fuchs, Hans Ulrich. 2014. “The Narrative Structure of Continuum Thermodynamics.” Conference paper. In Science Education Research for Evidence-Based Teaching and Coherence in Learning : Proceedings of the ESERA 2013 Conference, 49–60. Nicosia: European Science Education Research Association.
Fuchs, Hans Ulrich. “The Narrative Structure of Continuum Thermodynamics.” Science Education Research for Evidence-Based Teaching and Coherence in Learning : Proceedings of the ESERA 2013 Conference, European Science Education Research Association, 2014, pp. 49–60.
Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.