A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ENTROPY IN SCIENCE EDUCATION

Abstract

Entropy is a concept with an extreme controversy which many scientists have been tryingto explain. Some of the approaches employed in its definition contradict each other, whichmade it extremely difficult for high school and college students to understand. Boltzmann wasthe first person who brought a statistical explanation to entropy and linking it with the disorderconcept (S = klnw). The point which received the highest amount of criticism is the similaritybetween the visual regulation in everyday life and regulation of particles, which is the metaphorthat causes the highest number of misconceptions. The primary goal of this study is to go downthe roots of the controversy surrounding the entropy concept and propose solutions. In theframework of all these difficulties, the concept was investigated with an integrated and simpleapproach. In this pretext, the macroscopic and microscopic features of entropy, the difficultiesand misconceptions encountered, and the methods used in its education have been thoroughlyexamined. The final step was developing a "Tripod Approach" to facilitate the explanation ofthis complicated concept and fill the gaps in this area. In addition to it, alternative energy andprobability-based and integrated entropy description, which reflects the essence of bothmacroscopic and microscopic approaches, was presented, and this description is expected tobe a solution for the controversy resulting from the disorder concept.