Eggen, Per-Odd and Kvittingen, Lise and Lykknes, Annette and Wittje, Roland (2012) Reconstructing Iconic Experiments in Electrochemistry: Experiences from a History of Science Course. SCIENCE & EDUCATION, 21 (2). pp. 179-189. ISSN 0926-7220,
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The decomposition of water by electricity, and the voltaic pile as a means of generating electricity, have both held an iconic status in the history of science as well as in the history of science teaching. These experiments featured in chemistry and physics textbooks, as well as in classroom teaching, throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This paper deals with our experiences in restaging the decomposition of water as part of a history of science course at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. For the experiment we used an apparatus from our historical teaching collection and built a replica of a voltaic pile. We also traced the uses and meanings of decomposition of water within science and science teaching in schools and higher education in local institutions. Building the pile, and carrying out the experiments, held a few surprises that we did not anticipate through our study of written sources. The exercise gave us valuable insight into the nature of the devices and the experiment, and our students appreciated an experience of a different kind in a history of science course.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | ELECTROLYSIS; WATER; |
| Subjects: | 100 Philosophy & psychology > 100 Philosophy |
| Divisions: | Philosophy, Art History, History, and Humanities > Institut für Philosophie Philosophy, Art History, History, and Humanities > Institut für Philosophie > Lehrstuhl für Wissenschaftsgeschichte (Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Christoph Meinel |
| Depositing User: | Dr. Gernot Deinzer |
| Date Deposited: | 20 May 2020 04:55 |
| Last Modified: | 20 May 2020 04:55 |
| URI: | https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/19287 |
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