Many ways of thinking the concept of chemical substance in science history and its relational view

Abstract:

The concept of substance is considered important, because it is the basis for learning other content. In its historical development, we find ways of speaking related to ways of thinking, which are organized into five zones of a conceptual profile: generalist, essentialist (utilitarist/pragmatic), substantialist, rationalist and relational. Concepts of the relational zone are rarely discussed in the classroom. The relational view discussion is important because it allows students to become aware of certain behaviors of substances. This article aims to provide a brief account of the historical development of the concept of substance, covering five zones of the conceptual profile, highlighting the concepts of the relational zone. It points not only to the need for extensive discussion of this concept in classroom but also to the need for research on teaching methods that promote these discussions, taking into account both, the relational view and the ideas of other zones of the conceptual profile.

Keywords:
Chemistry teaching; Chemical substance; Concept