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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
O Homem é exposto continuamente a uma grande variedade de radiações e, desde que
os Raios X foram descobertos, que esta área da Física foi tida como útil em tratamentos
médicos, embora a disseminação do medo pelos meios de comunicação, devido aos
acidentes ocorridos, tenha despoletado uma ideia muito negativa sobre a radiação, a
radioatividade e tudo o que lhes é inerente.
A radioatividade conotada, quase sempre, negativamente é na sua maioria proveniente
das rochas, solos e águas que constituem o planeta Terra. As regiões graníticas,
apresentam uma forte presença de materiais radioativos naturais, como o urânio, que
tem como elemento da sua cadeia de decaimento o rádio, e por consequência a
formação do gás radão. O radão é um gás nobre, incolor, inodoro e insípido e é o maior
contribuinte para a exposição natural à radiação ionizante.
Embora o radão seja uma presença constante na natureza, os documentos oficiais do
ensino só o mencionam na disciplina de Física de 12ºano, o que resulta na grande
maioria das gerações portuguesas a não ser dotada de conhecimentos sobre as causas e
efeitos deste gás.
Desta forma, este trabalho, propôs-se explorar os conhecimentos que os alunos e
docentes, do concelho da Covilhã, detêm não apenas sobre o radão, mas também sobre
a radioatividade e radiação ionizante, através da aplicação de inquéritos em meio
escolar.
Verificou-se que na sua grande maioria os inquiridos não detêm conhecimentos sólidos
sobre nenhum dos conceitos. É também evidente a presença continua do medo, no que
à radioatividade diz respeito, sendo por isso essencial instruir as novas gerações com
dados científicos sobre a área e adaptar as Aprendizagens Essenciais para que estes
temas sejam ministrados no ensino básico, uma vez que uma grande parte dos alunos
perde o contacto com a área da Física ao concluir o 9ºano, e não tem a oportunidade de
aprender sobre a radioatividade e o radão.
Man is continually exposed to a wide variety of radiation, and since X-rays were discovered, this area of physics has been seen as of great utility in medical treatments, although the fear mongering done by the media, due to accidents that have occurred, has triggered a very negative idea about radiation, radioactivity and all that is inherent in them. Radioactivity, which is almost always labelled negatively, comes mostly from the rocks, soils and waters that make up planet Earth. Granitic regions have a strong presence of natural radioactive materials, such as uranium, which has radium as an element in its decay chain, that posteriorly causes the formation of radon gas. Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless noble gas, and is the biggest contributor to natural exposure to ionizing radiation. Although radon is in constant presence in Nature, official teaching documents only mention the subject in 12th grade Physics, which means that the vast majority of the Portuguese generation does not know the causes and effects of this gas. On that account, this work set out to explore the knowledge that students and teachers in the municipality of Covilhã have, not only about radon, but also about radioactivity and ionizing radiation, through the application of surveys in the school environment. Through such assessment, it was found that the vast majority of respondents had no solid knowledge of either concept. It is also clear that there is still fear of radioactivity, which is why it is essential to educate the new generations with scientific data on the subject, and to adapt the Core Learning Frameworks so that these topics are taught in elementary school, since a large proportion of students lose contact with the area of Physics when they finish 9th grade, not having the opportunity to learn about radioactivity and radon.
Man is continually exposed to a wide variety of radiation, and since X-rays were discovered, this area of physics has been seen as of great utility in medical treatments, although the fear mongering done by the media, due to accidents that have occurred, has triggered a very negative idea about radiation, radioactivity and all that is inherent in them. Radioactivity, which is almost always labelled negatively, comes mostly from the rocks, soils and waters that make up planet Earth. Granitic regions have a strong presence of natural radioactive materials, such as uranium, which has radium as an element in its decay chain, that posteriorly causes the formation of radon gas. Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless noble gas, and is the biggest contributor to natural exposure to ionizing radiation. Although radon is in constant presence in Nature, official teaching documents only mention the subject in 12th grade Physics, which means that the vast majority of the Portuguese generation does not know the causes and effects of this gas. On that account, this work set out to explore the knowledge that students and teachers in the municipality of Covilhã have, not only about radon, but also about radioactivity and ionizing radiation, through the application of surveys in the school environment. Through such assessment, it was found that the vast majority of respondents had no solid knowledge of either concept. It is also clear that there is still fear of radioactivity, which is why it is essential to educate the new generations with scientific data on the subject, and to adapt the Core Learning Frameworks so that these topics are taught in elementary school, since a large proportion of students lose contact with the area of Physics when they finish 9th grade, not having the opportunity to learn about radioactivity and radon.
Description
Keywords
Ensino da Física. Radão Radiações Ionizantes Radioatividade