Peer Review

Discovery Of Energy ~ James Prescott Joule & William Thomson

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Reviewed:: Jul 29, 2021 by Engineering

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

This video concerns the development of the energy concept and the First Law of Thermodynamics, discovered by James Prescott Joule and William Thomson (Lord Kelvin), by means of the scientific biography of their authors. The video describes the most relevant issues in the life of Joule and Kelvin which influenced his discovery.

James Prescott Joule (24 December 1818 – 11 October 1889) was an English physicist and brewer, born in Salford, Lancashire. Joule studied the nature of heat, and discovered its relationship to mechanical work (see energy). This led to the law of conservation of energy, which led to the development of the first law of thermodynamics. The SI derived unit of energy, the joule, is named for James Joule. He worked with Lord Kelvin to develop the absolute scale of temperature. Joule also made observations of magnetostriction, and he found the relationship between the current through a resistor and the heat dissipated, which is now called Joule's first law. William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin (26 June 1824 – 17 December 1907) was a British mathematical physicist and engineer who was born in Belfast in 1824. At the University of Glasgow he did important work in the mathematical analysis of electricity and formulation of the first and second laws of thermodynamics, and did much to unify the emerging discipline of physics in its modern form. He worked closely with mathematics professor Hugh Blackburn in his work. He also had a career as an electric telegraph engineer and inventor, which propelled him into the public eye and ensured his wealth, fame and honour. For his work on the transatlantic telegraph project he was knighted by Queen Victoria, becoming Sir William Thomson. He had extensive maritime interests and was most noted for his work on the mariner's compass, which had previously been limited in reliability.

Type of Material:

Animation

Recommended Uses:

It could be recommended for courses on history of technology as well as on thermodynamic courses in any engineering degree. Useful for traditional and hybrid/blended teaching

Technical Requirements:

It is a YouTube video. Chrome v 57 and Firefox were used to run the video.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

The video brings a brief explanation on the relations between mechanical work and heat, and how heat was determined to be a form of energy.

The video also gives information on how the discoveries of Joule and Thomson led to the laws of Thermodynamics, and that other scientists were studying the same principles at the same time.

The video is addressed to engineers and students of engineering degrees interested in learning about the development of historical facts and laws of Thermodynamics

Target Student Population:

High School, College Upper Division, Professional.

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Physics at high school level.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

The contents included in the video are appropriate taking into account its duration. The video helps to understand that heat is also a source of energy, and also that energy is conserved.

The historical circumstances of the discovery of the energy concept and the First Law of Thermodynamics are clearly explained in the video. The video presents the scientific life of J. P. Joule and W. Thomson (Lord Kelvin) and the influence of social and cultural factors involved in the professional development of both scientists. It highlights how discovery in science and technology is conceived as a social task, combining actual knowledge and cultural and social behavior of the existing society. It also shows rigorously how the scientific method works, and the interaction between scientist to boost science progress. It reveals also the role played by scientific societies to give recognition of discoveries. The structure of contents is correct. The video summarizes quite well and accurately the discovery of the energy concept.

Concerns:

Perhaps the use of some demonstration equations when explaining the mechanical equivalent of heat and the laws of thermodynamics could be useful for the students.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: The material could be used for self-learning as well as a supplementary material in traditional or blended/hybrid courses on history of technology. Also useful for basic courses on thermodynamics. The learning objectives are clearly stated. The format and the duration of it allow students to rapidly understand and associate concepts linked to heat, energy, and thermodynamics.
Concerns:: A quiz or test at the end of the video should be interesting to measure learning outcomes.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: The video is a standalone material, easy to use. Only connection to the Internet and link to the video repository is needed. It can be reproduced in computer, iPad and smartphone. Visual design of the video corresponds to the concept of documentary film, representing historical facts by means of actors, pictures of antique instruments, publications and drawings.
Concerns:: As corresponds to video materials, limited interactivity.

Other Issues and Comments:: The video is addressed to engineers and students of engineering degrees interested in learning about the history of Thermodynamics Laws. It covers the discovery of the energy concept by means of the history of J. P. Joule and W. Thomson (Lord Kelvin). The video shows the description of the machines used by J. P. Joule and W. Thomson to carry out their experiments, following a rigorous scientific method. It highlights how discovery in science and technology is conceived as a social task, combining actual knowledge and cultural and social behavior of the existing society. This approach is very illustrative of what the engineer role in society is.
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