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Sirius particle accelerator model: an investigative approach to exploring synchrotron light generation

Our research aimed to investigate the role of a functional model of the Brazilian particle accelerator, Sirius, as a teaching device, to approach the synchrotron light generation process and disseminate the accelerator, with students from the teachers in trainning course offered by Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE). Synchrotron light is a form of electromagnetic radiation produced by charged particles, usually electrons, that are accelerated in intense magnetic fields and curved into circular paths. Sìrius is the only fourth-generation particle accelerator in the southern hemisphere, opened in 2018, located at the National Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), in Campinas-SP. The investigation into the use of the model consisted of the first stage of an Investigative Teaching Sequence (SEI), structured, validated and applied in doctoral course research. For the intended investigation, we used the quadrant technique and the interpretative analysis of the students’ responses, produced during the development of this first stage of the SEI. The results obtained indicated the versatility of the teaching device that enabled a three-dimensional visualization of the real object and the mobilization of analogies that facilitated the understanding of the synchrotron light generation process.

Keywords:
Synchrotron light; sirius accelerator; didactic model


Sociedade Brasileira de Física Caixa Postal 66328, 05389-970 São Paulo SP - Brazil - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: marcio@sbfisica.org.br