This study provides a detailed analysis of scientific publications on the implementation of experimental practices in the teaching of optics, covering a time span from 2011 to 2022. Published articles from journals in the field of physics education were evaluated, including the Brazilian Journal of Physics Education, the Brazilian Notebook of Physics Teaching, and Physics in School. The purpose of this review is to offer a comprehensive and updated overview of research in optical experimentation, structured into thematic categories: the nature of light, reflection, refraction, diffraction, polarization, interference, and scattering. The findings highlight the critical importance of experimentation as a pedagogical resource in the learning of optics, emphasizing its role in deepening theoretical understanding and fostering student interest in the subject. Furthermore, it was observed that experimental practices are crucial in stimulating the development of essential skills, such as observation capacity, precise data recording, critical analysis, and interpretation of phenomena. A quantitative and qualitative growth trend in the publications of the field is also noted, reflecting an increasing interest and appreciation of experimentation as a didactic strategy in the teaching of optics.
Keywords:
Optics; experimentation; nature of light; reflection; refraction; diffraction; scattering; interference; polarization
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