Reconstructing the early history of the theory of heat through Fourier’s experiments

Abstract

We present a project for undergraduate students illustrating the historical path that led to the foundations of the early theory of heat developed by Joseph Fourier. It is based on the reconstruction of 12 key experiments carried out by the French scientist to acquire significant results about heat already known from previous authors, as well as to investigate the relevant parameters ruling heat propagation in media. Upon this empirical evidence, Fourier was able to elaborate his celebrated heat equation that he applied to a number of different problems, whose solution led to predictions and consequences to be tested in further observations. The dominant experimental activity of the project was complemented by a dedicated theoretical one, aimed at illustrating how physical evidences entered into the theoretical framework behind Fourier’s heat equation. The project ended with a dissemination activity, which resulted both in the realization of 12 videos illustrating the experiments performed (available on the YouTube platform) and in the presentation of the whole project to other students and the general public at science fairs and similar events.