Studies on the Notion of Structural Representation in Chemistry Education Considering both the Semiotics and the Philosophy of Chemistry [Estudos sobre a No o de Representa o Estrutural na Educa o em Química a Partir da Semiótica e da Filosofia da Química]

This paper presents some results and issues about the concept of structural representation, considering their relevance to Education in Chemistry, and confluence with the themes of semeiotics and philosophy of chemistry. As a methodological approach, the main aspects of structural representation in chemistry are studied from a historical and philosophical perspective. Remaining on the point of view of chemistry education, the concept of representation is considered in a broad sense, following the aspects of both epistemological and ontological features of the subject. Three functions are highlighted as priorities in the activity played by structure representation in chemical education: the identity, the incompleteness and the intentionality. These three aspects are presented as an integral part of the process of structural representation in chemistry, which is concluded to must necessarily be formulated as a medial process.