Students' Understanding of Acids/Bases in Organic Chemistry Contexts

Autor/inn/en	Cartrette, David P.; Mayo, Provi M.
Titel	Students' Understanding of Acids/Bases in Organic Chemistry Contexts
Quelle	In: Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 12 (2011) 1, S.29-39 (11 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1756-1108
DOI	10.1039/C1RP90005F
Schlagwörter	Majors (Students); Organic Chemistry; Scientific Principles; Problem Solving; Investigations; Prediction; Science Education; Scientific Concepts; Theories; Interviews; Undergraduate Students; Evaluation Methods; Universities; Task Analysis + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Organische Chemie; Problemlösen; Untersuchung; Vorhersage; Naturwissenschaftliche Bildung; Theory; Theorie; Interviewing; Interviewtechnik; University; Universität; Aufgabenanalyse
Abstract	Understanding key foundational principles is vital to learning chemistry across different contexts. One such foundational principle is the acid/base behavior of molecules. In the general chemistry sequence, the Bronsted-Lowry theory is stressed, because it lends itself well to studying equilibrium and kinetics. However, the Lewis theory of acids/bases is more broadly applicable beyond general chemistry, especially in organic chemistry, where direct correlations can be drawn between Lewis acids/bases and the underpinnings of mechanistic prediction. This study reports the outcomes of an investigation of organic chemistry students' understanding and application of acid/base theories in organic chemistry contexts. Participants completed problem-solving interviews, which included tasks related to acid/base understanding such as predicting acid strength and explaining nucleophiles/electrophiles. The results indicated that most students maintain declarative knowledge rooted in general chemistry training related to acids/bases, but they can't apply it in problem solving tasks. This assertion held true for most participants, whether chemistry majors or pre-professional majors. Further, flaws in student conceptual understanding of acid/base chemistry principles were revealed. (Contains 1 table and 1 figure.) (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Royal Society of Chemistry. Thomas Graham House, Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WF, UK. Tel: +44-1223 420066; Fax: +44-1223 423623; e-mail: cerp@rsc.org; Web site: http://www.rsc.org/cerp
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10