ERIC Number: EJ923483
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1756-1108
EISSN: N/A
Students' Understanding of Acids/Bases in Organic Chemistry Contexts
Cartrette, David P.; Mayo, Provi M.
Chemistry Education Research and Practice, v12 n1 p29-39 2011
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.)
Descriptors: Majors (Students), Organic Chemistry, Scientific Principles, Problem Solving, Investigations, Prediction, Science Education, Scientific Concepts, Theories, Interviews, Undergraduate Students, Evaluation Methods, Universities, Task Analysis
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
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A