General chemistry is often considered a service course for both STEM and non-science majors. A recent study of general chemistry ACS exams revealed that there is a vacancy of questions assessing the relationship of intermolecular forces and large molecules. In addition, further studies have shown that students historically have difficultly differentiating between intermolecular and intramolecular forces. In order to explore biochemistry and general chemistry students’ understanding of intermolecular forces in terms of large and small structures, students were first given a general survey measuring their level of content expertise. A sample of students were invited to participate in a three-phase interactive semi-structured interview protocol designed to determine: 1) What do students' descriptions of representations of attractions between and within large and small molecules reveal about their understanding of intermolecular forces? and 2) Are students able to bridge their understanding of intermolecular forces between small molecules to larger biological structures? Preliminary interview findings concerning general chemistry and biochemistry students’ understanding of intermolecular forces will be presented.

Assessing students' understanding of intermolecular forces through representations of small molecules and large biological structures

251st National Meeting (2016)

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