Solution chemistry is an important topic within the general chemistry course as most reactions are done in aqueous environments. Research has shown that students hold many misconceptions about what happens during the process of dissolution as well during the process of precipitation. The literature also shows that students lack a basic understanding of both enthalpy and entropy even after completing physical chemistry. This study intends to investigate what students’ ideas are about both the dissolution and precipitation processes, As well as understand including why students think these processes occur, with a focus on the concepts of enthalpy and entropy. Students’ ideas about these processes will be elicited through semi-structured interviews that includes hands-on demonstrations. Students will have the opportunity to express their understanding of these topics both verbally and through writing by connecting macroscopic demonstrations with symbolic and particulate representations. Preliminary data will be presented.

Investigation of student understanding of solution chemistry through the lenses of enthalpy and entropy

251st National Meeting (2016)

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