Improving the understanding of chemical equilibrium in second semester general chemistry students

Title:	Improving the understanding of chemical equilibrium in second semester general chemistry students
Author:	Swanson, David C.
Abstract:	The concept of chemical equilibrium is central to the understanding of chemistry, and is widely viewed as the most difficult topic to master in the General Chemistry curriculum. The study of chemical equilibrium is at the core of Chem 1B, the second semester general chemistry class at California State University Sacramento. This study attempts to locate the primary reasons for students’ difficulties with chemical equilibrium and to suggest help for their problems, particularly with regard to the conceptual understanding of this topic.The action research technique has been employed to characterize this problem, develop and introduce interventions to the student environment meant to improve the problem, and collate and summarize the results of this intervention. It is found that there is a lack of conceptual understanding of the principles underlying chemical equilibrium on the part of general chemistry students, and it is recommended that additional conceptual teaching be added to the general chemistry curriculum at CSUS.
Description:	Thesis (M.S., Chemistry) -- California State University, Sacramento, 2011.
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/10211.9/1385
Date:	2011-09-09

Files in this item

Files	Size	Format	View	Description
Final PDF.pdf	2.928Mb	PDF	View/Open	Final Thesis-PDF
Diagnostic Exam rev 5.doc	611.8Kb	Microsoft Word	View/Open	Diagnostic Exam
Equilibrium machine rev 13.xls	57.34Kb	Microsoft Excel	View/Open	Equilibrium machine
Making a Buffer Solution.ppt	199.1Kb	Microsoft PowerPoint	View/Open	Making a Buffer Solution
Readme file for digital attachments.docx	16.54Kb	Microsoft Word	View/Open	Readme file
Thesis Paper Final Draft 1 7-21-11.docx	7.327Mb	Microsoft Word	View/Open	Main Thesis-WORD
Worksheet 1 - R ... iometry POSTED FALL 10.doc	192Kb	Microsoft Word	View/Open	Worksheet 1
Worksheet 2 - R ... librium POSTED FALL 10.doc	208.3Kb	Microsoft Word	View/Open	Worksheet 2
Worksheet 3 - B ... librium rev 11 9-22-10.doc	87.55Kb	Microsoft Word	View/Open	Worksheet 3
Worksheet 4 - Buffer Chemistry rev 7 10-1-10.doc	512Kb	Microsoft Word	View/Open	Worksheet 4