Conceptual Integration of Covalent Bond Models by Algerian Students

Autor/inn/en	Salah, Hazzi; Dumon, Alain
Titel	Conceptual Integration of Covalent Bond Models by Algerian Students
Quelle	In: Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 15 (2014) 4, S.675-688 (14 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1756-1108
DOI	10.1039/C4RP00041B
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; Molecular Structure; Science Instruction; Questionnaires; Scientific Concepts; Concept Formation; Quantum Mechanics; College Science; Undergraduate Students; Problem Solving; Organic Chemistry; Algeria + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Teaching of science; Science education; Natural sciences Lessons; Naturwissenschaftlicher Unterricht; Fragebogen; Concept learning; Begriffsbildung; Quantenmechanik; Problemlösen; Organische Chemie; Algerien
Abstract	The concept of covalent bonding is characterized by an interconnected knowledge framework based on Lewis and quantum models of atoms and molecules. Several research studies have shown that students at all levels of chemistry learning find the quantum model to be one of the most difficult subjects to understand. We have tried in this paper to analyze the extent to which Algerian students, at the end of their training, have integrated the covalent bonding theories based on the quantum model of atom theory and are able to interpret Lewis structures using the quantum model. The analysis of the responses to a written questionnaire showed that this integration was not achieved by our students and that they are not able to correctly describe covalent bonds in a Lewis structure using the concepts of the quantum model. They have a ''quantum box'' conception of atomic or hybrid orbitals. This conception acts as a ''pedagogical learning impediment'' to the integration of the geometrical representations of atomic and hybrid orbitals, the conditions of their overlapping to give bonds and consequently the description of covalent bonds using the quantum model. So, the students use an alternative conceptual framework based on the use of Lewis model paired valence electrons to form covalent bonds that we have named the: ''electrons pair framework''. Furthermore, the students restricted the denomination of a covalent bond to the sharing of one electron (either s or p but not sp[superscript n]) from each atom to give one ''electron pair [delta]'', and thought that s bonds are only formed in single bonds. (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	2020/1/01