Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


Bindis Michael P.pdf (8.31 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Students' misconceptions about intermolecular forces as investigated through paper chromatography experiments and the Molecular Attractions Concept Inventory

Bindis, Michael P
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1379167186

Abstract Details

2013, Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, Chemistry and Biochemistry.
The subject of chemistry is filled with many topics that are difficult and challenging for students. One of these topics is intermolecular forces, the means by which individual molecules are attracted to one another, influencing properties of the substance such as boiling point. Previous studies involving student understanding of intermolecular forces were a smaller part of studies whose primary focus was on chemical bonding. One laboratory technique in which intermolecular forces are important is chromatography, a method of separation of a mixture according to the components' interactions with mobile and stationary phases. However, there has been little work on student understanding of chromatography. Thus, it was decided to investigate student understanding of intermolecular forces through the use of chromatography experiments. A mixed methods design was used to complete the study. In the first phase of the study, interviews were completed in which students set up and analyzed a paper chromatography experiment in order to elicit students' knowledge of paper chromatography and intermolecular forces. Findings from student interviews were used for the second phase of the study, in which questions were written to create the Molecular Attractions Concept Inventory (MACI). The MACI was administered to 407 high school students and 253 general chemistry students across the United States. Findings from this study included that students had difficulty in explaining paper chromatography experiments by means of intermolecular forces. These results were incorporated into the questions used on MACI. Twenty-two misconceptions were found from the administration of MACI, consisting of nine misconceptions related to chromatography and thirteen misconceptions related to intermolecular forces. The results of this study showed how students think about chromatography and intermolecular forces at the secondary and post-secondary levels. In addition to the focus of this dissertation upon student understanding of intermolecular forces through chromatography experiments, additional research was conducted in analytical chemistry, specifically in chromatography. This work is presented in Appendix A: Preparation and Characterization of a Polymeric Monolithic Column for Use in High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
Stacey Lowery Bretz, PhD (Advisor)
Ellen Yezierski, PhD (Committee Chair)
Neil Danielson, PhD (Committee Member)
Richard Taylor, PhD (Committee Member)
Kathryn McGrew, PhD (Committee Member)
449 p.
Analytical Chemistry; Chemistry; Educational Tests and Measurements; Science Education; Secondary Education
Concept Inventories; Chemistry Education Research; Student Conceptions; Intermolecular Forces; Chromatography; Misconceptions; High School Chemistry; Undergraduate Chemistry; Interviews; Mixed Methods

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Bindis, M. P. (2013). Students' misconceptions about intermolecular forces as investigated through paper chromatography experiments and the Molecular Attractions Concept Inventory [Doctoral dissertation, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1379167186

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Bindis, Michael. Students' misconceptions about intermolecular forces as investigated through paper chromatography experiments and the Molecular Attractions Concept Inventory. 2013. Miami University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1379167186.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Bindis, Michael. " Students' misconceptions about intermolecular forces as investigated through paper chromatography experiments and the Molecular Attractions Concept Inventory." Doctoral dissertation, Miami University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1379167186

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1379167186
1,915
© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.