Preservice Chemistry Teachers’ Understanding of Surface Tension through Guided-Inquiry

Surface chemistry is a challenging realm for most students because of its abstract nature and numerous associated mathematical equations. Herein we report a set of dedicated sequential inquiry-based learning (IBL) activities enriched with virtual laboratory learning and hands-on instructions. The activities were intended to help students grasp abstract concepts and understand the mathematical equations related to surface chemistry. The activities included two methods for measuring surface tension: the capillary rise method and the drop weight method. In addition, students were guided to observe the adsorption phenomenon and critical micelle concentration (CMC). The activities were implemented in a second-year pharmaceutical chemistry course for pharmacy undergraduate students. Feedback from the students indicated that the activities could nurture their interest in the topics. Moreover, we have proven that hybridizing virtual learning and hands-on learning in IBL is viable and could offer positive effects on students' learning. We advocate the use of virtual laboratories to support IBL activities in the postpandemic era.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Hybridizing Real and Virtual Experiences: Inquiry-Based Learning Activities to Explore Surface Chemistry

Wong,

Knutzen,

et al. 2023

“…18 There are various examples of the use of flowcharts in chemistry, such as point group classification, 19,20 naming inorganic compounds, 18,21 and problem-solving on the first law of thermodynamics. 22 Flowcharts providing only basic knowledge to summarize a subject can be found in organic chemistry books, and they are often located at the end of the presentation of the given subject (see Scudder 23 ). Furthermore, there are examples of developed flowcharts in organic chemistry, such as leaving group reactions in organic chemistry, 24 determination of the R or S configuration of tetrahedral stereocenters, 25 predicting a major product in competing reactions, 26 reactions of alcohols, 27 and organic synthesis.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and Use of a Flowchart as a Scaffolding Tool for Isomeric Relationships in Organic Chemistry

Işık,

Ekici,

Kadayıfçı

et al. 2024

Self Cite

Isomerism is an important concept in organic chemistry, causing compounds with the same molecular formulas to show different physical and chemical properties as a result of different arrangements of the atoms. In this study, a flowchart that brings together various concepts related to isomerism for different topics in organic chemistry courses and that helps students determine the isomeric relationships between compounds was developed, and its effectiveness was examined. This flowchart comprises two main concepts: constitutional isomers and stereoisomers. The main concept of stereoisomers includes the concepts of conformers and configurational isomers. The generated flowchart was carefully developed to be comprehensive in terms of the concepts it contained and appropriate for the undergraduate level. The study was carried out with 36 students enrolled in Organic Chemistry I and II courses of a state university. The students were given a set of questions consisting of 20 items, and they were asked to determine the isomeric relationships between pairs of compounds and to write justifications with and without the flowchart. In addition, all students were interviewed, and their opinions about the effectiveness of the flowchart were obtained. The findings revealed that the students’ use of the flowchart significantly improved their performance in determining and explaining isomeric relationships. In addition, the students found the flowchart useful in the process of answering the questions, because it helped them remember concepts and also guided them. These results show that the flowchart developed in this study as a pedagogical tool for isomerism in organic chemistry is effective.

“…Surface tension has been a significant topic in chemical education as evidenced by the inclusion of this concept in physical chemistry textbooks and a multitude of papers − published in this Journal. For instance, some studies have introduced simple apparatuses to demonstrate the effects of surface tension on liquids, while others have developed various methods to accurately measure surface tension. − Additionally, the flotation of glass coverslips on water has been used to explore the self-assembly of molecular monolayers .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Directional Motion of Gallium-Based Liquid Metal Induced by Asymmetric Chemical Surrounding

Wang

Zhang

et al. 2023

Interfacial, or surface tension, is a significant topic in chemical education. This paper describes the directional motion of gallium-based liquid metal drops, resulting from a difference of interfacial tension across the drop. This demonstration can engage students in discovering the underlying chemical principles. A mechanism for the drop's directional motion is proposed to provide insight into this intriguing phenomenon. It appears that unbalanced chemical environments cause different physical or chemical processes to occur on each hemisphere of the drop, such as a pH difference, redox reactions, galvanic replacement, or adsorption. As a result, a difference in the interfacial tension across the drop is generated, providing the driving force that acts on the drop. This demonstration can be used to introduce the fundamental principles in chemical reactions, such as redox activity, electrical double layer formation, and interfacial tension.