JCE Online Journal of Chemical Education
 | Subscriptions  | Software Orders  | Support  | Contributors  | Advertisers  | 



  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2000  > November  >
Research: Science and Education
Chemical Education Research
Using a Computer Animation to Improve Students' Conceptual Understanding of a Can-Crushing Demonstration
Michael J. Sanger, Amy J. Phelps, and Jason Fienhold
Department of Chemistry, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0423
Cover
November 2000
Vol. 77 No. 11
p. 1517
Abstract
Students who received instruction including static chalkboard drawings and overhead transparencies to explain the behavior of gas particles in a can-crushing demonstration were given a demonstration-based quiz in which they were asked to predict what would happen when a similar can filled with water vapor was removed from the heat and sealed. They were also asked to explain their prediction in terms of the behavior of gas molecules. This paper reports some of the misconceptions that were identified from these students' explanations. As a result of these misconceptions, a computer animation depicting the chemical processes occurring in the can-crushing demonstration was created. Another set of students were instructed on the behavior of gas particles including the can-crushing demonstration and the computer animation and were given the same demonstration quiz. The responses from the two sets of students were then compared. The students who viewed the animation as part of their instruction on the particulate nature of gases were less likely to use explanations that relied solely on the application of mathematical relationships. These students were also more likely to report the importance of the condensation of water vapor and the pressure differential inside and outside the can in the can-crushing process.
More Information
*  Citation
 Sanger, Michael J.; Phelps, Amy J.; Fienhold, Jason. J. Chem. Educ. 2000 77 1517.
*  Keywords
 CER Misconceptions; CER Particulate Nature of Matter; Gases; General Chemistry; Multimedia
*  History
 Created:
Last Updated:		 October 6, 2000
April 15, 2005
<< Previous Article Table of Contents Next Article >>
  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2000 > November > Page 1517



Chemistry Teacher Connection

The "Chemistry Teacher Connection" (CTC) is especially for high school chemistry teachers. For only $40/year, it offers an online-only subscription to CLIC along with membership in the Division of Chemical Education, normally $65/year. CTC subscribers receive access to all articles and supplements from 1996 through the current issue.
More About CTC
Order the Chemistry Teacher Connection

C&EN CLICs

Through special arrangement with the ACS, JCE High School CLIC is now able to provide subscribers with online access to Chemical & Engineering News articles that have been selected specifically for secondary science instructors and their students. 
 C&EN CLICs

JCE Collections Available
Occasionally, collections of JCE back issues become available for donation to individual teachers, schools, or libraries. JCE matches collections with interested recipients. Recipients pay shipping costs or pick up the collection.
 List of available collections

Contributions Welcome
JCE welcomes your submission
 Contributors's Corner

Subscriptions
 Subscription Info
 Order Forms

Fishing for New Ideas
Always in the
process of
improving, CLIC
welcomes ideas and comments.

Email Us

NSF logoDivCHEDACS ACS PubsFor journals in other fields of chemistry visit ACS Publications.
Comments to
jceonline@chem.wisc.edu		 Copyright © 2008 Division of Chemical Education, Inc., American Chemical Society.
All rights reserved.		  Terms | Privacy