Exploratory study on students’ conceptions of evaporation, condensation and vapor pressure

Abstract

This study investigates students’ conceptions of evaporation, condensation and vapor pressure that are Physical Chemistry basic concepts. Chemical Engineer and Industrial Chemistry major students were questioned on three tasks that had been designed around these topics. Qualitative analysis of student responses according to Robson’s method showed a range of conceptions in each area, including some misconceptions. The implication in the teaching-learning process is that observation of physical chemistry phenomena is not enough. On the contrary, it is necessary to give time to students for reflection and to debate their hypothesis and conceptions.