Despite the efforts from the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) and from chemistry educators, misconceptions in the classroom and among professionals arise from the inherent complexity of chemical language and the remaining traces of the historical development of chemistry as a science. In order to improve the learning and…

Recently, various studies related to the photophysical properties of various nanoscale and subnanoscale particles have been actively carried out in the chemical and biological fields. However, the terminology of these nanoparticles has not been clearly defined, which causes confusion among research groups and students. This article aims to clarify…

A language is a system of communication, consisting of a set of sounds or written symbols that enable people to communicate. In chemistry, a particular language is required in order to represent the phenomenological world by means of symbols. Choosing the right words and knowing the precise definitions for chemical concepts is needed for avoiding…

Resonance is a fundamental concept that is necessary for students' successful learning in organic chemistry. However, there is a need to know more about both (1) what students find important when describing resonance and (2) students' conceptual understanding. This research seeks to address this discrepancy by examining second-semester organic…

Chemical kinetics is an important topic that is reinforced across the undergraduate chemistry curriculum, but previous research indicates students tend to have difficulty developing a sophisticated understanding of reaction rate. In this qualitative case study, we characterized how two students conceptualized reaction rate in the context of…

Connecting the thermodynamic definition of entropy, dS = dQ/T (Clausius's equation), with the statistical definition, S = k[subscript B] ln [omega] (Boltzmann's equation), has been a persistent challenge in chemical education at the undergraduate level. Not meeting this challenge results in students taking away the meaning of entropy in a vague…

To indicate that atomic weights of many elements are not constants of nature, in 2009 and 2011 the Commission on Isotopic Abundances and Atomic Weights (CIAAW) of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) replaced single-value standard atomic weight values with atomic weight intervals for 12 elements (hydrogen, lithium, boron,…

Since the introduction of Morrison and Boyd's textbook in organic chemistry over 50 years ago, reaction mechanisms and mechanistic reasoning using the electron-pushing formalism (EPF) have become a mainstay of organic chemistry courses. In recent years there have even been several papers in this Journal and others detailing research on how…

Throughout the centuries, the concept of "element" has undergone a clear evolution from a strictly philosophical area to the scientific domain, although the conceptual progress has not always gone along with a terminological evolution. Some inconsistencies in the definition of element can be found in several precollege and…

This paper presents a simplified approach for the application of material efficiency metrics to linear and convergent synthesis plans encountered in organic synthesis courses. Computations are facilitated and automated using intuitively designed Microsoft Excel spreadsheets without invoking abstract mathematical formulas. The merits of this…

Among the many possible goals that instructors have for students in general chemistry, the idea that they will better understand the conceptual underpinnings of the science is certainly important. Nonetheless, identifying with clarity what exemplifies student success at achieving this goal is hindered by the challenge of clearly articulating what…

IUPAC gives several different definitions of oxidation: loss of electrons, increase in oxidation state, loss of hydrogen, or gain of oxygen. Most introductory or general chemistry textbooks use all of these definitions at one time or another, which can lead to some confusion in the minds of first-year chemistry students. Some paradoxical…

Numerous articles have been published that address problems encountered in teaching basic concepts of chemistry such as the atomic mass unit, Avogadro's number, and the mole. The origin of these problems is found in the concept definitions. If these definitions are adjusted for teaching purposes, understanding could be improved. In the present…

A substantial number of upper-level science students and practicing physical science teachers demonstrate confusion about thermal equilibrium, heat transfer, heat capacity, and specific heat capacity. The traditional method of instruction, which involves learning the related definitions and equations, using equations to solve heat transfer…

A simple molecular approach is described that aids students in learning challenging stereochemical terms, definitions, and concepts, particularly when chemical structures are drawn in two dimensions. The approach starts with a structurally diverse family of natural compounds ([alpha]-amino acids) and gradually increases in complexity. The recently…