Dr. Keith S. Taber
Publication:
Taber, K. S. (1998)
The sharing-out of nuclear attraction: or I can’t think about
Physics in Chemistry
International Journal of Science Education, 20 (8), pp.1001-1014
Abstract:
Pre-University chemistry students were found to consider
that an atomic nucleus gives rise to a certain amount of attractive force
which is shared equally among the electrons. Students used this ‘conservation
of force’ principle in their explanations of such phenomena as patterns in
ionisation energy. It is suggested that teachers of chemistry should be aware
that although they may using conventional electrostatic principles in their
presentations, their students may be reinterpreting their explanations through
this alternative conception. The present research concerns the interface between
two scientific disciplines (chemistry and physics) and suggests that learners
do not readily integrate their knowledge across such domains. It is mooted
that more research into how such demarcations encourage learners to compartmentalise
their knowledge may prove fruitful.