Analysis of prospective chemistry teachers’ understanding about rate of reaction concept

Abstract

Abstract This research was carried out to reveal prospective chemistry teachers’ understanding in rate of reaction concept. A survey with a quantitative approach study was conducted toward 61 of prospective chemistry teachers who were taking a basic chemistry course. Data were obtained using a true and false test which containing 30 questions related to the rate of reaction topic. They were categorized into five concepts covering rate of reaction basic concept, rate of reaction law, collision theory, factors that affect the rate of reaction, and reaction mechanism concept are 3, 4, 3, 14, and 6 questions respectively. The results proved that most of them had a low understanding in the rate of reaction concept, especially on the first concept but in the concept of collision theory they had a relatively high understanding. The efforts are needed by them as prospective chemistry teachers to increase their understanding of the rate of reaction concept. However, this research did not explore their description in explaining about the concept. Therefore, there is a need for further research to discuss the mental models of prospective chemistry teachers in the rate of reaction concept understanding.