Misconceptions and troublesome knowledge on chemical equilibrium

Abstract

Abstract This research aims to find out misconceptions and troublesome knowledge on chemical equilibrium. The qualitative method used in this study is conducting a semi-structured interview with prospective chemistry teachers. The interview consists of investigating the prospective chemistry teachers’ understanding using CaCO3 equilibrium system, NO2-N2O4 equilibrium system, and FeSCN2+ equilibrium system and asking about concepts that are considered troublesome according to their learning experiences. The common misconceptions on chemical equilibrium revealed by this study are about the dynamic nature of chemical equilibrium, the constancy of equilibrium constant, and the shift of equilibrium. Meanwhile, the dynamic equilibrium, the equilibrium constant, and Le Chatelier’s principle are considered troublesome knowledge because they can be alien, conceptually difficult, and troublesome language.