A topic in learners' conceptions and thinking
There is a vast literature reporting on alternative conceptions ('misconceptions') in science, so this list is far from comprehensive, but offers an indication of the range of alternative ideas that have been reported.
Read about alternative conceptions
Read about common alternative conceptions
acids
- mineral acids have pH1
- neutralisation leads to neutral products
- strong acids have pH1
- the pH scale measures acid strength
atoms, ions and molecules
- an atom or ion with a full outer shell cannot be ionised
- an atom or ion with an outer shell octet cannot be ionised
- atoms with eight electrons have full outer shells
- ions with eight outer shell electrons are more stable than the neutral atoms
- ions with full outer shell electrons are more stable than the neutral atoms
- molecule returns to original position when molten sample is re-frozen
- noble gases have the highest ionisation enthalpies because their atoms have full shells
- noble gases have the highest ionisation enthalpies because their atoms have outer shell octets of electrons
- sodium chloride dissolves as NaCl ion-pairs
- sodium chloride dissolves as NaCl molecules
biochemistry
chemical bonding
- chemical bonds store energy
- ionic bonding is formed by the transfer of electrons
- ionic bonding is stronger than covalent bonding
- ionic bonding is the transfer of electrons between atoms
chemical change (reactions)
- burning sulphur divides it into smaller sulphur particles
- chemical reactions occur to give atoms full outer shells
- chemical reactions occur to give atoms outer shell octets
- in chemical equilibrium there is the same amount of reactants and products
- neutralisation leads to neutral products
Earth
- oxygen makes the sky blue
- summer occurs when the Earth is nearest the Sun
- there is a discrete but incomplete layer of ozone in the atmosphere
electricity
energy
evolution and natural selection
- acquired characteristics are inherited
- species make reasoned choices to change lifestyle and behaviours
force and motion
- a force is needed to maintain motion
- an orbiting object is subject to a repulsive centrifugal force
- an orbiting object is subject to balanced forces
- circular motion does not need a force
- forces acting on an object are always equal and opposite
