Linking energy, structure and reactivity

Tiny people around an oversized chemistry experiment where an electric spark is going off in a gas syringe.

Source: Adapted from © Getty Images

Discover how students reason about energy and chemical structure – and how to boost their understanding

Students often struggle to explain why chemical reactions happen. In a recent study, researchers investigated how students approach scientific explanations about energy and chemical structure. Focusing on the reaction of hydrogen and chlorine to make hydrogen chloride, the researchers uncovered key areas where students struggle to grasp and explain chemical reactivity. Read this article to find out about the student misconceptions identified, and use the teaching tips to help your students overcome them.

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