Misconceptions of undergraduate chemistry teachers about hybridisation

The research looked into the misconceptions held by prospective teachers about atomic orbitals and hybridization. A total of 88 undergraduate students were used in the study in the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. The participants responded to multiple choice and constructed response questions on hybridization at the start of the research. They answered the same set of questions at the end of a three week treatment period. The responses were analyzed and response categories established on their misconceptions. The post-test was to assess their gain in conception at the end of the treatment period. Results indicated that pre-service teachers had gross misconceptions about atomic orbitals and hybridization. Suggestions have been made for more effective teaching approaches to ensure better understanding of the concept.

Keywords: atomic orbitals, hybrid orbitals, hybridization