Some students think that there is air between air molecules
Properties of Matter
Misconception
Some students think that between the molecules of a substance, the same substance exists. For instance, there is air between air molecules, water between water molecules, and rock between rock molecules.
Diagnostic Resources
The following worksheets may help to identify whether students hold this particular misconception.
For more information, see the University of York BEST website.
References
- Lee, O., Eichinger, D. C., Anderson, C. W, Berkheimer, G. D. and Blakeslee, T. D., () Changing Middle School Students’ Conceptions of Matter and Molecules, Journal of research in science teaching, 30 (3)
249-270.
- Talanquer, V. () On Cognitive Constraints and Learning Progressions: The case of ''structure of matter'', International Journal of Science Education, 31 (15)
2123-2136.
- Andersson, B., () Pupils' Conceptions of Matter and its Transformations (age 12-16), Studies in Science Education, 18,
53-85.
- Adadan, E., Irving, K. E. and Trundle, K. C., () Impacts of Multi-representational Instruction on High School Students' Conceptual Understandings of the Particulate Nature of Matter, International Journal of Science Education, 31 (13)
1743-1775.