Misconceptions
Organic chemistry is a tricky topic which evokes much fear in teachers and students alike.
According to a study by Duis (2011), some common misconceptions in organic chemistry include:
According to a study by Duis (2011), some common misconceptions in organic chemistry include:
- Carbon atoms can form either more than or less than four bonds
- Resonance is a fast exchange of electrons
- Resonance is a state of equilibrium
- Resonance states exist in real time
Another study conducted by Zoller (1990) mentioned some common organic chemistry misconceptions at the undergraduate level. However, one was mentioned that could be considered pertinent at the secondary school level:
There are two reasons for this, which you could discuss with your students if they ask:
- Relative reactivity of single vs. double vs. triple bonds as compared to their stability.
There are two reasons for this, which you could discuss with your students if they ask:
- The pi bond (or double bond) electrons are loose and available to move around
- The energy required to break one of the two bonds (i.e., one bond of a double bond) is much less than the energy required to break a single C-C bond