Prospective Chemistry Teachers’ Understanding of Boiling: A Phenomenological Study

This study investigates chemistry prospective teachers’ views regarding boiling phenomenon, and provides a concept analysis on the nature of boiling together with suggestions on how to teach boiling phenomenon in the light of literature and findings of this study. The sample of this study consists of 18 senior prospective chemistry teachers who attend chemistry teacher training program. Data were collected by discussions with the participants. The discussions were specifically focused on prospective teachers’ understanding of “internal pressure” and “vapor pressure” concepts which are often used in defining boiling point. The results showed that students have serious misconceptions on boiling phenomena. Finally, to remediate those misconceptions and to lead conceptual learning, a concept analysis and suggestions for teaching were presented in the light of the findings of this study and the literature.