From limit equations to general equations: An alternative strategy of developing equations in chemistry and its different stages of learning

• C CONTRERAS-ORTEGA ^[1] ; J. L. GUEVARA ^[2] ; J PÁEZ ^[1] ; V KESTERNICH ^[1] ; C PORTILLO ^[3]
  1. [1] Universidad Católica del Norte

     Universidad Católica del Norte

     Antofagasta, Chile

     
  2. [2] Universidad Católica del Maule

     Universidad Católica del Maule

     Provincia de Talca, Chile

     
  3. [3] Universidad de Antofagasta

     Universidad de Antofagasta

     Antofagasta, Chile

     

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• Localización: Journal of the Chilean Chemical Society (Boletín de la Sociedad Chilena de Química), ISSN-e 0717-6309, ISSN 0366-1644, Vol. 58, Nº. 4, 2013, págs. 2138-2143
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The scope of limit equations and their role as starting points to deduce general equations are discussed. Consequently, a general strategy is proposed to go systematically from limit equations to general ones. On the basis of this strategy, the most common general equations in chemistry, like the equation of state for gases, the chemical potential of gases and the equation for the chemical equilibrium constant are illustrated. The method should help to emphasize students' need to think about the validity range of the equations they are learning and to illustrate the way science infers general equations from specific ones. Furthermore, it should allow explaining to students the several steps (introductory, medium and upper level) of their chemistry learning.