Resumen de Addressing Misconceptions Related to Mass–Matter Conservation and Bond Energetics with a Modified Gauss Accelerator
Robert G. Gullion, Terry Gullion, Michelle Richards-Babb, Mark Schraf
We describe a demonstration to confront misconceptions associated with mass–matter conservation and bond energetics. This demonstration is based on the Gauss Accelerator and is accompanied by hands-on manipulatives. The demonstration exemplifies mass–matter conservation, bond breaking, and bond making using a chemical-analogue system: a neodymium magnet (M) with two ferromagnetic steel balls (S) attached in an M–S–S (“reactant”) configuration resting on an aluminum track. A third steel ball rolled toward the free side results in the high-energy expulsion of the terminal steel ball and a final S–M–S (“product”) configuration. Discussion of differential “bond” energies (MS–S vs S–M) and observation of the number and type of each “atom” present prepares the audience for the demonstration. In a repeated-measures pre–post design, students (N = 9) performed significantly better (t(8) = 7.234, p < 0.05, d = 2.41) on a conceptual-knowledge assessment of their understanding of mass–matter conservation and bond energetics after engaging with the demonstration. Complete information on how to enable others to construct the track, gather the demonstration components, and safely run the demonstration is provided. This demonstration has been used for audiences of all ages and with different levels of science knowledge.
