Fundamentals of chemical calculations for secondary schools

Abstract

Scope of Study: Analysis of seven high school chemistry texts which represent a typical cross section provides the authority for the inclusion of the theory and problems in this report concerning chemical calculations for secondary schools. In addition to the material in these texts, certain selected college texts were used as source material. The report involves a qualitative and quantitative treatment of the four major divisions of problems in which the many types of problems discovered in the seven high school texts can be organized. These four major divisions are: (1) atomic weights, molecular weights, and chemical formulas, (2) behavior of gases, (3) chemical equations, and (4) solutions. The theory relative to each type of problem precedes the quantitative treatment. The material compiled and formulated in this report provides a source of reference of the theory and typical problems encountered in teaching a course of chemistry in the secondary schools.

Findings and Conclusions: General high school chemistry texts differ in the treatment of theory involved in problems and the illustration of these principles through typical problems. The texts are written in the language of the student and are limited in the depth and breadth of source material essential for the understanding and thorough preparation of a teacher in presenting these principles and problems. In combining the theory, typical problems which illustrate the theory, and methods of reaching a solution, a teacher's perception will be facilitated as he visualizes the picture as a whole, instead of as parts.