Instructional misconceptions in acid-base equilibria: An analysis from a history and philosophy of science perspective

The implications of history and philosophy of chemistry are explored in the context of chemical models. Models and modeling provide the context through which epistemological aspects of chemistry can be promoted. In this work, the development of ideas and models about acids and bases (with emphasis on the Arrhenius, the Brønsted-Lowry, and the Lewis models) are presented. In addition, misconceptions (alternative and instructional ones) on acid-base (ionic) equilibria are examined from the history and philosophy of science perspective. The relation between the development of the models and students' misconceptions are investigated. Finally, the hypothesis that history and philosophy could help educators anticipate students' misconceptions is examined. © Springer 2005.