The research investigated the understandings of particle model of matter by South African grade 8 and 9 Natural Sciences and grade 10 Physical Sciences learners. The particle model of matter is critical in chemistry education because, it provides a reasonable explanation for the behaviour of matter and can be used to explain the properties of solids, liquids, and gases. This topic constitutes a core knowledge area in the South African school science curriculum. A questionnaire on the particle model of matter was administered to all the grade 8 and 9 Natural Sciences and grade 10 Physical Sciences learners of three participating schools. The questionnaire consisted of multiple choice questions, testing students’ level of understanding of the particle model of matter. The results reflect that learners across all three grade have a poor understanding of the particle model of matter.

Authors: Manzini Hlatshwayo, Umesh Ramnarain

Published in: Ireland International Conference on Education (IICE-2022)

• Date of Conference: 18-20 October 2022
• DOI: 10.20533/IICE.2022.10.0017
• ISBN: 978-1-913572-47-1
• Conference Location: Virtual (Dún Laoghaire, Ireland)