The purpose of this study was to identify the level of understanding concerning heat and temperature held by elementary school children. The sample(n=244) consisted of pupils in two elementary schools(grade 4;85,grade 5;78, and grade 6;81) in Taegu K...
The purpose of this study was to identify the level of understanding concerning heat and temperature held by elementary school children. The sample(n=244) consisted of pupils in two elementary schools(grade 4;85,grade 5;78, and grade 6;81) in Taegu Korea. Four research questions were asked; (1)How was the level and tendency of conceptions about the volume of matter and temperature. (2)How was the level and tendency of conceptions about the change of state on water and temperature. (3) How was the level and tendency of conceptions about the change of volume by heat. (4)How was the level and tendency of conceptions about temperature under the thermal equilibrium. We developed the test instrument which composed of 18 items about heat and temperature.
The major findings of this study are as follows.
About the volume of matter and temperature, many children think that the temperature is related to the volume of matter.
About the change of state on water, many children do nat know the face that the temperature is constant in the middle of changing state.
About the change of volume by heat, children know the fact itself by experience but they don't understand th scientific concept about them.
Finally about the temperature under the thermal equilibrium, many children think that the temperature of the matter under the thermal equilibrium state different from each material.