M.P. Sari, A. Hardinata, Andromeda, Bayharti
This study aimed to explore students' understanding about electron configuration of chemical elements based on quantum mechanics atomic model. Sixty students from natural science education department participated in this study. A set of essay questions as was designed and validated through expert judgement and then was integrated into students' final examinations for the Basic Inorganic Chemistry course within the academic year of 2017/2018. Data of students' understanding were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The findings of this study revealed that most students made mistake in writing electron configuration especially when it comes to ions. Based on the analysis of the source of these mistakes, we provided recommendations to improve students' understanding about this concept in the future learning. © 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd.
Natural Science Education Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Science, Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia; Chemistry Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Science, Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia
