Educational Alternatives, Volume 23, 2025

Rezumat: Electrolyte solutions are discussed in every chemistry educational program and their constitution and behaviour are studied in relation to other basic aspects of chemistry, such as stoichiometry, solution concentration and reactions, with special interest in neutralization and chemical equilibrium. Like every other topic related to science teaching and understanding, electrolyte solutions are not free from misconceptions. Unfortunately, several of these misconceptions originate from the form in which the related chapters are written in the textbooks or the manner in which their content is presented by the teacher and in several instances from the whole structure of the chemistry-oriented education program. Indeed, in a recent study we came across certain difficulties faced by undergraduate students in manifesting the basic nature of ammonia. Since it is known that early acquired knowledge plays a major role in determining the quantity and quality of later additions through teaching and experimenting, we undertook the current survey among high-school students for which a limited introductory teaching on bases takes place. In view of the results obtained we propose some simple amendments to the secondary education curriculum which could benefit the apprehension of basic character aspects and report the comments received by a group of post-graduate students and Ph.D. holders in Chemistry.