Analysis of Turkish General Chemistry Textbooks Based on a History and Philosophy of Science Perspective

Abstract

Research in science education has recognized the importance of analyzing science textbooks within a history and philosophy of science perspective (HPS). Similarly, reform documents have emphasized the importance of including HPS (Project 2061, AAAS). The objective of this chapter is to analyze general chemistry textbooks published in Turkey based on the following topics: (a) atomic structure, (b) determination of the elementary electrical charge (oil drop experiment), (c) kinetic molecular theory of gases, and (d) origin of the covalent bond. In each of the studies, both old (1964–1998) and new textbooks (2000–2006) were analyzed (n = 21–27). All textbooks are generally available in Turkish university libraries. Some of the salient results were (1) none of the textbooks mentioned the rivalry/conflict between Rutherford’s hypothesis of single scattering and Thomson’s hypothesis of compound scattering to explain alpha particle experiments and the Millikan–Ehrenhaft controversy to explain the oil drop experiment and (2) very few textbooks referred to Maxwell’s simplifying assumptions in order to postulate the kinetic molecular theory of gases and that the covalent bond (sharing electrons) had to compete with the ionic bond (transferring electrons).