Determination of mental models for buffer solutions

The aim of this study was to determine the mental models of chemistry teacher candidates about buffer solutions. The sample group consists of 35 chemistry teacher candidates attending the Faculty of Education Chemistry Teaching Program. All participants saw the topic of buffer solutions in Analytical Chemistry I and II courses. Data were collected with a scale containing 10 open-ended questions. In the questions, the concept of buffer solutions, equilibrium in buffer solutions, reaction mechanism in buffer solutions, and the purpose of use of buffer solutions are discussed. The data were analyzed by the researcher with a hybrid method, using descriptive content analysis and matrixing according to themes. It has been determined that chemistry teacher candidates have conceptual understandings of buffer solutions and that their mental models are not scientific.