ANALYZING OF STUDENTS MISCONCEPTIONS ON BUFFER SOLUTION AT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN MEDAN

This research was conducted to analyzed student’s misconceptions on Buffer solutions. Buffer Solution Misconception Test (BSMT) was developed to investigate the students’ misconception on buffer solution which is in the form of two tier diagnostic test with 20 items. First tier of each item consist of a content question of two to three choices; the second part of each item contain a set of four justifications for the answers to the first part. Include in these justifications are the correct answer and three distracters. Students’ misconceptions which is identified are students’ misconception about how buffer solutions work upon the addition of slightly acid or base and dilution (26.31%), students’ misconceptions about equilibrium system of buffers upon the addition of slightly acid or base and dilution (31.93%), students’ misconceptions about the change of pH upon the addition of slightly acid or base and dilution (24.58%), students’ misconceptions about relation between pH and pKa (13.32%), students’ misconceptions about how to prepare buffer solution (16.76%), and students’ misconceptions about the function of buffer solution in daily life(19.55%). Type of misconceptions which is identified are preconceived notions and conceptual understanding.