Problems of teaching thermodynamics 

S.S. Epifanova

Russian State Geological Prospecting University, Russia, 117997 Moscow, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 23, chemist@msgpa.ru

At our university, experience has been gained in teaching thermodynamics as a part of chemistry that gives a powerful predictive method in learning chemistry. The learning process begins with structural and thermodynamic sections, and then the properties of chemical elements and their compounds are learnt using thermodynamic simulation. 
In teaching any subject, it is useful to establish the most general concepts and laws and adequate actions that make it possible to analyze many particular cases. In our opinion, such an invariant is the chemical potential of a substance and the most generalized actions include a derivation of an expression for an equilibrium constant. 
We created a complex of tutorials using an activity-based model of learning. It includes a program, a methodical development "Research in an educational practical work in chemistry," and a tutorial for independent work. The tutorial developed by us consists of learning cards devoted to fundamental laws and key concepts of the subject. The learning cards have several sections: statement of the problem, necessary knowledge, and the actions to be carried out. The first part of the tutorial is devoted to thermodynamics, and the second part, to studying processes in solutions. In studying the processes in aqueous solutions, thermodynamic simulation is used to gain ideas concerning the behavior of substances in natural systems. 
All the proposed experimental and calculation tasks are generalized and can be varied due to the availability of a bank of objects for study and a bank of thermodynamic quantities. The availability of objects for study differing in the degree of complexity provides freedom of choice for students within the limits of the given strategy of studying. Tactics of the study is developed by the student independently when solving the problem and carrying out experiment and thermodynamic calculations. The research character of work conducted by the student to solve an individually chosen task by performing experiment and confirming the results by thermodynamic calculations raises interest in work and increases the level of internal motivation. 
3obtaining information on the properties and behavior of substances from thermodynamic calculations. 
We created a complex of tutorials using an activity-based model of learning. It includes a program, a methodical development "Research in an educational practical work in chemistry," and a tutorial for independent work. The program indicates the direction of studying the discipline, offers schemes of logic and genetic relationships for studying the subject, and formulates necessary knowledge and skills.
The tutorial developed by us consists of learning cards devoted to fundamental laws and key concepts of the subject. A hierarchy of concepts differing in the degree of generality and complexity is proposed. The learning cards have several sections: statement of the problem, necessary knowledge, and the actions to be carried out. The first part of the tutorial is devoted to thermodynamics, and the second part, to studying processes in solutions. The hierarchy of processes in solutions differing in complexity is as follows: hydration, dissociation, hydrolysis, precipitate-solution equilibrium, complexation, oxidation-reduction reactions, and the colloidal state of substance. In studying the processes in aqueous solutions, thermodynamic simulation is used to gain ideas concerning the behavior of substances in natural systems. Learning cards direct successful actions of students in solving the offered problems of different complexity.
All offered experimental and calculation tasks are generalized and can be varied due to the availability of a bank of objects for study and a bank of thermodynamic quantities. The availability of objects for study differing in the degree of complexity provides freedom of choice for students within the limits of the given strategy of studying. Tactics of the study is developed by the student independently when solving the problem and carrying out experiment and thermodynamic calculations. The research character of work conducted by the student to solve an individually chosen task by performing experiment and confirming the results by thermodynamic calculations raises interest in work and increases the level of internal motivation.