Modeling Chemical Kinetics Graphically

In literature on chemistry education it has often been suggested that students, at high school level and beyond, can benefit in their studies of chemical kinetics from computer supported activities. Use of system dynamics modeling software is one of the suggested quantitative approaches that could help to develop students’ knowledge about chemical kinetics and chemical equilibrium and to remediate alternative conceptions. The methodology, strengths, and weaknesses of the implementation of graphical system dynamics software for modeling chemical kinetics are presented in this paper. An extension of classical graphical modeling is proposed that is closer to how chemists think about chemical reactions and that could make it easier for students to investigate chemical kinetics, especially in cases of non-trivial reaction mechanisms. The proposed approach has also useful applications in other subject areas. Illustrative examples are given throughout the paper.