Visualizing the Quantum Atom

Abstract

Students from the advanced high school classes up to the last universityyears have difficulties in grasping the notions involved in thedescription of the Quantum Atomic Model (QAM). Many researchers suggestthat using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) forvisualizing the QAM would improve students' understanding. An empiricalstudy was conducted with 20 first-year students of the Department ofPrimary Education. They interacted with two Internet-based softwarepackages, considered as representative 3D visualizations of the QAM. Forthe analysis of our results, a qualitative approach was taken by usingSOLO (Structure of the Observed Learning Outcomes) taxonomy. Our resultsindicated that software packages concerning the 3D representations ofQAM do not help students to understand scientific concepts and theatomic shape. The article proposes the use of Virtual RealityTechnologies for the creation of atomic visualizations based onscientific data that support conceptual change