Knowledge Levels of Pre-Service Science Teachers on Radioactivity

This study aims to determine the knowledge levels of pre-service science teachers about radioactivity. A knowledge test was administered to 56 pre-service science teachers participated in the General Chemistry I course in the fall semester of 2014-15 academic year. Papers derived from the pre-service science teachers were read and evaluated, and the responses were classified as “accurate", "misconception", "wrong" and "empty" categories for open-ended questions and the responses to the multiple-choice questions were classified as "right" and "wrong". The pre-service science teachers’ correct response rates were between 9 % (definition of “nuclear radiation” concept, question 15) and 86 % (radioactivity uses, question 14) in open-ended questions whereas in multiple choice questions the ratio of correct answers ranged from 5 % (concept definition and nuclear reactions, questions 21, 23 and 33) to 98 % (sample of concept, question 20). Students hold misconceptions on the radioactivity, warning picture, nuclear power plant (questions 1, 13, and 16); isotopes (question 4); natural and artificial nucleus reaction (question 6); age of the rocks (question 8); atomic bomb (question 10); hydrogen bomb (question 11) and core irradiation (question 15).