Exploring student\u27s conceptual understanding of heat and temperature

The study aimed to explore the conceptual understanding about heat and temperature of the fourth year students of the Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades (INCAT), Laoag City. Specifically, it attempted to determine the level of understanding and the common misconceptions of the students about of heat and temperature. A 25-item Thermal Concept Evaluation (TCE) test was used as an instrument. Forty-six students of INCAT were the respondents of this study. Written responses were collected and unstructured interviews were conducted to provide an in-depth analysis and interpretation of data gathered. Results revealed TCE scores way below the 75% mastery level of the concepts related to heat and temperature. The top five common misconceptions of the students were (a) temperature can be transferred, (b) hot and cold water in contact do not achieve thermal equilibrium, (c) water does not boil at high altitudes, (d) water that is barely boiling has a lower temperature compared to water boiling vigorously or for quite a long time and (e) steam is between 0°C to 100°C. It was found out that their varying misconceptions on heat, temperature, heat transfer and temperature change and the thermal properties of materials are rooted on the notion of the transferability of temperature