ConcepTest: Identifying Oxides

ConcepTest questions by David McConnell, David Steer , Walter Borowski, Jeffrey Dick, Annabelle Foos, Jeffrey Knott, Alvin Konigsberg, Michelle Malone, Heidi McGrew, Kathie Owens, and Stephen Van Horn
This material was originally created for Starting Point:Introductory Geology
and is replicated here as part of the SERC Pedagogic Service.

Question:

Which of the following formulas represents an oxide?

a. FeS2
b. KAlSi3O8
c. Fe2O3
d. CaSO4 · 2H2O

Student Responses:

The correct response is C.
Percentage of students choosing this answer. (% Before Discussion/% After Discussion):

a. FeS2 (6%/3%)
b. KalSi3O8 (10%/3%)
c. Fe2O3 (56%/84%)
d. CaSO4 · 2H2O (28%/10%)

in a small (< 60 students) environmental geology class

If you would like to help acquire more Before and After statistics for this example, please contact the authors (see link at top of page).

References and Notes: