Abstract:
This study investigated the conceptual understanding of thermodynamics of grade 12
students at Lera secondary and preparatory school. The aim is to investigate the students’
misconception about mechanical work and heat energy concepts. The study was conducted in
the academic year of 2011E.Con a total of 40 students composed of 15 females and 25 males
for conceptual understanding tests and 20 students composed of 14 males and 6 females for
interview. The design of the research was a case study. The selection of samples was simple
random sampling for the selection of the sampled students. The instruments of the study were
conceptual test, classroom activities and interview. The internal reliability coefficient for the
conceptual test was calculated to be 0.74. The result of the study revealed that there is high
degree of misconception in thermodynamics in students. It was found that the frequency of
the sample students score 75% less than 50% in the conceptual test. Physics teacher focuses
on computational skills rather than conceptual understanding of students. Therefore students
have lack of confidence to apply thermodynamics concepts on problem solving and
thermodynamic processes. Based on the findings the implication and recommendation aremade.
