Explores different solubility processes and related issues, including the second law of thermodynamics and ideal mixtures, real liquids, intermolecular forces, and solids in liquids or gases in liquids. (Contains 22 references.) (ASK)

Molecular modeling by computer is used to display stereochemistry, molecular orbitals, structure of transition states, and progress of reactions. Describes new ideas for teaching 1H NMR spectroscopy using computer modeling. (Contains 12 references.) (ASK)

Presents an activity that demonstrates the effectiveness of flame retardants--substances added to combustible materials to slow down or hinder burning--that can be introduced when discussing combustion reactions or during a practical or everyday chemistry unit. (ASK)

Surface tension is a fundamental obstacle in the spontaneous formation of bubbles, droplets, and crystal nuclei in liquids. Describes a simple overhead projector demonstration that illustrates the power of surface tension that can prevent so many industrial processes. (ASK)

Rx values in thin-layer chromatography (TLC) depend strongly on the solvent saturation of the atmosphere above the liquid in the TLC developing chamber. Presents an experiment illustrating the potentially dramatic effects on TLC Rx values of not equilibrating the solvent atmosphere during development. (ASK)

Describes strategies to introduce students in a first year chemistry course to the gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer (GC-MS) and provides students with hands-on experiences in its use. (ASK)

Determines through an historical review of the literature some of the most effective ways to teach manipulative skills in chemistry. Reviews chemical education journals, laboratory manuals, early American chemistry textbooks, analytical chemistry texts, and science education textbooks and journals that address instructional methods for teaching…

Describes a chemistry course titled "Writing for Chemists", a junior-level course required of all chemistry and biochemistry majors at California State University (CSU) that covers all of the sections for writing both primary and secondary papers in the chemical sciences as well as the process of literature searching in both computer databases and…

Revisits the basics of Piaget's theory, a psychological theory of intellectual development. Discusses Piaget's theory from the perspective of learning science, especially chemistry. (ASK)

Reports on a qualitative investigation of the effects of integrating concept maps into freshman-level general chemistry curriculum. Indicates that students in the experimental section had significantly more links and nodes in their concept maps than students in the traditional section. There were no significant differences between the two sections…

Assesses the performance and attitudes of students learning organic chemistry from an off-campus site in comparison to the performance and attitudes of students learning organic chemistry in a traditional classroom. Indicates no statistically significant differences between the groups. (Contains 17 references.) (ASK)

Examines how students completing a two-semester organic sequence understand, explain, and apply hydrogen bonding to determine the physical attributes of molecules. Suggests that some students completing what is typically their second year of college-level chemistry still possess misconceptions about hydrogen bonds. (Contains 21 references.) (ASK)

Highlights and provides information about the grant awarded to Bismarck State College, Bismarck, North Dakota by the National Science Foundation (NSF). (ASK)

Presents an overview of some of the changes that have been occurring in undergraduate mathematics education. Aims to increase awareness among chemists of what is happening within mathematics and foster greater communication among educators in these disciplines. (Contains 13 references.) (ASK)

Summarizes and revises the report given to the Committee on the Undergraduate Program in Mathematics of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) who is developing new guidelines for instruction in mathematics by a group of chemists at Macalester College in order to list specific knowledge and skills in mathematics needed by chemistry…