Organic chemistry students (N=64) completed questionnaires requesting demographic data; data on ability, previous science courses, attitudes toward self when studying chemistry, attitudes toward chemistry; and preference, difficulty, and importance of chemistry compared to other courses. These data are used to develop a profile of the successful…

Discusses similarities between chemistry and three central concepts of quantum physics: (1) stationary states; (2) wave functions; and (3) complementarity. Based on these and other similarities, it is indicated that quantum physics is a chemical physics. (JN)

Describes the chemistry program in a high school which operates on a modular schedule. Each module is 20 minutes long, and there are 21 modules in a school day. Student success in the program is credited to the modular schedule and to use of learning activity packets (which are also described). (JN)

Discusses instructional strategies and activities designed to help students learn to recognize patterns and to create models to explain patterns. These include laboratory investigations and an exercise in which students are challenged to find the model used for the classroom seating arrangement. (JN)

Suggests that academic departments reshape the intellectual climate for chemistry education as one way to ensure the future of chemistry. Current practices in chemistry and possible benefits which may result if the system is modified are examined. These benefits include better public support and understanding of chemistry. (JN)

Discusses why polymer chemistry should be added to the general chemistry curriculum and what topics are appropriate (listing traditional with related polymer topics). Also discusses when and how these topics should be taught. (JN)

Describes a five-period experiment which: (1) integrates preparative and analytical techniques; (2) utilizes a photochemical reaction that excites student interest both from visual impact and as an introduction to photoinduced processes; (3) provides accurate results; and (4) costs less than $0.20 per student per laboratory session. (JN)

Background information (including optical properties of inorganic materials) and procedures are provided for an experiment which introduces students to preparation of a doped semiconductor; phosphorescence; gettering procedures; reducing atmospheres; and use of a high-temperature furnace with associated thermocouples, temperature controllers, and…

Describes an experiment which illustrates simple synthetic techniques, redox principles in synthesis reactions, interpretation of visible spectra using Orgel diagrams, and the spectrochemical series. The experiment is suitable for the advanced undergraduate inorganic chemistry laboratory. (JN)

Discusses the properties of surface-conducting glass and the chemical nature of surface-conducting stannic (tin) oxide. Also provides the procedures necessary for the preparation of surface-conducting stannic oxide films on glass substrates. The experiment is suitable for the advanced inorganic chemistry laboratory. (JN)

Although polarimeters that illustrate rotation of plane-polarized light by chiral solutions have been previously described, the polarimeter described in this paper has certain advantages when used in conjunction with an overhead projector. Instructions for constructing this polarimeter and its use in demonstrating the optical activity of sugars…

A high-impedance comparator suitable for monitoring the resistivity of a deionized or distilled water line supplying water in the 50 Kohm/cm-2 Mohm/cm range is described. Includes information on required circuits (with diagrams), sensor probe assembly, and calibration techniques. (JN)

A series of modules that can be used for gated integration, boxcar integration, timing, and analog data processing is available from Evans Associates. Describes four of these modules (gated integrator, digital timer, timer extender, and ratiometer) and how they can be combined into a full boxcar integrator in several ways. (JN)

Describes a birefringence apparatus that can be assembled for less than $100 and can be used to measure both the dimensions and dipole moments of many macromolecules. Details are given of the construction and manipulation of the apparatus. (JN)

Describes the procedures and equipment for an experiment on the adiabatic expansion of gases suitable for demonstration and discussion in the physical chemical laboratory. The expansion produced shows how the process can change temperature and still return to a different location on an isotherm. (JN)