Discusses research indicating that presenting students with large amounts of information while their concepts are primitive prevents them from grouping/handling the very information they need to make concepts develop. Reducing the load or providing strategies to help students group/sequence the load are recommended. (JN)

Presented is a report of the American Chemical Society's Polymer Core Course Committee. Includes committee activities, list of eight objectives (such as determining general course topics, evaluating available texts), and a discussion of how several of these objectives were accomplished. (JN)

Lists polymer chemistry topics and depth of topics to be covered in general chemistry courses. Also lists topics using polymers as tools for delivering necessary concepts, discussing 11 topic areas. List of readings, information on textbook evaluation, and illustrative examination questions are included. (JN)

Describes course on applications of computers to chemistry, computer-assisted instruction laboratory on measurement/error for high school chemistry, sample dispenser-computer grading system for quantitative analysis courses, and computer programs on nomenclature/preparations/reactions and least-squares refinement of pseudorotation parameters in a…

Describes a method used to define major areas in individualizing a high school chemistry course and modules that emphasize competency in investigative process skills, basic concepts, and reading comprehension for each module. Includes flow chart of modules, flow chart of student learning path, and a sample module on electron clouds. (JN)

Rationale, objectives, and instructional strategies for a directed study course on spectrophotometry are provided. Descriptions of three experiments and four student research projects are also provided. Objectives, laboratory procedures, advantages, and disadvantages for the experiments and projects are included. (JN)

Suggested guidelines and representative experiments for a one-semester introductory polymer chemistry laboratory course are provided. Experiments, which provide students with both synthetic and characterization experiences, require a minimum of special equipment and student skills. Includes list of 83 experiments, demonstrations, and reference…

Presented are procedures for demonstrating the production of color oscillations when nitric acid is added to a formic acid/concentrated sulfuric acid mixture. Because of safety considerations, "Super-8" home movie of the color changes was found to be satisfactory for demonstration purposes. (JN)

An autocatalytic reaction is one in which the reaction is catalyzed by its own products. Materials needed and procedures used to demonstrate an autocatalytic reaction with bromethymol blue indicator are provided. (JN)

Out of 70 answers to questions concerning the chemistry involved in an "orange tornado" demonstration, only 10 were partially correct, others totally wrong or showing major errors in understanding, comprehension, and/or reasoning. Demonstration and reactions involved, selected incorrect answers, and a substantially correct answer are discussed.…

Describes an experiment on the qualitative analysis of several over-the-counter analgesic tablets. Background information, procedures used (including high pressure liquid chromatography), and typical student results are included. (JN)

An experiment involving preparation of ice cream is conducted after students complete units on solutions, atomic structure, molecular architecture, and bonding. The laboratory gives practical illustration of relation of physical properties to bond type and solution theory developed. Materials needed, procedures used, and questions asked are…

The purpose of constructing labels is to communicate those scientific facts related to hazards and to select and describe the reasonable precautions that should be taken to prevent otherwise unforseeable harm. Recent developments in the use of combined numeric and pictorial symbols in chemical label construction are described. (JN)

Discusses principles and definitions related to the thermodynamics of dilute solutions. Topics considered include dilute solution, Gibbs-Duhem equation, reference systems (pure gases and gaseous mixtures, liquid mixtures, dilute solutions), real dilute solutions (focusing on solute and solvent), terminology, standard states, and reference systems.…

Provides a rigorous but straightforward thermodynamic treatment of the temperature dependence of the solubility of solids in liquids that is suitable for presentation to undergraduates, suggesting how to approach the qualitative aspects of the subject for freshmen. Considers unsolvated/solvated solutes and Le Chatelier's principle. (JN)