ERIC Number: EJ824931
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Jan
Pages: 3
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9584
EISSN: N/A
Introduction of Differential Scanning Calorimetry in a General Chemistry Laboratory Course: Determination of Heat Capacity of Metals and Demonstration of Law of Dulong and Petit
D'Amelia, Ronald P.; Stracuzzi, Vincent; Nirode, William F.
Journal of Chemical Education, v85 n1 p109-111 Jan 2008
Today's general chemistry students are introduced to many of the principles and concepts of thermodynamics. In first-year general chemistry undergraduate courses, thermodynamic properties such as heat capacity are frequently discussed. Classical calorimetric methods of analysis and thermal equilibrium experiments are used to determine heat capacities of unknown substances. Instrumental techniques that can routinely and easily be used for thermodynamic determinations are rarely mentioned or implemented in general chemistry. Today, it has become increasingly important to incorporate more modern techniques and instrumentation into the general chemistry curriculum to provide a more hands-on and applicable learning environment for the students. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a rugged, easy-to-use instrumental method for thermodynamic determinations. DSC has become more commonly used in the chemistry curriculum, finding its way into physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, and even in some general chemistry courses. The work described herein discusses the use of DSC in a general chemistry laboratory course to determine the specific heat capacities of metals and introduce the empirical law of Dulong and Petit. (Contains 1 figure and 2 tables.)
Descriptors: Thermodynamics, Chemistry, Laboratories, College Science, Undergraduate Students, Laboratory Experiments, Hands on Science, Laboratory Equipment, Metallurgy, Scientific Concepts, Science Instruction
Division of Chemical Education of the American Chemical Society. Subscription Department, P.O. Box 1267, Bellmawr, NJ 08099-1267. Tel: 800-691-9846; Tel: 856-931-5825; Fax: 856-931-4115; e-mail: jchemed@egpp.com; Web site: http://www.jce.divched.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A