Describes an experiment for determining the amount of BHA in cooking oil in an undergraduate level chemical technology program. (SL)

Discusses the current state of space-related research and manufacturing techniques. Focuses on the areas of spectroscopy, materials processing, electrochemistry, and analysis. Provides examples and classroom application for using these aspects of the space program to teach chemistry. (TW)

Provides a series of short articles about various uses of computers and courseware in teaching chemistry. Addresses topics such as a programming utility for animation, an organic synthesis program, a program for the allocation of organic qualitative analysis of unknowns, color images of molecules, and enhancing spreadsheet capabilities. (TW)

Outlines five simple and inexpensive methods for students to use in identifying unknown substances. Provides a table of general solubility data for ions, a suggested list of unknown substances that can be tested using the methods described, and some prelaboratory information. (TW)

Discusses some of the differences between margarine and butter, focusing on the chemical differences. Provides a brief historical overview of the development of both commodities. Describes the manufacture of butter and of margarine, and details the differences in chemical composition and nutritive contents. (TW)

Procedures are provided for a flame emission experiment which covers five areas in a single laboratory exercise. These areas are: (1) the flame emission technique; (2) calibration plots; (3) interferences; (4) indirect flame emission analysis; and (5) techniques of removing interferences. Typical results obtained are discussed. (JN)

Describes the construction of expert computer systems using artificial intelligence technology and commercially available software, known as an expert system shell. Provides two applications; a simple one, the identification of seven white substances, and a more complicated one involving the qualitative analysis of six metal ions. (TW)

Provides suggestions for two exercises designed to assist and involve students in understanding chemical concepts. Includes a laboratory experiment for determining the Ksp of a saturated solution of calcium sulfate and a scheme for naming oxyacids and their salts. (ML)

Reviews three experiments which can be used to introduce microscale techniques. Highlights the benefits and advantages of having undergraduate students prepare and purify derivatives on the small scale. (ML)

Describes efforts in devising a method for determining sulfate quickly and accurately from rainwater samples. Explains the design and operation of the apparatus and identifies the solutions for the testing. (ML)

Describes how a Polaroid camera can be modified for spectroscopic experiments. Reviews experimental procedures and discusses results that students can obtain within one normal laboratory period. Suggests additional experiments for investigating emission from other sources. (ML)

Describes the potential health hazards of using thioacetamide in introductory courses where students are involved in qualitative inorganic analysis. Describes the chemical as possessing carcinogenic, hepatotoxic, and mutagenic properties. Cautions that thioacetamide has caused various biochemical changes in the liver, and recommends limited uses…

Questions the use of the Reactivity Selectivity Principle (RSP) by teachers and authors of texts in discussing organic reaction mechanisms. Provides some applications and failures of the use of the RSP, reviews some quantitative aspects of the RSP, and discusses some of the rationalization of the RSP failures. (TW)

Describes a course in environmental chemistry offered at Dutchess Community College (New York) for students enrolled in the environmental conservation science program. Provides an outline of the 13 units comprising the laboratory portion of the course and discusses the one-hour/week lecture sessions. (TW)

Describes a simple undergraduate experiment in chemistry dealing with the "solvent effects" in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Stresses the importance of having students learn NMR spectroscopy as a tool in analytical chemistry. (TW)