Discusses how to address the concept of chemical equilibrium through the use of thermodynamic activities. Describes the advantages of setting up an equilibrium constant in terms of activities and demonstrates how to approximate those activities by practical measures such as partial pressures, mole fractions, and molar concentrations. (TW)

Proposes a two-stage experimental approach that combines preparative chemistry and polymer characterization. Describes the simple organic synthesis of a plasticizer, the dioctylphthalate, and its direct use in the preparation of a styrene/divinylbenzene network copolymer. Discusses how to evaluate the physical properties of the resulting plastic.…