Describes an undergraduate organic chemistry experiment on the photochemical isomerization of maleic to fumaric acid. Background information, chemical reactions involved, and experimental procedures are included. (JN)

Describes construction of two flashing light sources: an adjustable-rate battery-powered flasher and a neon tube powered by a 60-hertz electrical outlet. Both devices may be used for a variety of activities, including studies of free-falling object, pendulum period variation, and acceleration due to gravity. (JN)

Conductiometric titrations can be used to simulate subduction-setting volcanism. Suggestions are made as to the use of this technique in teaching volcanic mechanisms and geochemical indications of tectonic settings. (JN)

Describes an experiment designed to teach temperature programed gas chromatography (TPGC) techniques and importance of derivatizing many classes of substrated to be separated. Includes equipment needed, procedures for making trimethylsilyl derivatives, applications, sample calculations, and typical results. Procedure required one, three-hour…

Describes a laboratory designed to give students practical experiences with experimental phenomena discussed in lectures, focusing on laboratory organization and typical experiment. In addition to a list of experiments, three exercises are discussed: fluorescence/laser, ferromagnetic domains, and thermal population (which uses PET computer…

Electrography is a technique in which unknown metals are identified by the precipitates they form with known electrolytes. The technique illustrates both electrochemistry and precipitation reactions. Describes the technique, suggesting its use in science and forensic science classes. (JN)

Describes activities (demonstrations/experiments) used to introduce history of periodic properties--without electrons, orbitals, filling shells, or any conception of atoms beyond Dalton's model. Activities supplement first chapter in a currently available chemistry text. Indicates potential danger of experiments if proper safety precautions are…

Describes the construction of a small (portable), inexpensive, and easy to build Foucault pendulum. Includes photographs of the apparatus, a schematic of the electrical circuit used, and discussion of the amount of accuracy to be expected during classroom investigation. (JM)

Presents an experimental comparison of the efficacy of two neutron sources under conditions commonly used in laboratory experiments for demonstrating neutron activation of liquid samples. (Author)

Four ways in which microcomputers can be turned into laboratory instruments are discussed. These include adding an analog/digital (A/D) converter on a printed circuit board, adding an external A/D converter using the computer's serial port, attaching transducers to the game paddle ports, or connecting an instrument to the computer. (JN)

Electrochemical studies can give insights into the chemical aspects of enzymatic and in vivo redox reactions of naturally occurring organic compounds. This is illustrated by studies of the electrochemical oxidation of the purinem uric acid. The discussion is limited to information at pH 7 or greater. (JN)

Describes a procedure which identifies an experiment as unreasonably hazardous or indicates precautions to be taken rendering the experiment acceptable for assignment to undergraduate students. The procedure follows in parallel form the procedure used to prepare chemical labels. (Author/JN)

Ten computer programs (available from authors) and a noncomputer calculation of the electron in one-dimensional, one-Bohr box are described, including programs for analytical chemistry, space group generation using Pascal, mass-spectral search system (Applesoft), microcomputer-simulated liquid chromatography, voltammetry/amperometric titrations,…

Presents information, laboratory procedures, and results of an undergraduate experiment in which activity coefficients for a two-component liquid-vapor system are determined. Working in pairs, students can perform the experiment with 10 solutions in a given three-hour laboratory period. (Author/JN)

Describes advanced undergraduate laboratory exercise examining the dependence of the rate constants and the instantaneous concentrations with the nature and energy content in a gas-phase complex reaction. Computer program (with instructions and computation flow charts) used with the exercise is available from the author. (Author/JN)