Describes an experiment presented to students as a problem in determining the stoichiometry of "copper iodide" to decide whether it is cuprous iodide or cupric iodide. The experiment illustrates stoichiometry principles, providing experiences with laboratory techniques and numerical computation. Detailed outline (written for student use) is…

"Anodizing Aluminum" (previously reported in this journal) describes a vivid/relevant laboratory experience for general chemistry students explaining the anodizing of aluminum in sulfuric acid and constrasting it to electroplating. Additions to this procedure and the experiment in which they are used are discussed. Reactions involved are…

Wiswesser Line Notation, a system for representing structural formulas by a single line of common symbols (numerals, capital letters, and three punctuation marks), is gaining acceptance as an effective indexing tool. The resulting notations, denoting specific structural fragments of a molecule, can be retrieved by humans or computer. (Author/JN)

A controversy has arisen as to whether instrument vendors are providing sufficient information about instrument-associated software to permit users to understand invisible data transformations going on inside of the equipment. Topics addressed include software protection, user modifications, and publishing software. (Author/JN)

Describes a laboratory experiment which introduces basic principles and experimental techniques of mass spectrometry for fourth year undergraduate (B.Sc.) students. Laboratory procedures, background information, and discussion of results are provided for the experiment in which the natural isotopic abundance of chlorine is determined. (Author/JN)

Describes an experiment using a high-speed preparative centrifuge and calculator to demonstrate effects of the frictional coefficient of a macromolecule on its rate of transport in a force field and to estimate molecular weight of the macromolecule using an empirical relationship. Background information, procedures, and discussion of results are…

A study sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences is currently under way. The study will examine today's challenges in chemistry, enhance chemists' awareness of societal issues and society's awareness of its dependence on chemistry, strengthen the base for science policy decisions, and consider human/material resources needed in chemistry.…

Describes a modified version of an experiment found in the laboratory manual "Chemistry" by Masterton, Slowinski, and Wolford (Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1980). Accurate results (normally less than four percent error) in less time were achieved when magnesium turnings were used instead of magnesium ribbon called for in the original experiment.…

Most students do not know how to determine the equilibrium constant and estimate the error in it from spectrophotometric data that contain experimental errors. This "dry-lab" experiment describes a method that may be used to determine the "best-fit" value of the 1:1 equilibrium constant to spectrophotometric data. (Author/JN)

Since the keeping of good records is essential in the chemistry laboratory, general guidelines for maintaining a laboratory notebook are provided. Includes rationale for having entries documented or witnessed. (Author/JN)

Discusses polynuclear metal clusters (containing two or more metal atoms bonded to one another as well as to nonmetallic elements), including their formation and applications. Studies of bonds between metal atoms reveal superconductors, organic-reaction catalysts, and photosensitive complexes that may play a role in solar energy. (JN)

Describes a simple and inexpensive pyrolysis gas chromatography (PGC) system constructed from items available in undergraduate institutions. The system is limited, accepting only liquid samples and pyrolyzing "on the fly" rather than statically and not allowing for reductive pyrolysis. Applications, experiments, and typical results are included.…

Describes a cooperative education program at Fairleigh Dickinson University's Rutherford (New Jersey) campus in which the time students spend working at a particular business/industry is increased from the traditional semester/quarter to nine-, seven-, and three-month periods. Advantages of the program are discussed. (JN)

Provides an alternative derivation of the Boltzmann distribution based on the minimization of the Helmholtz free energy. (CS)

Provides information concerning the Boltzmann distribution mentioning partition functions, spectroscopy, basic mathematics, and its relation to temperature distribution. (CS)