Discusses: (1) the architecture of expert systems; (2) features that distinguish expert systems from conventional programs; (3) conditions necessary to select a particular application for the development of successful expert systems; (4) issues to be resolved when building expert systems; and (5) limitations. Examples of selected expert systems…

Examines some of the considerations involved in setting up a typical oxygen/organic reaction. These considerations (including protection for personnel/equipment, adequate ventilation, reactor design, maximum reactor charge, operating procedures, and others) influence how the reaction is to be conducted and what compromises the scientist must…

Presents a method for solving problems related to gas laws, the mole concept, molarity, heats of reactions, and other chemical concepts. Also presents another method which was devised to simplify the teaching of stoichiometric calculations using conversion factors. (JN)

Faculty from various disciplines were interviewed to determine their attitudes toward computer-based education (CBE). Experience with computer grading of tests and use of objective tests, coupled with the fact that two-thirds of the faculty members had direct/indirect experience with CBE, indicate a base of knowledge conducive to use of CBE. (JN)

Presents highlights of the Seventh International Conference on Chemical Education as reported by a high school chemistry teacher who attended the conference. Tables showing the secondary school structure in Belgium, China, England/Wales, France, Kenya, South Africa and Switzerland are included. (JN)

The standard addition titration is a precise and rapid method for the determination of the acidity in rain or snow samples. The method requires use of a standard buret, a pH meter, and Gran's plot to determine the equivalence point. Experimental procedures used and typical results obtained are presented. (JN)

Reports on the adaptation of a kinetic method of analysis of metal ions for use in an undergraduate teaching laboratory. Background information, procedures used, and analysis of typical results obtained are provided. (JN)

Background information, procedures used, and typical results obtained are provided for an experiment that examines the ability of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to distinguish between structural isomers via resonance multiplicities and chemical shifts. Reasons for incorporating the experiment into organic, analytical, or physical chemistry…

Describes the use of two interactive computer programs in a college chemistry course. The first is a commercially-available simulation program (for Apple microcomputers with game paddles) which demonstrates gas laws. The second is a teacher-developed molecular bonding simulation program. (JN)

The results of manual and online searching are compared during a unit on online chemical information retrieval taught at Hebrew University. Strategies and results obtained are provided for student searches on the synthesis of vitamin K(3) from 2-methylnaphthalene and polywater. (JN)

Describes a credit/no credit course which focuses on career options in chemistry. The course (consisting of 15 one-hour seminar-type sessions) includes guest speakers for several sessions and an emphasis (in introductory sessions) on graduate school in chemistry, the chemical industry, resumes, and interviews. Also briefly describes an internship…

Background information and procedures are provided for a lecture experiment which uses indicators to illustrate the concept of differing buffer capacities by titrating acetic acid/sodium acetate buffers with 1.0 molar hydrochloric acid and 1.0 molar sodium hydroxide. A table with data used to plot the titration curve is included. (JN)

Oxidation kinetics in metals and the role defects play in diffusion-controlled reactions are discussed as background for a junior/senior-level experiment in the physical or inorganic chemistry laboratory. Procedures used and typical data obtained are provided for the experiment. (JN)

Examines the vocabulary and chemistry of magnetic- and optical-disk storage technologies as well as their applications to the analytical laboratory. This information will allow chemists to select the proper disk systems for their laboratories and to evaluate vendors' claims. (JN)

Describes techniques in which students learn to: (1) create elemental "fairy tales" based on the geochemical behavior of elements and on imagination to integrate concepts; (2) to visually eliminate problems of bias; and (3) to utilize multiple working hypotheses as a basis for testing concepts of classification and distinguishing…