Outlines chemistry labs used during the first quarter of study and advises about framing the course for students. Topics of the labs include observation; blind observation; measurement, determination of conversion factors, and percent error; taking and reporting data over time; and density. (DDR)

Focuses on the implementation of a peer-led team learning (PLTL) instructional approach for students in an undergraduate organic chemistry course and the evaluation of student outcomes over eight years. Compares students who experienced the student-centered instruction and worked in small groups facilitated by a peer leader to students who…

Introduces chemistry laboratories in which students have the opportunity to conduct laboratory projects in multiple sessions that promote planning, thinking, technical performance, and responsibility. Defines the process of experimentation and its applications to science laboratories and describes successful project applications. (YDS)

Describes an organic functional group card deck developed to help students visualize the structures of 13 common organic functional groups. (YDS)

Describes a literature-based approach that was used successfully at the University of Cincinnati in a one-quarter advanced undergraduate inorganic chemistry laboratory course. (KHR)

Described is research conducted on cluster-assembled matter. The differing character of these arrangements of matter are discussed. Methods used to produce clusters are reviewed. (CW)

Contained in this issue are 30 articles reviewing advances in different fields of analytical chemistry since 1980. Cumulatively, these reviews list over 1000 references. (CW)

The annual census of industrial employment, production workers, women, the workweek, scientists and engineers, chemical employment, wages, and productivity in the chemical industry is presented. Trends in the numbers of workers, productivity, and unit labor costs are illustrated in graphs. (CW)

A personal account of the events leading up to the realization that this was a bona fide species is presented. The application of the scientific method in the process of this research is emphasized. (CW)

Suggestions for the use of two different conventions in difference and rate terms in thermodynamics are made. It is shown how this approach lends itself to an accurate and concise discussion of function changes for a chemical reaction. (CW)

Provided is a rebuttal to an argument concerning the use of Ka values for water and the hydronium ion. The derivation of new values as a result of the treatment of the water as the solvent and using a Raoult's Law standard state is discussed. (CW)

Described are the design, construction, and uses of two pieces of laboratory equipment. Included are a multipurpose meter, "Calo-pH Meter," and a device for collecting water samples for determining dissolved oxygen content. (CW)

Presented is an experiment in which students recover almost 90 percent of the original lead chloride thus saving on costs of chemicals and disposal. Included are experimental procedures and a discussion of typical results. (CW)

Discussed is the preparation of synthetic brochantite from solution and a thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis study of the thermal decomposition of this compound. Other analyses included are chemical analysis and IR spectroscopy. Experimental procedures and results are presented. (CW)

Described is the derivation of the relationship between the pH measurement error and the resulting percentage error in hydrogen ion concentration including the use of variable activity coefficients. The relative influence of the ionic strength of the solution on the percentage error is shown. (CW)