Describes a semester-long study of microorganisms in an aquarium as performed by a beginning microbiology class. Gives results and conclusions drawn by students utilizing many ecological principles to interpret the results. Similar projects could be used from beginning high school through advanced college biology. (EB)

Discusses the chemical nature of gallstones and theories related to their formation. Also discusses experimental procedures used to identify chemical constituents of gallstones, indicating that cholesterol is found in almost 75 percent of stones examined. (JN)

Describes an experiment in which students: (1) synthesize tris(acetylacetonato)iron(III), tris(diethyldithiocarbamato)iron(III), and chlorobis(diethyldithiocarbmamato)iron(III); (2) are given a sample of potassium hexocyanoferrate(III); and (3) are then asked to measure the room temperature of these samples using the Guoy technique. Background…

Using different supporting electrolytes, the influence of complex-forming equilibria on migration velocities of strontium-90 and yttrium-90 can be demonstrated in this experiment. Includes procedures and materials needed. (SK)

Describes a set of undergraduate laboratory experiments which provide experience in deuteration and derivatization procedures applied to infrared spectroscopy. Basic skills in vacuum-line technique are also taught while measuring infrared spectra of deuterated solid samples and demonstrating the value of derivatization as an aid to interpreting…

Highlights procedures and results of an experiment using atomic absorption spectroscope to illustrate a fundamental chemical concept. The experiment demonstrates the dependence of the solubility product of lead sulfate on ionic strength in the presence of a slight excess of anion. (Author/JN)

Development of a student evaluation system for two preclinical dental laboratory courses is described. The system uses an analytic technique for identifying components of the evaluation system that contribute to and detract from the evaluation's reliability. Further refinements based on this technique are discussed. (Author/MSE)

Experimental procedures and typical student data/results are provided for an experiment determining the sodium (parts per million) in salt substitute with an error of a few percent. Problems encountered with the technique are addressed. (Author/JN)