A deionizer (Barnstead) attached to a dedicated faucet is used to produce the deionized water used in the teaching laboratories and research. The experiment timer switch was a 60-min spring-wound timer, Intermatic, available at home improvement centers.

The procedure to estimate the carbon-carbon bond distance in the naphthalene molecule is described. The procedure is easily performed and can be done either at home or in the classroom, with the restriction that the mass of the naphthalene must be determined using an analytical or a precise balance.

The applications of a Pasco CI-6532 pressure sensor used in conjunction with a datalogger to monitor the liberation of carbon dioxide in the reaction CaCO3(s) + 2H(super +)(aq) --> Ca(super 2+)(aq) + CO2 (g) + H2O(I) are described. The method serves for the determination of the chemical kinetics of the reaction and also can be extended to…

A two-step oxidation-reduction sequence that incorporates several important aspects of synthesis into introductory organic chemistry laboratories is described. This experiment is an excellent vehicle for introducing elements of discovery and intermediate yield improvement strategies.

An experiment using a variable volume cell is presented where students actively control and directly observe the phase equilibrium inside the view cell. Measuring and exploring P-V-T phase behavior through dielectric constant measurements conveys the important concept that solvent behavior can be changed continuously in the sc fluid state.

The construction of a simple and inexpensive water-jacketed cuvette for the Spectronic 20 is described. This cuvette is utilized to determine the activation energy of the reaction between crystal violet and hydroxide ion spectrophotomerically.

The piezoelectric materials generate electricity or electric polarity in dielectric crystals when subjected to an applied voltage. The nanorings and nanobows are presented that can be used in nanoscale applications such as sensors, transducers, and electromechanical coupling devices.

Preparing youngsters for an aging society requires teachers who keep pace with health science research. The Stealth Gerontology [TM] program educates teachers regarding aging-related issues. The design and assessment of the program are reported in this paper. Teachers attended sessions including direct instruction and hands-on participation (e.g.,…

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between laboratory behavioral measured impulsivity (using the Immediate and Delayed Memory Tasks) and suicidal attempt histories. Three groups of adults were recruited, those with either: no previous suicide attempts (Control, n = 20), only a single suicide attempt (Single, n = 20), or…

Much attention has been given to Newton's argument for Universal Gravitation in Book III of the "Principia". Newton brings an impressive array of phenomena, along with the three laws of motion, and his rules for reasoning to deduce Universal Gravitation. At the centre of this argument is the famous "moon test". Here it is the empirical evidence…

This article describes OSHA procedures for handling Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories. The Laboratory Standard requires a Chemical Hygiene Plan to address all aspects of working with hazardous chemicals. This includes dealing with chemical spills. Chemical spill kits or "spill crash carts" need to be available in case…

Diffraction gratings are often used in the laboratory to determine the wavelength of laser light. What happens to the spots on the screen if the grating is rotated in this set-up? The answer is nontrivial and instructive.

It is no secret that secondary school writing centers offer many benefits to the schools and students they serve. However, one benefit that is unfortunately often overlooked is the opportunity for the writing center to serve as a connecting point for students, tutors, faculty, and staff to collaborate with writing centers at the college and…

The development, implementation, evolution, and evaluation of a research-based laboratory course which was created as an alternative to more traditional laboratory instruction is described. The course was able to engage the students in devising and executing their own experiments, the satisfaction of determining the outcomes of those experiments,…

In a culture or society with high collectivism, contingent orientation and constrained autonomy are the prominent characteristics of adolescents' self-construal. This article examined whether Taiwanese adolescents' contingency and autonomy were associated with their prevalent preferences for buffet consumption. Findings in a panel survey indicated…