Discusses the need for students to develop understanding of science by designing their own laboratory experiments. Lists examples of concepts that can be taught through student-designed biology experiments. Also gives suggestions and guidelines to ensure that laboratory time is manageable and productive. (DH)

Describes how to modify the commercially available and inexpensive Griffin-Worden (Kontes) glass pressure reactors to permit sampling of homogeneous reactions, without changing the relative concentration of species present. All required parts necessary for the modification are commercially available. (JN)

Procedures for recovering silver and cobalt from laboratory wastes (including those resulting from student experiments) are presented. The procedures are generally applicable since only common, inexpensive laboratory reagents are needed. (JN)

Background information, procedures used, and typical results obtained are provided for an experiment in which the stability constants of unstable complexes are determined. (JN)

Suggests that the preparation of 2-bromopentane from 2-pentanol might represent an instructive addition to a published description of pheromone synthesis in that it is economical, extends the synthetic nature of the problem, and amplifies the mechanistic vagaries of the substitution reaction. Theory, procedures used, and safety considerations are…

Provides the rationale for and examples of experiments designed to test the stability of protons and bound neutrons. Also considers the unification question, cosmological implications, current and future detectors, and current status of knowledge on proton decay. (JN)

Describes an experiment designed to introduce physics majors to the triggered oscilloscope. The experiment uses an inexpensive, easily constructed generator which sends pulses down a long coaxial cable, thus providing useful waveforms. (DH)

Suggests using better materials in fire syringes to obtain more effective results during demonstrations which show the elevation in temperature upon a very rapid (adiabatic) compression of air. Also describes an experiment (using ignition temperatures) which introduces students to the use of thermocouples for high temperature measurements. (DH)

Proposes use of two experiments to sample and analyze contaminents in the laboratory. Experiments focus on estimating hydrogen sulfide levels in the general chemistry laboratory during qualitative analysis and determining the concentration of organic vapors associated with organic chemistry laboratories. (JN)

Provided are experiments to acquaint students with basic spectrophotometer components and their functions, to use the instrument in an openended-experiment, and to use Beer's Law in several different ways. In addition, the detectability (tolerance) of the spectrophotometer with visual detection limits is provided as an optional activity. (JN)

Background information, procedures, and results are provided for an experiment in which lead-210 is separated from bismuth-210 and polonium-210 by means of solvent extraction of their diethyldithiocarbamate complexes. The method involves a simple extraction procedure which allows complete separation of lead-210 from commercially available…

Although determination of phosphorus is important in biology, physiology, and environmental science, traditional gravimetric and colorimetric methods are cumbersome and lack the requisite sensitivity. Therefore, a derivative activation analysis method is suggested. Background information, procedures, and results are provided. (JN)

Background information, procedures, and results are provided for an experiment in which students: (1) construct an immobilized penicillinase electrode; (2) evaluate electron response as a function of penicillin concentration; and (3) study effects of solvent compositions, ionic strength, and equilibrium time upon electrode response. (JN)

Background, procedures, and results are provided for an experiment which examines, through electron spin resonance spectroscopy, complex species formed by cupric and 2,6-dihydroxybenzoate ions in aqueous solutions. The experiment is illustrative of several aspects of inorganic and coordination chemistry, including the identification of species…

Discusses a project in which college students equipped a house with three different types of solar energy collectors and two vertical axis windmills. (MLH)