Dear VIPEr colleagues,
I need to order a new model kit for general chem and my (much smaller) inorganic chemistry course. Every spring when both courses roll around to optical and geometric isomers of inorganic coordination compounds, I am frustrated and flummoxed about how to best demonstrate them. Particularly difficult are the chelating ligands.
I braved my son's 3rd grade classroom this week and brought in some dry ice and liquid N2 demos to couple with their science unit on solids, liquids, and gases. The kids LOVED it! And 3rd graders are such a cheap thrill after cynical college students.
Me: So what do you think is going to happen when I put this balloon in the liquid N2?
Kids: IT'S GONNA EXXXXPLOOOOOOOOOOOOODE!!!!!!! (all of them covering their ears)
The Atomic Trampoline Kit available from ICE: Guaranteed wow factor!
Memory Metal: I have a stash of 2" long wires so that I can give one to each student.
(to prove its paramagnetic and that simple Lewis structures don't accurately describe the bonding in O2?)
I'm doing it monday. wish me luck!