The Magic Furnace: The Search for the Origins of Atoms
By Marcus Chown
Oxford University Press, 2001
240 pages, ISBN 0-19-514305-1
By Marcus Chown
Oxford University Press, 2001
240 pages, ISBN 0-19-514305-1
Some interactive Jmol models of some common crystal systems and some geological systems.
This is just a little worksheet that I use in a General Chemistry course to teach Gibbs Free Energy calculations and the idea of a coupled reaction, while foreshadowing ideas from metallurgy and electrochemistry (sacrificial reductants, entropy-driven smelting, fuels as reductants) for the end of the course when I generally address these.
This is a list of Nobel Prizes that in my opinion were either in Inorganic Chemistry or in an area that has impacted Inorganic Chemistry. I pass this out to students on the first day of class when we are talking very generally about what inorganic chemistry is all about. This could be extended into a longer discussion at this point or at a later point on one or more of the prizes. For example, later in the semester I have them read the Nobel Prize address of Alfred Werner. This helps to inform their lab work and introduces coordination chemistry, which we have not yet discussed in lectu
The reaction chemistry of aqueous copper(II) ions with ammonia is commonly used in both general chemistry and inorganic chemistry texts to illustrate the equilibria of complex ions in solution. Although the system initially seems simple, further analysis of the chemical species involved shows that it is in fact quite complicated. First of all, ammonia is a weak base and its basic equilibrium reaction must be taken into account. Second, although the aquated copper(II) ion is the most prevalent ion in solution before ammonia is added, this species is itself a weak acid. Third, a series of
This is an assignment designed to help students begin to reflect on professional ethics of scientific practice. I have used this in a freshman and a senior seminar after 2-3 days of discussion of what professional ethics is and how one goes about choosing a course of action in an ethical dilemma. I use:
This is G. N.
Simply take a large dish, and fill it with liquid mercury. Float things on the mercury. Rocks, iron nails, witches, lead shot, you name it. It's best to start with the least ridiculously dense things, and build up to lead shot.
WARNING: Mercury is way bad for you, kids. Use appropriate caution.