/mething new from the pwt Gases and their Behavior "Gas Laws, Equilihrium, and t h e Commercial Synthesis of Nitric Acid: A Simple Demonstration," M. Dale Alexander, J. CHEM. EDUC., 48 [12], 838 (1971). This lecture demonstration utilizing very simple apparatus is capable of demonstrating several hasie principles; Boyle's Law, stoiehiometry, equilibrium, reaction reversibility, LeChatelier's principle and solubility of gases in water. Though it is semiquantitative, it allows for a great deal of predicting by the student observers. The chemical reactions involved are given by the following equations.
2N0
--
+ 0% 2NO2
2N02
N204
"An Experiment-Oriented Approach to Teaching t h e Kinetic Molecular Theory," Frank L. Wiseman, Jr., J. CHEM. EDUC.,56 [4] 233 (1979). Wiseman has written his paper as a result of using the inquirydiscovery approach to teach non-science majors some of the phenomena of the kinetic molecular approach. He describes his rationale and the activities that he has used. As the editor of this feature, I would make one comment or suggestion of interpretation. Wiseman uses the terms "inquiry or discovery approach" as being the same. I would separate the terms to inquiry referring to the asking of questions of nature, and discovery as obseruing the phenomena in question and responding to it by further inouirv. .. hence further discoverv. In other words.. usine- the processes of science.
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"The Early Development of Kinetic Theory," Robert Whitaker, J. CHEM. EDUC., 56 [5], 315 (1979).
D.
"The standard historical allusion to the kinetic theory of gases merely indicates that the theory was originated by Daniel Bernoulli in the early 18th century and eventually refined and extended by Clausius, Maxwell, and Boltzmann in the latter part of the 19th century. This paper reviews the nature of Bernoulli's work and other contributors to kinetic theorv orior to the work of Clausius. Maxwell. and Boltrmann. On? especially interesting and h i f i c a n t point is rhat the most outstanding work in this early perivd uau done hy a little-known Scotsman. John J. Waterston."
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1016
Journal of Chemical Education
Edited by: JOSEPH S. SCHMUCKLER Chairman of Science Education Temple University 345 Riner Hall Philadelphia. PA 19122
"A Raoult's Law Experiment For T h e General Chemistry Course: Manometry Without a Manometer," Frank E. Harris and Leonard K. Nash, J. CHEM. EDUC., 32 [ I l l , 575 (1955). Many simple (and basically similar) experiments on freezing-point depression and boiling-point elevation are to be found in laboratory manuals for general chemistry courses. As presented in most texthooks, however, these two eolligative regularities are derived from Raoult's Law as the more fundamental generalization. The authors have failed to discover in any lahorstori manual an experiment illustrating Raoult's law that is adapted to the skill of the average college freshman and to the verv limited s u o ~ l v of eouioment and maWriala normally available to such n student. Rak4ly. the prublern pored is rhat tdmaking a manometric mrdsurrmmr wrthuul a mnnmneter, and without the use of a vacuum system, quantities of mercury, etc. This report offers an account of an experiment that meets this problem-an experiment requiring a laboratory time of no more than three hours involving no difficult manipulations, and no principles that cannot be fullv understood bv the students. he experiment requires t h e w e of ether &d benzene, both of which are to be utilized with cautions. It would be interesting to have you try this experiment with a more "acceptable" (by today's standards) pair of chemicals.
..
~
~
. . ~ ~., ~.
"Ideal and Non-Ideal Gases: An Experiment with Surprise Value." Thomas P. C h e r ~ i c h J. . Chem. Educ.. 54 r61, 378 This experiment has a dramatic, curiosity arousing aspect to it. So says the author! And indeed it does. The experiment can he done durine a 1-hr class (one oeriad). It can be combined with other erperiments in the same lab period including a number of quantitative experiments of ideal gases.
"The Use of Coolant Sprays t o Enhance Heat Demonstrations." Stanlev K. Derhv, The Physics Teacher, 313 (Mav Mr. Derby lists a series of demonstrations that uses a coolant spray-- as a means of obtaining cooling temperatures. The ccolant is soraved . . on such items as a bimetallic strin. the Gav-Lussac Law demonstration apparatus, etc.
To t h e Reader: Refer t o last December's (1980) p. 885 column for further good ideas a n d references on gases and . their behavior.
