Dennis DeMattia, Thomas Gruhn,' and Mel Gorman
University of San Francisco San Francisco, California 94117
Indirect Calorimetry by Computer
in the General Chemistry Course
A
computer program has been prepared for use in an experiment in the first year chemistry course. The principle objective is a stimulation of student interest in the applications and potential of computing techniques in chemistry. This is achieved, we feel, by direct student participation. The program is written in conjunction with a laboratory determination of the solubility curve of borax.2 The procedure followed is that given by P ~ w e l l . The ~ solubility of borax is determined by analysis of samples decanted from saturated solutions a t a number of different temperatures. Standard hydrochloric acid (with methyl orange as the indicator) is used to titrate the tetraborate ion according to the reaction B40a( 0 H ) P + 2Ht + 3H10 = 4HsBOs The dissolution reaction is presumed to be NasB,Os (OH)
