Recent science reform documents have called for incorporating authentic scientific discourse into science classes as engaging in discourse has shown to result in numerous benefits. Whether these benefits are observed in students depends upon the quality of the discourse in which they engage. However, characterizing the quality of student-student…

Describes an exercise in which the entropy maximum is illustrated with a chemical example. The exercise allows students to work with an isolated, chemically reactive system and shows that the entropy of a nonisolated system can pass through a maximum but does so at a nonequilibrium point. (JN)

Discusses misconceptions (in several thermodynamics statements) that seem to be particularly common among students who have finished a one-semester, junior-level course in chemical thermodynamics. When presented as true/false questions, these statements are usually judged true, although each requires at least one more condition to be satisfied.…

The concept of an ideal solution is ordinarily introduced in freshman chemistry by means of Raoult's Law, which states that the vapor pressure of a volatile component of a solution is proportional to its mole fraction. The relationship of this law to molecular size is discussed. (JN)

Provides a question (with the acceptable answer) designed to test students' ability to apply, and extend, the concept of thermodynamic work discussed in the classroom. The question was originally designed as a part of a take-home examination. (JN)

One of the most useful methods of understanding chemical equilibria is provided by Le Chatelier's principle. The relationships between this principle, temperature, and entropy are discussed. Tables with thermodynamic data for some net reactions commonly used to illustrate the principle and for reactions involving gases are included. (JN)

The entropy change for a reaction in aqueous solution can be evaluated as a combination of entropy factors. Valuable insight or understanding can be obtained from a detailed examination of these factors. Several entropy effects of inorganic chemical reactions are discussed as examples. (Author/JN)

Argues that previous definitions of work and heat are inappropriate. Presents new definitions that are formulated using experimental quantities, claiming that they apply equally well to reversible and irreversible processes. Indicates some of the problems with earlier definitions and applies the new definitions to the First Law of thermodynamics.…

Shows how to present thermodynamic concepts for reactions taking place in the "dry wall" (solids and gases), allowing chemists to study the making and breaking of bonds and the change in polar character of bonds. (JN)

Describes an interactive, screen-oriented, BASIC computer program for an IBM PC microcomputer with graphics capability. The program (which uses about 34K RAM and utilizes a menu format) represents a general method for calculating thermodynamic properties of chemical reactions from thermal data for reactants and products. (JN)

Provides background information designed to aid a physical chemistry student in using the virial equation of state in deriving expressions for other thermodynamic properties, such as writing the Joule and Joule-Thomson coefficients in terms of virial expansions. (CS)

Discusses the physical basis and current understanding of hydrophobic effects. The thermodynamic background of the effects, hydrophobic hydration, and hydrophobic interactions are described. Four existing controversies are outlined. (YP)

Describes an experiment for second year students designed to illustrate lectures devoted to electrochemistry and thermodynamics. (SL)

Problems of equilibria in condensed phases (particularly those involving solutes in dilute solutions) are encountered by students in their laboratory work; the thermodynamics of these equilibria is neglected in many textbooks. Therefore, several aspects of this topic are explored, focusing on pressure dependence and choice of standard state. (JN)

Kinetic versus thermodynamic control of product formation is discussed in undergraduate textbooks, and journal papers suggest suitable experiments to illustrate this concept. In rationalizing experimental observations, this paper offers a new alternative to that conventionally employed and provides students with an interesting exercise in…