Proposes that preparative chemistry is an important and integral part of chemistry as a whole, and an excellent way to introduce students to descriptive chemistry. Provides an outline for students to follow for converting and transforming salts. Suggests a set of general guidelines for studying anion and cation transformations. (TW)

Describes two approaches for teaching inorganic reactions and syntheses without having students memorize specific reactions. Briefly indicates topics which should be covered in a junior-senior level course but not at the expense of eliminating teaching students how to make basic inorganic compounds. (Author/JN)

Argues that the field of inorganic chemistry is facing an identity crisis. Proposes that the current call for curriculum reform in inorganic chemistry is an opportunity to return to a stronger discipline. Presents a history of freshman chemical education and recommends a new program for inorganic chemistry. (TW)

Presents viewpoints of two teachers about the importance of kinetics and how it contributes to students' understanding of chemistry. Discusses reaction rates, concentration effects, and temperature effects related to an understanding of dynamic equilibrium, molecular structure, and control of reacting systems. (JM)

Advocates the teaching of quantum chemical ideas to undergraduates. Discusses the total failure of the electronegativity approach and comparison with other theoretical approaches. (CW)

Questions the continued misuse of Markovnikov's Rule in organic chemistry texts. Claims that the results of several studies that show the reaction to be more complex than it appears at first. Criticizes authors of new texts who have perpetrated the rule based on reading older texts. (TW)

Cites studies related to students' misconceptions about the particulate nature of matter. Stresses that a good understanding of these concepts is fundamental to the study of chemistry itself. Reports on a study of preservice elementary teachers views of the particulate nature of matter before instruction on the topic. (TW)

Differentiates between chemical nomenclature and the common ways that substances are named and described. Students should learn the chemical nomenclature so that they will be more observant and objective. Cites examples of student misconceptions based upon their own imagination and logic. (TW)

Questions the use of the Reactivity Selectivity Principle (RSP) by teachers and authors of texts in discussing organic reaction mechanisms. Provides some applications and failures of the use of the RSP, reviews some quantitative aspects of the RSP, and discusses some of the rationalization of the RSP failures. (TW)

Some of the persistent misinformation offered to secondary students while studying chemistry is discussed. A few cases where plausibility, knowingly or otherwise, has been offered to students instead of the accurate explanation are described. Concepts of charge, current, the mole, amount, rates, activation energy, sign convention in voltaic cells,…

Presents a brief discussion of rules for consistent chemical equations writing, intended for college chemistry students and instructors. (HM)

Three aspects of quantum mechanics in modern chemistry are stressed: the fundamental structure of quantum mechanics as a basis of chemical applications, the relationship of quantum mechanics to atomic and molecular structure, and the consequent implications for chemical education. A list of 64 references is included. (CW)

Provides reviews of four computer software packages designed for use in science education. Describes courseware dealing with a variety of tips for teaching physics concepts, chemical reactions in an aqueous solution, mitosis and meiosis, and photosynthesis. (TW)

Discusses the various ways that time is measured and expressed, noting several discrepancies between descriptives and their respective vocabularies. Suggests that a logarithmic time scale be adopted by chemists (such as one used in the experimental sciences) particularly when addressing very fast processes. (TW)

Following a rationale for focusing on this topic, a molecular and nonmathematical approach is used to explain the basics of the flow (rheological) behavior of polymer melts, emphasizing the behavior of melts compared to that of solutions. (JN)