Discusses the fact that although most historians of science attribute the formulation of the law of conservation of matter in chemical reactions to Antoine Lavoisier at the end of the eighteenth century, several earlier researchers had already assumed this law in their work. These researchers include Joseph Black, Henry Cavendish, M. V. Lomonosov,…

Describes an undergraduate physical chemistry experiment in which an azeotropic mixture is studied using the vapor pressures of the components as functions of temperature and the azeotropic composition and temperature at one pressure. Discusses in detail the mathematical treatment of obtained thermodynamic data. (MLH)

Describes an open-ended experiment involving a bioinorganic system that provides the student a direct link between thermodynamics and kinetics. It utilizes a rapid reaction technique and requires one to clearly understand the relationship of experimental observable (absorbance) to a mechanism. (GS)

Discusses the principle of nonisothermal kinetics and some of the factors involved in such reactions, especially when considering the reliability of the kinetic parameters, compared to those of isothermal conditions. (GA)

Describes a machine which demonstrates the statistical bases of chemical equilibrium, and in doing so conveys insight into the connections among statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, Maxwell Boltzmann statistics, statistical thermodynamics, and transition state theory. (GA)

Describes a simple chemistry laboratory experiment which allows students to calculate thermodynamic values. (SL)

Describes an experiment giving precise results of solubility as a thermodynamics property. (SL)

Presents a mathematical and abstract approach to teaching the second law of thermodynamics in physical chemistry that is not used in any undergraduate physical chemistry text to date. (CW)

Background information, procedures used, and typical results obtained are provided for an experiment in which gas chromatography is used to prove the application of quantum symmetry restrictions in homonuclear diatomic molecules. Comparisons between experimental results and theoretical computed values show good agreement, within one to two…

Illustrates the mathematical relationships between the enthalpy, free energy, and entropy of a chemical reaction using the first and second laws of thermodynamics. (MLH)

Describes a laboratory experiment in which an equilibrium radioimmunoassay (RIA) is used to estimate thermodynamic parameters such as equilibrium constants. The experiment is simple and inexpensive, and it introduces a technique that is important in the clinical chemistry and research laboratory. Background information, procedures, and results are…

Provides a rigorous but straightforward thermodynamic treatment of the temperature dependence of the solubility of solids in liquids that is suitable for presentation to undergraduates, suggesting how to approach the qualitative aspects of the subject for freshmen. Considers unsolvated/solvated solutes and Le Chatelier's principle. (JN)

Thermochemical cycles are used to decide which hypothetical compounds might exist and, if not, what is the factor that condemns them to non-existence. Hypothetical compounds of rare gases provide examples of the approach with added historical interest that thermochemical considerations led to prediction and demonstration that XePtF-6 was stable.…

Described is a demonstration utilized to measure the heat of vaporization using the Clausius-Clapeyron equation. Explained is that when measurement is made as part of a demonstration, it raises student's consciousness that chemistry is experimentally based. (Author/DS)

Discusses and compares the use of the word "reversibility" as it applies to thermodynamics, to equilibrium studies, and to kinetics. Discusses misuse of the word "irreversible" and its elimination from descriptions of chemical reactions. (CS)