Five years of longitudinal data for general chemistry student assessments at the University of Georgia have been analyzed using item response theory (IRT). Our analysis indicates that minor changes in question wording on exams can make significant differences in student performance on assessment questions. This analysis encompasses data from over…

Large curricular changes of the 1960s brought about by the ChemStudy and Chemical Bond Approach initiatives were generally successful, but they also created learning problems. These were well recognized by a series of surveys in 1971. Recent surveys (2008) show that the same chemical difficulties for learners are still present in most "modern"…

For most molecules molecular orbital theory predicts a ground-state electronic configuration that is useful for rationalizing relative bond lengths, magnetic properties, and so forth. However, when electron correlation is a dominant consideration, the ground-state configuration may provide a poor representation of the system. In such cases,…

A general example of a delocalization system associated with a higher energy than the localized one, which suggests that it is wrong to consider delocalization as equivalent to resonance stabilization, is presented. The meaning of resonance energy as it appears in valence bond theory is described as the lowering of the calculated ground-state…

A simple method is proposed based on energies obtained with the Huckel theory to compute the weights of the structures. The Huckel-Lewis CI technique extends to the Huckel theory the field of the resonance between Lewis structures.

This paper provides an example of an innovative science activity used in a science methods course for future elementary teachers at a small university in northeastern Turkey. The activity aims to help prospective elementary teachers understand kinetic-molecular theory in a simple way and to expose these preservice teachers to an innovative…

A concise roadmap for using computational chemistry programs (i.e., Gaussian 03W) to predict the color of a molecular species is presented. A color-predicting spreadsheet is available with the online material that uses transition wavelengths and peak-shape parameters to predict the visible absorbance spectrum, transmittance spectrum, chromaticity…

Calls for reform in graduate education have emerged from professional societies, educational research, and foundations, with particular concern for how graduate students are prepared for their future professional environments. This qualitative research study explores current issues in Ph.D. chemistry education, including how U.S. chemistry…

The role of d-orbital hybridization in the chemistry curriculum and a qualitative description of bonding in SF[subscript 6] are described. The sp[cubed]d[squared] hybridization model found to be helpful in understanding the chemical phenomenon of chemical bonding in SF[subscript 6] and are not applicable to all situations.

Measured magnetic susceptibilities of paramagnetic substances must typically be corrected for their underlying diamagnetism. This correction is often accomplished by using tabulated values for the diamagnetism of atoms, ions, or whole molecules. These tabulated values can be problematic since many sources contain incomplete and conflicting data.…

This experiment allows students to use [to the first power]H NMR to directly compare the relative initial rates of substitution of the benzylic and non-benzylic [alpha] hydrogens of [beta]-tetralone and correlate their findings with the predictions made by resonance theory. The experiment demonstrates that the benzylic hydrogens undergo [alpha]…

The philosophy of chemistry has offered new tools that can guide educators in deciding how to balance descriptive and theoretical chemistry. The philosophy of chemistry has positive effects on the way that chemistry is taught and learned and it also leads educators to reach a better understanding of their own scientific discipline.

Protein folding is an exploding area of research in biophysics and physical chemistry. Here, we describe the integration of several techniques, including absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements, to probe important topics in protein folding. Cytochrome c is used as a model…

Because interest in catalysts is widespread, the kinetics of catalytic reactions have been investigated by widely diverse groups of individuals, including chemists, engineers, and biologists. This has lead to redundancy in theories, particularly with regard to the topics of homogeneous, heterogeneous, and enzyme catalysis. From a pedagogical…

Revisits the basics of Piaget's theory, a psychological theory of intellectual development. Discusses Piaget's theory from the perspective of learning science, especially chemistry. (ASK)