A new design for experiments in the general chemistry laboratory incorporates a "do-it-yourself" component for students. In this design, students perform proven experiments to gain experience with techniques for about two-thirds of a laboratory session and then spend the last part in the do-it-yourself component, applying the techniques to an…

Nearly 50 years ago, Henry Bent published his groundbreaking article in this "Journal" introducing the "global" formulation of thermodynamics. In the following years, the global formulation was elaborated by Bent and by one of the present authors. The global formulation of the first law focuses on conservation of energy and the recognition that…

A study of the vibrational spectroscopy of the cis and trans isomers of 1,2-dichloroethylene provides an excellent opportunity to learn the applications group theory in laboratories. The necessity of using infrared (IR) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy in making full vibrational assignments is illustrated.

Discusses student use of the computer with mathematical models and with laboratory simulations. Examples given. (DS)

Develops a compact minicell design in which the measured voltage is close to the desired emf. Notes student's observations for several cells are within 0.02V of the expected values. Presents numerous reasons for using miniware and semimicro qualitative analysis. Full experimental writeup is available from the authors. (MVL)