Describes an undergraduate experiment in which the structure of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (I) is analyzed and interpreted using Carbon-13 magnetic resonance. (MLH)

Describes a science activity in which sixth-grade students, using tookpicks and spherical breakfast cereals to construct molecular models, discovered that compounds with the same molecular formulas can have different structural formulas and therefore different physical properties (isomerism). (JR)

Exercises are developed which demonstrate the versatility of modern spectroscopic methods and the variety of structural information which can be obtained. (DF)

Describes common artificially produced organized media such as colloids, surfactants, and polymers and their usefulness in studying complex biochemical processes. Discusses selected recent photophysical and photochemical exploitations of these systems, including artificial photosynthesis, in situ generation of colloidal gold and platinum,…

Discusses the confusion and erroneous conclusions that can result from the overuse and misuse of the circle notation to represent aromaticity in polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons. Includes nature of the problem, textbook treatment, and a possible compromise method of representation. (Author/JN)

Describes an experiment providing an experimental introduction to vibrational spectroscopy and experience in using an elementary vacuum line. The experiment, using a gas cell charged with methanol, is completed in a three-hour laboratory period and is directed toward understanding vibrational spectroscopy rather than the diagnostic value of the…

Mechanical properties (stress-strain relationships) of polymers are reviewed, taking into account both time and temperature factors. Topics include modulus-temperature behavior of polymers, time dependence, time-temperature correspondence, and mechanical models. (JN)

Demonstrates how the incorporation of relatively low amounts of ionic material into nonionic polymers affects the structure and properties of these polymers. The extent to which properties are altered depends on dielectric constant of the backbone, position and type of ionic group, counterion type, ion concentration, and degree of neutralization.…

The application of molecular mechanics (a nonquantum mechanical method for solving problems concerning molecular geometries) to calculate force fields for n-butane and cyclohexane is discussed. Implications regarding the stable conformations of the example molecules are also discussed. (Author/SK)

Surveys the research of scientists like Joule, Kelvin, Maxwell, Clausius, and Boltzmann as it comments on the basic conceptual issues involved in the development of a more precise kinetic theory and the idea of a kinetic atom. (Author/SK)

Presented are forms of harmonic oscillator attraction and Coulomb wave functions which can be explicitly constructed and which lead to numerical results for the energy eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the atomic system. The Schrodinger equation and its solution and specific cases of muonic atoms illustrating numerical calculations are included.…

It is shown that exact pseudopotentials for excited states of hydrogen atoms can be derived. A very simple, novel application of pseudopotential method which displays vividly some of its limitations is presented. (Author/GA)

Develops the concept of oscillatory v dissipative limits as it applies to electronic excited state processes in molecular systems. Main emphasis is placed on the radiative and nonradiative dynamics of the excited state of a molecule prepared by interaction with light or some other excitation source. (BT)

Discusses a comparison of the relative effects on the stomach of a strong acid, hydrochloric acid, and a weak acid, aspirin. Also discusses molecular geometrics using the Valence Shell Electron Repulsion Theory. (MLH)