Reports on a study which examined the relationship between spatial ability and performance in organic chemistry. Results indicated that students with high spatial scores did significantly better on questions requiring problem solving skills, as well as on those requiring the mental manipulation of two-dimensional representations of a molecule. (TW)

Presents the organization of a one-semester graduate course in structural chemistry including lectures and problems. Discusses the coverage of diffraction from real crystals and structure determination. Summarizes experiments on real crystals conducted by students in the X-ray laboratory. (CW)

Discusses ways that chemists have traditionally used models to represent chemical structures. Suggests new ways to construct three-dimensional models of receptor sites using thermoplastics or heavy aluminum foil. Provides sketches and photographs of several models. Points out the advantages of using such models over traditional two-dimensional…

Describes two demonstrations suitable for chemistry instruction. One involves fractal structures obtained by electrodeposition of silver at an air-water interface and the other deals with molecular weights and music. (TW)

Discusses the value of electrophoresis in the fields of protein chemistry and biochemistry. Describes how to build an inexpensive electrophoresis setup for use in either research or teaching activities. Details the construction of both the separating device and the power supply. (TW)

Suggests two methods of developing the study of the noble gases: first, the discovery of the elements and recent discovery of xenon show the human face of chemistry (historical development); second, the properties of noble gas compounds (particularly xenon) can be used to test the framework of conventional chemistry. (Author/JM)

This review covers methods for identification, characterization, and determination of rubber and materials in rubber. Topics include: general information, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermal methods, gel permeation chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, analysis related to safety and health, and…

Instructions are given for constructing two models, one to illustrate the general principles of symmetry in T=1, T=3, and T=4 viruses, and the other to illustrate the disposition of protein subunits in the T=3 plant viruses and the picornaviruses. (Author/CW)

Discussed is the treatment of the concept of atomic orbitals in college chemistry textbooks; specifically the nodal surfaces of hybrid orbitals. Presented is a method of illustrating and introducing hydrogen-like atomic orbitals using computer graphics. (CW)

Discusses a new method for determining the eigenvalues of the Schroedinger equation when the potential energy function does not have a simple form. Describes the mathematical methods and provides an application. Lists limitations to the method. (MVL)

Introduces different methodological strategies in analyzing potential energy surfaces (PES) used in chemical reactivity studies. Discusses the theory of PES and gives examples to be used for student work. Provides procedures for calculating normal coordinates and vibrational properties of an activated complex. (ML)

Calculates an approximation to Avagadro's number for one mole of water by assuming the mole to be in cubical form and then halving the cube three times, thereby doubling the surface area of the original cube. The calculations are derived from the work necessary to perform these divisions. Presents calculated values for several liquids. (MDH)

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)

Explores graph theory and use of topological indices to predict boiling points. Lists three indices: Wiener Number, Randic Branching Index and Molecular Connectivity, and Molecular Identification numbers. Warns of inadequacies with stereochemistry. (ML)

Describes a graduate course designed to teach the noncrystallographer how to read a structure paper critically. The course combines formal didactic instruction with student seminar presentations of specific papers from the crystallographic literature. Includes a course outline. (CW)