An experiment is described in which students in an introductory laboratory can determine all of the relevant energy flows of an ordinary household refrigerator. (Author/CP)

Discusses some of the misconceptions commonly held suggesting that mixing ideal gases causes an increase in entropy. Argues that the combining processes and resulting total pressure have absolutely nothing to do with the mixing itself. (TW)

Discusses the role of semiclassical theory in chemical physics both as a computational method and conceptual framework for interpreting quantum mechanical experiments and calculations. Topics covered include energy wells and eigenvalues, scattering, statistical mechanics and electronically nonadiabiatic processes. (JM)

Presents an experiment in thermometric titration used in an analytic chemistry-chemical instrumentation course, consisting of two titrations, one a mixture of calcium and magnesium, the other of calcium, magnesium, and barium ions. Provides equipment and solutions list/specifications, graphs, and discussion of results. (JM)

The educational beliefs of seven mechanical engineering faculty members at one university were examined in the context of their department and the history of the engineering education. Participants were selected to cover the demographic range across the department. Each of the faculty members was interviewed and observed at two points over the…

Discusses methods used in teaching thermodynamics to students at the University of Pittsburgh. Methods include use of 35mm slides and companion activity book, self-study materials, and instructional objectives. Several examples of student reaction to the methods are provided. (JN)

A three or four semester-hour graduate course was designed to provide basic instruction in heat/mass transfer topics relevant to chemical engineering problems and to train students to develop mathematical descriptions for new situations encountered in problem-solving. Course outline and list of references used in the course are provided. (JM)

Presents information, laboratory procedures, and results of an undergraduate experiment in which activity coefficients for a two-component liquid-vapor system are determined. Working in pairs, students can perform the experiment with 10 solutions in a given three-hour laboratory period. (Author/JN)

Cites representative extensions of concept of entropy (measure of the amount of energy unavailable for useful work; from the second law of thermodynamics) noting basic relationships between entropy, order, information, and meaning in such disciplines as biology, economics, information science, the arts, and religion. Seventy-eight references are…

Procedures for two demonstrations are provided. The solubility of ammonia gas in water is demonstrated by introducing water into a closed can filled with the gas, collapsing the can. The second demonstration relates scale of standard reduction potentials to observed behavior of metals in reactions with hydrogen to produce hydrogen gas. (Author/JN)

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)