In contrast to most other thermodynamic data, entropy values are not given in relation to a certain--more or less arbitrarily defined--zero level. They are listed in standard thermodynamic tables as absolute values of specific substances. Therefore these values describe a physical property of the listed substances. One of the main tasks of…

Research has shown that technology-enhanced visualizations can improve inquiry learning in science when they are designed to support knowledge integration. Visualizations play an especially important role in supporting science learning at elementary and middle school levels because they can make unseen and complex processes visible. We identify 4…

Describes an experiment in which general and physical chemistry students can determine the heat of vaporization of a volatile substance from experimental laboratory data using timesharing techniques. (MLH)

The question addressed here is how to integrate computational tools, namely interactive general-purpose platforms, in the teaching of process units. Mathematica has been selected as a complementary tool to teach distillation processes, with the main objective of leading students to achieve a better understanding of the physical phenomena involved…

Discusses the Peltier, or thermoelectric effect, which provides a way of cooling a system by coupling it thermally to the junction of two materials suitably chosen, shaped, and connected to a d.c. current. Describes an apparatus which simply and inexpensively demonstrates this effect. (MLH)

Describes a course which organizes learning about moderately difficult projects designed to bring a sense of continuity and relevance to student studies. Student comments are used as a basis for evaluating this approach. (Author/GS)

Discusses the use of a blackboard demonstration and a vacuum pump apparatus to explain that, in adiabatic meteorological processes, rising air is cooled and sinking air is heated. (MLH)

This work contains 21 computer programs intended for use in a chemical engineering education format. The programs represent appropriate homework exercises for undergraduate students. The intended academic level is listed for each example. Although the activities deal with specific problems, the computer programs represent the areas of kinetics,…

Describes a laboratory experiment, suitable for senior undergraduates, that illustrates energy transfer processes in photochemical reactions. (MLH)

Describes a Keller Plan program for teaching thermodynamics to college students. The outcome is improvement in study habits, and a more positive attitude towards examinations, but less performance in problem solving ability than via traditional approach. (Author/GA)

Describes a simple recursive method for calculating the partition function and average energy of a system consisting of N electrons and L energy levels. Also, presents an efficient APL computer program to utilize the recursion relation. (Author/GA)

Describes a series of educational and entertaining demonstrations using liquid nitrogen. (CP)

Describes an organic chemistry laboratory exercise which uses thermochromic compounds to study the thermodynamic effect of temperature on chemical equilbrium. (SL)