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Introducing Relativity into Quantum Chemistry
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Li, Wai-Kee; Blinder, S. M. – Journal of Chemical Education, 2011
It is not often realized by chemists that the special theory of relativity is behind several aspects of quantum chemistry. The Schrdinger equation itself is based on relations between space-time and energy-momentum four vectors. Electron spin is, of course, the most obvious manifestation of relativity. The chemistry of some heavy elements is…
Descriptors: Chemistry, Scientific Concepts, Quantum Mechanics, Science Activities
Modeling Stretching Modes of Common Organic Molecules with the Quantum Mechanical Harmonic Oscillator: An Undergraduate Vibrational Spectroscopy Laboratory Exercise
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Parnis, J. Mark; Thompson, Matthew G. K. – Journal of Chemical Education, 2004
An introductory undergraduate physical organic chemistry exercise that introduces the harmonic oscillator's use in vibrational spectroscopy is developed. The analysis and modeling exercise begins with the students calculating the stretching modes of common organic molecules with the help of the quantum mechanical harmonic oscillator (QMHO) model.
Descriptors: Spectroscopy, Organic Chemistry, Models, Undergraduate Students
Determination of the Heat of Combustion of Biodiesel Using Bomb Calorimetry: A Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Chemistry Experiment
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Akers, Stephen M.; Conkle, Jeremy L.; Thomas, Stephanie N.; Rider, Keith B. – Journal of Chemical Education, 2006
Biodiesel was synthesized by transesterification of waste vegetable oil using common glassware and reagents, and characterized by measuring heat of combustion, cloud point, density and measuring the heat of combustion and density together allows the student the energy density of the fuel. Analyzing the biodiesel can serve as a challenging and…
Descriptors: Fuels, Chemistry, Scientific Methodology, Heat
DNA as a Binary Code: How the Physical Structure of Nucleotide Bases Carries Information
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McCallister, Gary – Journal of College Science Teaching, 2005
The DNA triplet code also functions as a binary code. Because double-ring compounds cannot bind to double-ring compounds in the DNA code, the sequence of bases classified simply as purines or pyrimidines can encode for smaller groups of possible amino acids. This is an intuitive approach to teaching the DNA code. (Contains 6 figures.)
Descriptors: Teaching Methods, Genetics, Science Instruction, Knowledge Representation
The Development of a Web-Based Virtual Environment for Teaching Qualitative Analysis of Structures
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O'Dwyer, D. W.; Logan-Phelan, T. M.; O'Neill, E. A. – European Journal of Engineering Education, 2007
The current paper describes the design and development of a qualitative analysis course and an interactive web-based teaching and assessment tool called VSE (virtual structural environment). The widespread reliance on structural analysis programs requires engineers to be able to verify computer output by carrying out qualitative analyses.…
Descriptors: Problem Based Learning, Active Learning, Virtual Classrooms, Teaching Methods
Teaching Structural Bioinformatics at the Undergraduate Level
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Centeno, Nuria B.; Villa-Freixa, Jordi; Oliva, Baldomero – Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 2003
Understanding the basic principles of structural biology is becoming a major subject of study in most undergraduate level programs in biology. In the genomic and proteomic age, it is becoming indispensable for biology students to master concepts related to the sequence and structure of proteins in order to develop skills that may be useful in a…
Descriptors: Biology, College Science, Science Instruction, Information Technology