Presents suggestions for alternative presentations of some of the material that usually forms part of the introductory chemistry course. Emphasizes development of concepts from experimental results. Discusses electronic configurations and quantum numbers, experimental evidence for electron configurations, deducing the shell model from the periodic…

Flame tests are used for demonstration of atomic structure. Describes a demonstration that uses spray bottles filled with methanol and a variety of salts to produce a brilliantly colored flame. (Contains 11 references.) (ASK)

Electrochemiluminescence involves the production of light near an electrode surface by generating species that can undergo highly energetic electron transfer reactions. Presents a demonstration that uses Ru(bpy)32+ (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) as the light-emitting molecule and tri-n-propylamine (C9H21N) as a coreactant. (Contains 25 references.) (ASK)

Presents an alternative approach to bonding and geometry--the electron domain model--which avoids some of the problems with the conventional approach. Discusses difficulties with the orbital model at the introductory level, electron spin and the Pauli exclusion principle, electron pair domains, nonequivalent domains, multiple bonds, and origins…

Shows how ionization energies provide a convenient method for obtaining electronegativity values that is simpler than the conventional methods. Demonstrates how approximate atomic charges can be calculated for polar molecules and how this method of determining electronegativities may lead to deeper insights than are typically possible for the…

Describes the use of atomic spectra that are excited in inductively coupled plasmas for the simultaneous or sequential determination of the elements at all concentration levels. (HM)

Discusses the development of the concept of atomicity and some of the many which can be used to establish its validity. Chemical evidence, evidence from crystals, Faraday's law of electrolysis, and Avogadro's number are among the areas which show how the concept originally developed from a purely philosophical idea. (JN)

Discusses student use of the computer with mathematical models and with laboratory simulations. Examples given. (DS)

Describes activities (demonstrations/experiments) used to introduce history of periodic properties--without electrons, orbitals, filling shells, or any conception of atoms beyond Dalton's model. Activities supplement first chapter in a currently available chemistry text. Indicates potential danger of experiments if proper safety precautions are…

Clarifies misunderstanding of Millikan's experiment measuring charge on electrons. Most books describing the experiment indicate ionization of air in the apparatus caused liberation of electrons, and that these electrons were picked up by oil droplets. However, in Millikan's discussion, it is stated clearly that ions were attached to oil droplets.…

Discusses the future of chemical research in the 1980s and the important improvements that will probably occur, particularly in the chemical industry. (SA)

This unit on atomic structure is one of 10 first year units produced by the Independent Learning Project for Advanced Chemistry (ILPAC). The unit consists of two levels. Level one focuses on the atomic nucleus. Level two focuses on the arrangement of extranuclear electrons, approaching atomic orbitals through both electron bombardment and spectra.…

Discusses electron-loss spectroscopy and the experimentally observed excitation energies in terms of qualitative MO theory. Reviews information on photoelectron spectroscopy and electron transmission spectroscopy and their relation to the occupied and unoccupied orbital levels. Focuses on teaching applications. (ML)

Describes how a Polaroid camera can be modified for spectroscopic experiments. Reviews experimental procedures and discusses results that students can obtain within one normal laboratory period. Suggests additional experiments for investigating emission from other sources. (ML)