A new, fast and effective colorimetric analysis of the artificial sweetener aspartame is presented for application in undergraduate laboratory courses. This new method incorporates the use of a modified biuret reagent for selective detection and analysis of aspartame in aqueous solutions. The modified reagent is less caustic than the traditional…

Laboratory and demonstration have long been used to supplement lecture in chemistry education. Current research indicates that students are better served by laboratories which exercise the higher-order cognitive skills, such as inquiry-based laboratories. However, the time and the resources available to perform these recommended types of…

This journal features articles covering various aspects of dissection. "Biology--The Study of Life" (George Russell) offers students experiments that do not require using invasive procedures. "Animal Cruelty--Behind the Scenes" (Zoe Weil) describes sources of laboratory animals. "Doing without Dissection" (Juliana…

For 8 years, the Community College of Allegheny County has offered a non-traditional science course, Chemistry of Art, which enables students to appreciate more fully the bonds and commonalities existing between the sciences and the arts, where creativity is common to both and where hands-on experience, visualization, and critical thinking can…

Outlines the aims of practical work by students through investigations and projects. Provides a list of sources found useful as experimental guides, ideas for projects, and background information for A level Nuffield physics. (GS)

Describes a reaction rate experiment in which the manipulative skills needed are minimal and the measure of reaction rate is direct and understandable. (Author/GS)

Describes an undergraduate physical chemistry experiment in which an azeotropic mixture is studied using the vapor pressures of the components as functions of temperature and the azeotropic composition and temperature at one pressure. Discusses in detail the mathematical treatment of obtained thermodynamic data. (MLH)

Describes a theory concerning the formation of soap films which enables this technique to be applied to problems requiring the minimization of the surface area between fixed boundaries. (Author/CP)

Describes an undergraduate physical chemistry experiment in which the acid catalyzed hydrolysis of sucrose is used to determine the catalytic coefficient of the hydronium ion, the catalyst in this reaction. (MLH)

Analyzes the effects of age, sex and family composition on students' preferences for the sex and birth order of their offspring. (LS)

Discusses difficulties encountered in the determination of the thermal conductivity of a gas. Provides analyses of one particular set of data. (CP)

Details construction of an inexpensive electronic auditory device in which the resistance in parallel with the device is inversely proportional to the frequency of sound produced. (CP)

Describes an activity involving a transparent water filled box and a plane mirror in which the refraction of light rays is demonstrated. (CP)

Describes an undergraduate biochemistry experiment that utilizes gel electrophoresis of a crude extract and the partially purified gel filtrate. (MLH)

Describes an exercise that teaches Mendelian inheritance using human traits which students find exciting and relevant. (LS)