Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Wed, 04/18/2018 - 10:22
My Notes
Categories
Description

This morning before class I was picking on one of my students for having her organic chemistry textbook out on her desk. I believe I said something along the lines of 'how dare you contaminate my classroom with that!' She explained how she had an exam today and I let it drop. That is until later in the class when I was teaching about chelates. I had a sudden inspiration. I asked the student to pick up her organic book with one hand. I then warned her that I was going to smack the book. I did and she dropped it. Based on the size of most organic textbooks, I believe that very few people would be able to hold on to one with one hand while it is being smacked. I then handed her back the book and asked her to hold it with two hands while I smacked it. Sure enough, she was able to maintain her grasp of the book. I think this rather simple deomonstration did a surprisingly good job of driving home the point.

Learning Goals

From this in-class activity students will develop a simple appreciation for the chelate effect.

Equipment needs

Organic (or p-chem) textbook

Creative Commons License
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Anthony L. Fernandez / Merrimack College

I just use organic texts to raise the level on my monitor. You have suggested a much better use...

Fri, 04/27/2018 - 11:38 Permalink