Synthesis and characterization of 12-tungstosilicic acid - a modification

Submitted by Randall Hicks / Wheaton College on Mon, 11/15/2010 - 23:25
Description
This lab experiment is an update on the synthesis of the title acid. An account of this synthesis can be found in William Jolly's book, The Synthesis and Characterization of Inorganic Compounds. The synthetic procedure is reliable and was retained. However, I modified some content and added components to extend to a two-week experiment. This lab now covers the synthesis, an acid-base titration with error analysis, and the use of TGA to complement the titration results.

A really neat periodic table

Submitted by John Gilje / James Madison University on Fri, 11/12/2010 - 09:20
Description

A really neat interactive periodic table

Inorganic Chemistry of Organ Pipes: Composition and Corrosion

Submitted by Catherine Oertel / Oberlin College on Thu, 09/30/2010 - 14:46
Description

This presentation provides an inorganic chemist's perspective on metals used to make organ pipes and their corrosion and conservation.  The slides highlight my own research in this area as well as work being done by other scientists around the world.  The purpose of this learning object is to show students an application of inorganic chemistry that they probably have not encountered before and show an example of how analytical methods of materials chemistry can be used in conservation science.   

Cyclic voltammetry

Submitted by Chip Nataro / Lafayette College on Wed, 09/29/2010 - 07:28
Description

This is a short presentation on cyclic voltammetry. It is covers the basics and some simple electrode mechanisms. There is room for improvement (especially in my art) and suggestions are welcome.

First Isolation of the AsP3 Molecule

Submitted by Anne Bentley / Lewis & Clark College on Fri, 09/03/2010 - 13:47
Description

Early in 2009, Christopher Cummins’ group at MIT reported (in Science) the synthesis of AsP3, a compound that had never been isolated at room temperature.  Later that year, a full article was published in JACS comparing the properties and reactivity of AsP3 to those of its molecular cousins, P4 and As4.  The longer article is full of possibilities for discussion in inorganic chemistry courses, with topics including periodic trends, NMR, vibrational spectroscopy, electrochemistry, molecular orbital theory, and coordination chemistry.

Introducing Inorganic Chemistry - First Day Activities

Submitted by Barbara Reisner / James Madison University on Tue, 08/31/2010 - 15:53
Description

Every time I teach inorganic, I always ask myself the question: “What’s the best way to motivate the course and get the students excited?” A long time ago, I decided it’s important to start with some music. (Until last year, Tom Lehrer’s The Elements was my favorite. As a TMBG fan, I’ve swiched to Meet the Elements.)

Towards "Personalized Solar Energy": An Inexpensive Oxygen-Evolving Catalyst

Submitted by Anne Bentley / Lewis & Clark College on Fri, 08/27/2010 - 15:54
Description

In the two years since this article was published, it has jump-started a large amount of research in the area of cobalt-based catalysts for solar water splitting.  The paper describes the electrochemical synthesis and oxygen-evolution capabilities of a Co-phosphate catalyst under very mild conditions.  The paper can stimulate discussion of many topics found in the inorganic curriculum, including electrochemistry, semiconductor chemistry, transition metal ion complex kinetic trends, and solid state and electrochemical characterization techniques.

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell 2010

Submitted by Simon Garcia / Kenyon College on Tue, 08/03/2010 - 16:37
Description

In this laboratory experiment, students construct a solar cell from a combination of synthetic and natural materials. It touches on a variety of chemical principles (kinetics, photochemistry, electrochemistry, intermolecular forces, material properties); however, the primary aim is the experience of turning materials into components and then assembling them into a working device. This experiment is unique in that it emphasizes each material's function, and how its properties affect this function. Students can seal these solar cells and take them home afterward.

Teaching General Chemistry: A Materials Science Companion

Submitted by Maggie Geselbracht / Reed College on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 18:15
Description

This book was originally written (full disclosure: I am one of the co-authors) for college teachers as a resource text to encourage and support the incorporation of more solid state and materials chemistry into the general chemistry curriculum.  The Companion, as I refer to it, is filled with background material, demonstrations, laboratory experiments, and end-of-chapter problems that will aid the non-specialist in enriching their teaching with examples from the world of solid state materials.  Although intended for a general chemistry audience, several of the chapters present fairly sophis

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