Friday, October 22, 2010

Do you use the news as a vehicle for teaching physical chemistry?

To be sure, much of the science highlighted in the news tends to be biology, medicine, physics, geology, and astronomy. But there is a lot of chemistry behind even those stories labeled as 'physics' or 'biology' news. Take, for example, the story below:

California - Solar Plant Advances - NYTimes.com

Wouldn't a classroom discussion of this story--and the physical chemistry behind it--bring principles of thermodynamics, quantum chemistry, and materials chemistry to life? Wouldn't even those students who have already committed to an intensive course of study in chemistry benefit from this discussion? Let's share our views.

Finally, how many of you use news items to enhance discussion of concepts of physical chemistry in the classroom or laboratory? How do you choose the items for discussion?

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