My lab students had to make videos demonstrating proper use of an analytical balance. Most of the videos simply follow the minimum requirements, but this one is a gem!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlUxYJ-W7vA&feature
I had never seen a silent movie video of an analytical balance before!
This one is simply great. It's very well put-together and could be used in a classroom setting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrm5sLPhBvY
This type of assignment is tedious to grade, but all the students learn proper use of the equipment. I definitely recommend this to a teacher who is willing to spend double the time grading.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Great general chemistry book!
There are thousands of bad chemistry books out there. Usually, what makes a chemistry book bad is lack of clarity, lack of fully detailed examples, irrelevant fluff pages, and advanced sections on topics that a general chemistry professor would never cover (unless they're insane, of course).
In any case, my absolute favorite general chemistry book, which avoids all these faults, is Chemistry by Whitten, Davis, Peck, and Stanley.
http://www.amazon.com/Chemistry-Kenneth-W-Whitten/dp/0495111309/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1315153752&sr=8-18
ISBN: 978-0495111306
This book is from 2006, yes. That makes it "old" as far as textbook editions. But inside you will find:
-incredibly clear explanations on all topics
-a clean layout that is easy to follow
-a dozen or more practice problems in each chapter, worked out and explained step by step
-dozens of problems at the end of each chapter, almost all of them directly related to what you've learned. There's always the odd problem here and there.
These authors are not dry, they are not convoluted, and they make a genuine effort to present these topics in a simple way. You simply have to read carefully and I guarantee you, if you can do the problems in this book, you will pass your general chemistry class, no problem.
There's a solutions manual that comes with the book, too, though I never needed it.
So, if you're stuck in gen chem and need a boost, I'd take a look at this textbook. It might help!
In any case, my absolute favorite general chemistry book, which avoids all these faults, is Chemistry by Whitten, Davis, Peck, and Stanley.
http://www.amazon.com/Chemistry-Kenneth-W-Whitten/dp/0495111309/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1315153752&sr=8-18
ISBN: 978-0495111306
This book is from 2006, yes. That makes it "old" as far as textbook editions. But inside you will find:
-incredibly clear explanations on all topics
-a clean layout that is easy to follow
-a dozen or more practice problems in each chapter, worked out and explained step by step
-dozens of problems at the end of each chapter, almost all of them directly related to what you've learned. There's always the odd problem here and there.
These authors are not dry, they are not convoluted, and they make a genuine effort to present these topics in a simple way. You simply have to read carefully and I guarantee you, if you can do the problems in this book, you will pass your general chemistry class, no problem.
There's a solutions manual that comes with the book, too, though I never needed it.
So, if you're stuck in gen chem and need a boost, I'd take a look at this textbook. It might help!
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