Edited bv:

RV review HARRIET FRIEDSTEIN Monroe High School

Rochester. NY 14607

By now a school routine should he a welcome respite from The film concludes with a fairly long discussion of the the beginning of the year crises-hooks that were ordered so sub-atomic particle research being done a t Stanford Univer- long ago and still have not arrived; lab glassware still packed sity. This is a challenging section for most general chemistry in boxes; the struggle to learn all those new names; and the students. However, it is well done with many good shots of the never ending paperwork. The hooks have arrived, the glass- linear accelerator and bubble chamber and should keep their ware has been stacked on the shelves and in the cupboards, interest. We expect our honor students to enjoy this area. names are now connected with the faces, and the never ending paperwork is still there. CAPTAIN RICHARD P. DAVENPORT

Using some of the sights and sounds of films and filmstrips, United States Air Force Academy to enhance our lectures will in turn add one more dimension Colorado Springs, co for the students in our classrooms. We try, as teachers, to use every method and technique to aid the learning process for the chemistry students. We offer several reviews that were written by two of your colleagues, Captain Richard P. Dav- The States of Matter enport and James E. Scott.

Format: 16 mm color film or videocassette The Nature of Matter: An Atomic View Time: 18 min

Cat. No.: 106656 Format: 16 mm color film or videocassette Price Range: $345 (film): Time: 23 min $260 (videocassette); Cat. No.: 106657 $ 39 (rental) Price Range: $345 (film); Supplier: CRM McGraw-Hill Films

$260 (videocassette); 110 Fifteenth Street $ 39 (rental) Del Mar, CA 92014

Supplier: CRM McGraw-Hill Films This is one of the best introductions to the Kinetic Molec- 110 Fifteenth Street ular Theory that I have seen. The film is unique because it uses Del Mar, CA 92014 common examples to illustrate the theory. A swarm of bees

We have purchased this film for use in both the general and is used to represent the molecular motion of liquids. Crystals honors freshman chemistry courses. The film begins by de- of table salt demonstrate the ordered nature of solids. Brandy scribing the nature of the proton, neutron, and electron. This is the example of a liquid which is easily vaporized, and tele- section may he a little basic for college students; however, it scopic pictures of the sun are used when plasma is discussed. is brief and does provide a good introduction for the complex The excellent photography and modern presentation make view of the atom. The quantum section of the film is excellent. this film very effective. It can be used at the high school or Atomic orbitals (s, p, and d ) are represented using colorful college level. computer-generated electron dot maps. The discussion is very CAPTAIN RICHARD P. DAVENPORT good and will provide strong reinforcement for this difficult United States Air Force Academy part of the course. colorado Springs, co

1030 Journal of Chemical Education

Kinetic Theory by Computer Animation

Format: Eleven 8 mm film loops (silent) Time: Approximately 5 min each Cat. No.: 1001-8 Price Range: $ 29.95 each

$307.45 for the set Supplier: Kalmia Company

Department C8 Concord, MA 01742

These films provide students with simple working models which help them understand the gas laws. The student sees how the motion of computer-generated particles is affected by changes in temperature, pressure, volume, and density. The gas laws are no longer magic but are a simple result of the motion of gases.

The films are basic hut detailed enough to give the students a good grasp of the kinetic theory. The level is excellent for high school students and students who are having difficulty with the freshman college course. Although the films are silent, they are captioned and can he used by individual students who need extra help.

CAPTAIN RICHARD P. DAVENPORT Unhed States Air Force Academy

Colorado Springs, CO

Atoms and Molecules: Building Blocks of Matter

Format: Each part contains an 80-slide carousel 33% rpm record

Cassette tapes with audible advance signal

Cassette tapes with inaudible electronic advance signal

Teacher's Guide T h e : Part 1 -30 min

Part 11 -28 min Part 111-25 min

Cat. No.: 1053-2440 Prlce Range: $ 89.50 for each part

$229.50 for complete set Suppller: Science and Mankind, Inc.

Communication Park Box 2000 Mt. Kisco, NY 10549 800-413-1242 (In New York, Alaska, Hawaii, and

Canada. call collect 914-666-4100) The slidelsound set "Atoms A d Molecules: Building s locks

of Matter" oresents basic tooics covered in everv introductow chemistry course. The pictures are clear, the graphics are well-drawn, and the sound script is direct and coherent. The entire set is divided into three parts, which may he purchased

separately. Each part contains an 80-slide carousel, a record, and two cassette tapes, one with an audible advance signal, and the other with an inaudible electronic advance signal. A Teacher's Guide which accompanies the set, has a synopsis of the program, a complete script, a list of discussion questions and related activities (with answers), a minimal bibliography, and a list of other related programs produced by Science and Mankind, Inc.

Part I deals with atomic structure; Part I1 covers the honding of atoms in molecules, of ions in crystals, and of molecules through hydrogen bonds; Part I n utilizes four kinds of organic molecules, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, to explore the results of atomic structure and chemical bonding. Each part is divided into four topical suh-sections a t the end of which is a list of review questions with the answers on the next slide.

The level of difficulty in this set is directed toward the av- erwe or general chemistrv student on the secondary level. care hasobviously been taken to be consistent in the devel- opment of the topics. No terms are used which have not been previously definkd within the set. In addition, the depth of discussion into specific topics is limited. For instance, in Part I. electronic confieuration is oresented for onlv the s and o orbitals of the first few elements, with no mention of the comnlexitv of the d and f orbitals. and the variations in the orbital energies. Also, in Part 11, only the simplest examples of bonding are oresented with no extension into substances .. . that have more c~mpl~cated bmtl~ng arrangements. Part 111 auicklv wrvevs the t~aslc chemicul nature of the four twes of "molehes ojlife." The concepts developed in previousparta make the explanations easily understood by the average stu- dent. This slidelsound set is not appropriate for advanced courses where more detailed discussion of these topics is needed. However, thevisuals are of good quality making this set useful as a resource for the basic level chemistry students whose skills are below erade level.

In general, the ~ i s u z ~ r e s e n t a t i o n is clear, relying heavily uvon diamams. such as electron orbitals. and slides of models. k c h as ball and stick molecular models. The coordination of the script with these pictures gives a strong, effective devel- opmen&,f the topics. i)ccusi(m&, pictures of natural subjects are less well suited to the discussion, such as the slide of Mr. Olympia which is used to introduce proteins.

The flexibility of the format of the sound allows teachers with different kinds of systems in the same school to use these materials. Since the script is read by two persons, a male and a female. who alternate a t the suh-sections within the set. adding variety to the presentation and avoiding sex-stereo: tvpina in the studv of chemistrv. Both voices, however, are .. - unemotional and &e devoid of enthusiasm that is so effective and important to secondary students. Also, the pitch and qualitybf the female voice seemed to be very simiiar to that of male voice.

Finallv. the backerouud music which avnears a t the be- - , " . . ginning and end of sub-sections or to emphasize a lofty ex- tension of chemical nrincinles into the natural world. is dis- tracting and does nbt complement the script. The style of

Part I. The Structure of Atoms. Slldes ( I tor): (8) Democritus: (10) John Dalton: (70) Comparison of Carbon-12 and Carbon-14.

Volume 58 Number I2 December 1981 1031

Part 11: Chemical Bands. Slides ( I tor): (43) Ionic Bonds Between Sodium and Chlorine; (45) Photomicrograph of Sodium Chloride; (48) Solvated Sodium and Chlorine

Pan Ill: The Molecules of Life. Slides ( I tor): (7) Iso-Octane Model; (14) Glucose and Fructose Models: (25) Glycerol Model

composition of this music and the reedy quality of the elec- tronic sound will quickly become a focus of student criti- cism.

The concentration of ideas and concepts, showing only one subsection a t a time, allows for the development of topics through the teacher lecture, readings, demonstrations, andfor class discussion. This slide set can also be used in other science courses, especially biology, as a method of presenting the main points of chemical structure, chemical behavior, bonding, and the chemical nature of important biological molecules.

Chemistry teachers have a wide choice of AV materials on atomic structure and chemical bonding available to them. This set is a direct, straightforward presentation of the most im- portant concepts in the areas discussed. In addition, the dis- cussion of the chemical nature of organic molecular groups in Par t I11 can he a valuable addition to the resources of many secondary science departments.

A summary of the contents follows:

Part I: The Structure of Atoms A. Mnrrer is ramposed ofatoms, which are diffcrmtiated hg the

numher of pnmns in the nuclem and the numher of electrons in orbitals around the nucleus.

B. Electrons are arranged in specific orbitals which limit the number of electrons in each energy level.

C. Chemical behavior of atoms is the result of electron configu- ration where similar behavior of elements is due to similar electronic structure. The Periodic Table summarizes these re- lationshios.

D. Nuclear mmplnition wries among isotopes of the m e clement due t u different number* of neutron-. Cnstnhle mmpe% may have beneficial uses due to their rndimcrwity.

Part I t : Chemical Bonds A. Covalent bonds occur when electron pairs are shared between

atoms. and the" mav form sinele. double. or t r i~ l e bonds. . . . . B. Polar mvnlmt hunds result frum thr unqlrnl ~hnrlng of electron

pairs and frequently prudure polar molrcul~r C Ionic bonds are due to the complete transfer uf electnms from

one atom to another to form positive and negative ions. Ionic solids form when alternately charged ions arrange in a crystal lattice. Simple properties distinguish cov?lently and ionically handed substances, such as solubility and melting point.

D. Hydrogen bonds form when hydrogen atoms in onepolar mol- ecule are weakly attached to part of another molecule. Prop- erties of water are explained by the formation of hydrogen bonds.

Part III: The Molecules of Life A. Carbon atoms are the basis of organic molecules. The tetrahe-

dral bonding of carbon to a few other elements yields large, complex and numerous kinds of molecules.

B. Carbohydrates-sugars, starches, cellulose-form with a wbon rine to which hvdroeen and oxveen are bonded. These may he . - . . single rings or long chains of rings in a single molecule.

C. Lipids-fats and oils-form when long fatty acids join with glycerol, and they may be saturated or unsaturated.

D. Proteins-amino acids joined in long chains-form either fi- brous or globular types in living systems, depending upon the bonding and the shape of the molecules.

E. Nucleic acids-especially DNA-are formed of sugar, phos- phate, and nitrogen bases. The hydrogen bonding in DNA is responsible for the structure of DNA and its mode of replica- tion.

JAMES E. SCOm Amherst Regional High School

Amherst, MA 01002

Hubbard Film Loops

Format: Super 8 mm film loop, color Time: 3 min Cat. No.: For "Combination" ~ ~~~~~

9397 (Technicolor projectors) 9397-1 1Kodak" oroiectorsl ~ ~ ~~~ ~,

For "Change of ~ t a k ' : 9405 (Technicolor projectors) 9405-1 (Kodak" projectors)

Prlce: $29.50 each Supplier: Hubbard

P.O. Box 104 Northbrook, lL 60062 800-323-8388

Huhhard produces a series of 8 mm film loous tha t can be used by the tiarher in a variety of ways to suit hidher teaching style. For those of you who art, nut familiar with the film loop, i t i s a silent and continuous viewing film (hence the loop) that in 3 t o 5 min presents a single concept. The only drawback to its use would he availability of the Super 8 mm film loop projector, therefore, ascertain its accessibility before you order this type of visual aid. Each film loop is in an easy t o store

1032 Journal of Chemical Education

nlastic container with some very simple explanations and questions on the cover. This all& the loop t(; he used by the individual student either for review or remediation. In addi- tion, they can he used as part of your demonstration, or lec- ture, either to enhance your."live experiment" or as a re- nlscement. = - - ~ - ~ ~ ~

Since there is no sound, i t lends itself quite well to the flexihilitv of heine a cohesive Dart of your current day's lesson plan. ~urthermoie, they can be stopped at any point for a single frame projection or class discussion. Although the color is designated as "Technicolor," you will he disappointed with the brightness of the colors because of a predominance of the sepia tone. But do not let this deter you from using this con- venient teaching tool. Hubbard produces several sets which if purchased as annit ($135 to $189 for five to seven titles) are accompanied by lesson plans. They may, however, he pur- chased sinelv. The series. "Comhination and Se~aration" ~~ ~ ~~ " - which would be useful in ageneral chemistry class,has seven titles: "Comhination." "Decomposition," "Single Replace- ment," "Double ~e~lacement ," "Interaction with water," "Electricity Moves Ions," and "Light Energy Causes Change."

Combination

This loop demonstrates the heating of iron filings and sul- fur. The properties of the elements before heating are com- pared to the properties of the iron sulfide after heating. This is probably a standard demonstration for many chemistry classrooms. If you prefer to do the experiment before the class, the film loop may serve a t a later date to reinforce this prin- ciole or as a "demonstration" for the student who missed sour class.

Change of State

"Change of State" is one of several titles in the series Physical Changes: States and Mixtures which also contains "Distillation," "Solutions," "Suspensions," "A Gas in Solu- tion." "Usine Phvsical Pronerties." and "Crvstals." - "

The concept presented is the melting and crystallization of moth halls. Moth balls are crushed and laced in the test tube, heated, and then cooled. The student observes the changes taking place, the bubbles forming, and the white crystals forming a t the cool end of the test tube.

Postage Due.. . We regularly receive information that would he useful to

teachers, and we would like to pass this on to you. Many of the items are free for the asking, and we encourage you to take a few minutes to write and invest the price of the stamp for the catalog, brochure, etc. Film Users Network is a list of inter- ested persons who wish to receive current publicity, air-date, or festival information concerning feature, documentary, and experimental films. If you are interested in receiving infor- mation about this service (made possible in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts), write to: Cine Information, 419 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016, (212)486-9891.

The Resource Centre at Queen's University is a joint project of the Science Teachers Association of Ontario and the Fac- ulty of Education at Queen's. The main purpose of the centre is to assist science educators in improving their programs. They help educators through workshops, speakers, advice, reviews of curriculum materials, unit designs, and resource booklets.

The Curriculum Resource Catalogue has been published by STAO, and encompasses the areas of biology, chemistry, environmental science, physics, and general science. This ~. . catalogue is available free of charge to any teacher who re- auests a c o ~ v . In addition, the items in the Curriculum Re- source ~athiogue that relate directly to the teaching of chemistrv have been listed separately for the benefit of the chemistr; teachers in the ~ ~ s o u n . c C o l o l o g u e Chrrnrsfr). which is also available upun rrquest. Write to: Srirn(t. Re- source Centre. Facultv of Education. Oueen'~ Universitv. Kingston, 0nkr io ~ 7 i 3N6, Canada.

-

Kudos.. . Thanks to James Scott and Captain Richard Davenport for

taking the time to write the reviews which appear in this col- umn. We have established a review team of your colleagues throughout the country. If you are interested in being a member of this panel, please send me your name and ad- dress.

Journal Offprints Available

Offprints of five series of articles published in the JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION are available. These offprints are useful as resources for ~ersonal and classroom use; reduced rates are offered for 10 or more copies sent to the same address. In order to keep processing costs at a minimum, full payment must accompany all orders. Indicate number of copies, identify offprint by full title, and send with check or money order to Journal of Chemical Education Offprints, 238 Kent Road, Springfield, PA 19064.

1 t o 9 10 or more copies copies

State of the Art: Solid State Chemistry $5.00 $4.00 (62 pages, color cover)

State of the Art: Radiation Chemistry 6.00 4.50 (96 pages, color cover)

State of the Art: Polymer Chemistry 6.50 5.00 (120 pages, color cover)

Chemistry of Art 3.00 2.00 (28 pages, color cover)

Chemistry of Art-A Sequel 4.00 3.00 (44 pages)

Volume 58 Number 12 December 1981 1033