CHED 1492 |
| In this general chemistry laboratory activity, students study soil samples from home and from campus using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry to determine the concentrations of chromium, lead, and iron in the samples. The students draw conclusions about the physical and chemical behavior of solid components in soil and learn about their important link to the environment fate of pollutants. The activity emphasizes how molecular-scale phenomena (adsorption) direct impacts local and global phenomena. Use of a complex instrument such as an ICP spectrometer helps internalize the importance of the laboratory activity. Working in a multi-user scientific facility within the chemistry department integrates general chemistry students into the scientific culture of the department. Studying soil samples from areas where they live motivates students and inspires curiosity and care for the experiment. Finally, students are introduced early on to the important concept of data scattering inherent to most real-life samples. |
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Environmental Chemistry Education
1:30 PM-3:50 PM, Tuesday, April 8, 2008 Hilton New Orleans Riverside -- Magnolia, Oral
Division of Chemical Education |