Chemistry 410
History of
Physical Chemistry
Announcements
CHEM 410 has a limited enrollment. If you wish to take this course, you are advised to register early.
Course
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Course Description
CHEM 410
HISTORY OF CHEMISTRY
3 hours
A survey of the development of chemistry.
This course focuses on the
historical development of physical chemistry as a discipline, particularly in
the
PREREQUISITE: General Chemistry.
This class is intended to contribute to the liberal arts education of students (mission 3) and increase the general literacy with respect to the origin of the subject (General Education Goal #2). You will learn about the history of physical chemistry and related subjects, how they developed over time and how they influence the way we think about chemistry today. The course is a second-writing course, so you will learn about communication through writing, as well as through communication in class. (10)
Course Venue
Ø Tuesdays and Thursdays Ø 2:00 – 3:15 p.m. Ø 218 Gore Hall |
Instructor
Ø Cecil Dybowski Ø 035 Brown Laboratory
Ø (302) 831-2726
Ø dybowski@udel.edu
Ø Office Hours: Any time, if available
|
Texts
o K.
J. Laidler, The
World of Physical Chemistry,
o J.
W. Servos, Physical Chemistry from Ostwald to Pauling,
Other Interesting Books
Diana Kormos Barkan, Walther Nernst and the Transition to Modern Physical Science, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1999.
Cathy Cobb, Magick,
Mayhem, and Mavericks: The Spirited
History of Physical Chemistry, Prometheus Books,
Patrick Coffey, Cathedrals of Science,
Andrew Ede, The Rise and Decline of Colloid Science in North America, 1900 – 1935, Ashgate Publishers, Burlington, Vermont, 2007.
Richard P. Feynman, The Pleasure of Finding Things Out, Perseus
Publishing,
Istvan Hargittai, TheRoad to
Aaron J. Ihde,
The Development of Modern Chemistry,
Stephen Inwood,
The Forgotten Genius: The Biography of
Robert Hooke 1635 – 1703, MacAdam/Cage Press,
Laylin K. James, Nobel Laureates in Chemistry 1901 –1992, American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C., 1993.
Lisa Jardine,
The Curious Life of Robert Hooke, The
Man Who Measured
David Lindley, Degrees Kelvin: A
Tale of Genius, Invention, and Tragedy, Joseph Henry Press,
Tom Schachtman, Absolute Zero and the Conquest of Cold, Mariner Books, New York, 2002.
John T. Stock, Ostwald’s
American Students,Plaidswede Publishing,
Exams
and Papers
Exams
There will be two examinations, as indicated on the assignment table. The examinations will have multiple-choice
and essay questions covering the reading and class discussions. There is no final examination in this
course.
Papers
Because this is a second-writing course, students are expected to develop
original papers on historical aspects of physical chemistry. Each paper has a
length limit, imposed to prevent sensory overload of the instructor. Aside from
the word limit, elements such as content, style, neatness and attention to
writing details determine the grade. All papers must be double-spaced, typed
(no handwritten papers allowed) on white paper, and neat. Papers are due no later than the beginning
of class, as indicated in the schedule. Late papers (with an unexcused absence)
will not be accepted and grades of zero are assigned for them. The paper should be sent to the instruction
as a document (PDF) by attaching it to an electronic message before the time it is due; see the
instructor if you cannot send the paper in this manner. Plagiarism in all its forms is punishable by
assignment of a grade of zero; that includes – but is not limited to –
undocumented use of appreciable work of others as if it is your own.
o Writing sample
A one-page discussion of a contribution to the literature. The discussion should explain the results given in the paper, the methods, and the reason that the authors chose this particular topic. The article is “Experimental and Theoretical Differential Cross Sections for a Four-Atom Reaction: HD + OH ® H2O + D” by Xiao et al. The reference is Xiao, Chunlei, et al., Science 2011, 333, 440 - 442. This paper is graded on understanding of the subject (as given by the content of your paper), as well as on style, neatness, and attention to the details of writing. Be sure to use appropriate referencing. Do not reference internet sites.
o Paper 1
Paper 1 is an essay about a controversial topic derived from readings. It should be no more than 500 words and demonstrate a particular point of view on the topic. It is graded only on style, neatness, and on attention to details of writing, not on content.
o Paper 2
Paper 2 is the major paper in this course. It should range from 2000 to 3000 words in length. Each student is randomly assigned a topic (perhaps the name of some person in the history of physical chemistry), on which he/she must write an original paper based on the person's life or on some incident in physical chemistry with which he/she is involved. It must be original in content. It must use careful writing style, adhering to the rules of grammar and organization. The paper is given a provisional grade and returned to the student; a student may return a rewritten version of the paper for additional credit, or accept the provisional grade as the final grade (by not returning a revised version).
o Paper 3
This paper is a short (no more than two pages) exposition of a topic in the history of physical chemistry. It must be clear, concise, and complete. The topic is chosen by the student and must be original. It will be graded on both style, content, and originality.
BECAUSE STUDENTS HAVE SUFFICIENT TIME TO COMPLETE ALL ASSIGNMENTS,
THERE ARE NO INCOMPLETES IN THIS CLASS.
Class Attendance and Participation
Attendance is mandatory and is checked each class period. Absences are excused only for illness or university-approved activities (sports or band, for example). Exams, homework or quizzes missed because of an unexcused absence are given grades of zero. Not only is attendance mandatory, but participation in the discussion is a determinant of your grade. (See below.) Assignments are due on specific days, and will not be accepted later than that, except for excused absences.
Grading
|
Grade Weights o Writing sample, 5% o Paper 1, 5% o Paper 2, 20% (10% for outline; 10% for the final paper) o Paper 3, 10% o Each exam, 25% o Class attendance and participation, 10% |
Grade Cutoffs (in percentages of total points) o A greater than 90% o B greater than 80% o C greater than 70% o D greater than 60% o F below 60% |
Assignments
|
Week |
Dates |
Topic(s) |
|
Writing |
|
1 |
8/28 and 8/30 |
Writing and communication in science |
|
|
|
2 |
9/4 and 9/6 |
Physical chemistry, the meaning of research, philosophies of science |
Laidler 1 |
Writing sample due 9/4 |
|
3 |
9/11 and 9/13 |
Physical science before the 1880’s; communication in science |
Laidler 2 |
|
|
4 |
9/18 and 9/20 |
Early physics and chemistry |
Laidler 3 |
Writing sample revision due 9/18 |
|
5 |
9/25 and 9/27 |
Physical science |
Laidler 3 |
Meet in Morris Library 9/25; Paper 1 due 9/25; Paper 2 assignment |
|
6 |
10/2 and 10/4 |
Library searches; Absolute Zero |
Laidler 4 |
10/2: Morris Library
116A |
|
7 |
10/9 and 10/11 |
Race for Absolute Zero |
Laidler 4 |
Paper 1 revision due by 10/9 |
|
8 |
10/16 and 10/18 |
Kinetic theory; statistical ideas |
Laidler 5 |
Paper 2 outline due 10/18 |
|
9 |
10/23 and 10/25 |
Bunsen, Kirchoff, and chemical spectroscopy |
Laidler 6 |
EXAM 1, Oct 25
|
|
10 |
10/30 and 11/1 |
Chemical kinetics; electrochemistry and the Ionists |
Laidler 8, 7 |
|
|
11 |
11/8 |
Physical chemistry between continents, Americans in Europe |
Servos 1 |
11/6: NO CLASS |
|
12 |
11/13 and 11/15 |
NO CLASSES |
Servos 2,3 |
WORK ON PAPER 2 |
|
13 |
11/20 |
Americans in Ostwald’s
laboratory, beginnings of physical chemistry in America |
Servos 4, 5 |
Paper 2 due 11/20 NO CLASS, 11/22 |
|
14 |
11/20 |
Bancroft and qualitative physical
chemistry, the Noyes laboratory, Willis Whitney and industrial basic research |
Servos 6,7 |
Topic of paper 3 and outline due 11/16 |
|
15 |
11/27 and 11/29
|
The origins of quantum chemistry
|
Laidler 10 |
Paper 3 due 11/27 |
|
16 |
12/4 |
Second
examination
|
|
EXAM 2, 12/4
|
Copyright, Cecil Dybowski, 1998-2012.
Last Updated: October 4, 2012.
This page maintained by Cecil Dybowski.
URL of this document:
http://www.udel.edu/pchem/C410/c410.htm