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This web site is written as a resource package for all sciences teachers but particularly those concerned with year 11 and 12 chemistry and physics.

The intention is to relate these sciences with Tasmanian rural industries. Criteria in these subjects which emphasize science in society can be assessed through setting assignments based on this site.

CHEMISTRY   

The web site includes pages on elementary carbon chemistry, alkanes, alkenes, benzene and terpenes with animations of covalent bonding and the various structural representations including skeleton diagrams.

Skeletal diagrams are used extensively along with ball and stick models.

Molecular 3D structures throughout this web site were created in Molecules 3-D vs 2.5 of Molecular Arts Corporation formerly at http://www.molecules.com, a truly excellent shareware program available for both Windows and Mac. The Pro version is very powerful. A very good exercise would be to obtain a license for this and have students experiment in molecular construction as an adjunct to the traditional ball and sick models both for Physical Sciences and Chemistry.

The introduction to carbon chemistry in Physical Sciences SC786 can be carried out using the Essential Oils industry as a resource.

- Students can be asked to list isomers, alkanes, cyclo structures and alkenes. An idea might be to have samples of these oils available.

Higher order carbon chemistry of CH856 should look to the Wine Industry as well as Essential Oils.

- A worthwhile exercise, when introducing -COOH , -OH, ketones and other such chemicals would be to produce both fruits and the individual acids, - tartaric, citric, malic etc, the alcohols and so on - and taste and smell them.

The chemistry of the Alkaloid Industry has interesting 3D structures. Using the computer program above, have them try to construct morphine etc.

- Students should be able to calculate the molecular masses of the various opiates of the poppy as well as find the empirical and molecular formulae of these chemicals.

- They should also be able to identify the changes to the molecular structures from thebaine to morphine.

- Discussion can be requested about the need and difficulty in achieving chemical purity in the product given the similarities between the molecules. Chemistry CH856 students could be asked to discuss possible processes to separate the different compounds given their similarities.

PHYSICS

Generally this is at a higher level than SC786 though Instrumentation Nuclear Magnetic Resonance workings have some validity in the study of the atom structure. It is indeed easier to set Year 12 physics assignments based on the instruments.

Possible assignments or studies.

- Further work on spectral analysis in visible and infrared light.

- mass spectrometer study in "magnetism"

- subatomic "spin" - polarization - studies

- Climate, sunshine levels and latitude.

- Satellite extension work in remote sensing

- extension of spectrum knowledge with studies into the infrared.

- study in reflection properties of plants,

- absorption of radiation by the atmosphere.

It is particularly worthwhile using this package to emphasize how the "branches" or disciplines of science have now merged seamlessly. Biology moves into physics and into chemistry and vice versa smoothly as students increasingly realise the ultimate dependency of the fields of study on a knowledge of atoms and light hence quantum mechanics.

Jason Dicker would appreciate, comments etc. (mailto: jdicker@launc.tased.edu.au)

May 2001