Described here is a short, simple activity we call the "Boltzmann game" that can be used in any high school or college chemistry classroom or lab to explore the way energy is distributed in real chemical systems and as an entry into discussions of the probabilistic nature of entropy. All that is needed is about 30 minutes, some open space, some paper money, and a group of students who know how to play (or can be taught quickly) the game "rock–paper–scissors." The relationships among probability, energy distribution, microstates, equilibrium, fluctuation, chemical reaction, and entropy as a measure of the "dispersal" of energy are discussed in the context of this activity.
Supplement
Student versions, instructor notes, including the suggested form for collecting data, Boltzmann bucks, Morse potential data for H2, HCl, and Cl2, and Visual Basic programs and are available.
Contents
Folder JCE2006p0581W containing JCE2006p0581W.doc and boltzdollars.doc (Microsoft Word), JCE2006p0581W.xls (Microsoft Excel), JCE2006p0581W.wpd (Word Perfect), and boltz.exe and wintropy.exe (Windows executable).
The "Chemistry Teacher Connection" (CTC) is especially for high school chemistry teachers. For only $40/year, it offers an online-only subscription to CLIC along with membership in the Division of Chemical Education, normally $65/year. CTC subscribers receive access to all articles and supplements from 1996 through the current issue.
Through special arrangement with the ACS, JCE High School CLIC is now able to provide subscribers with online access to Chemical & Engineering News articles that have been selected specifically for secondary science instructors and their students.
Occasionally, collections of JCE back issues become available for donation to individual teachers, schools, or libraries. JCE matches collections with interested recipients. Recipients pay shipping costs or pick up the collection.
For journals in other fields of chemistry visit ACS Publications.
Contents
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