Notes on CHEM110 - General chemistry for those not majoring in science
Fall 2005
Petr Vanýsek
In Fall 2005 we are using the book by General, Organic & Biochemistry: Structures of Life, Special Edition for NIU, based on a text by Karen C. Timberlake.
Here are some notes pertaining to the class, some mentioned in the class, some occurring as newsworthy items, interesting to a chemist.
1. The book itself: Unfortunately, it starts with a grammatical gaffe. The two adjectives, general and organic, are missing a noun to go with. It should have been "General & Organic Chemistry & Biochemistry" or possibly "General, Organic & Bio- Chemistry." However, it does not contain the organic chemistry and biochemistry material, so it really should be called just General Chemistry. The book was produced as an alternative version to a book with more chapters (for 2 semesters, and organic chemistry included). Hopefully, it will be cheaper to you, the student.* The downside is, the book does not show the author's name, so it is nor readily referenced. you will also notice that the index included, is from the full version of the book. Anything showing page number greater than 360 is not included.
If you see any other errors in the book, please, let me know.
* The price may not as advantageous as I originally thought. The soft cover brand new condensed version sells at the NIU bookstore for $86.65. There is also available a used textbook by Timberlake, which is the full version (two semester course), which retails for $92.25. You should consider whether a buy-back at the end of the semester is an option, and whether you prefer lighter brand-new book and decide what is better value for you.
2. Junk Science
'Junk science' hurts nation's bottom line, Argonne director tells business group
from Argonne News October 13, 1997
To stay competitive, America's business managers must pay attention to the costs of
"junk science" as well as follow current developments in real science, said
Argonne Director Dean Eastman in a keynote address at the Illinois State University
business school.
"Essentially," Eastman told the audience of students, professors, and business
people, "in business you must be concerned with two types of science: real science
and perceived science." Perceived science, or junk science, consists of myths or
incorrect ideas that many people believe are true.
Citing the financial impact of perceived science in the fast-food, energy and real estate
industries, Eastman said, "Do not make the mistake of scoffing at perceived science.
Public beliefs affect American businesses every day, whether those beliefs are based on
what we would call real science or not.
"Perceived science can increase yours costs, decrease your market and damage your
image."
As an example, Eastman noted that even though plastic fast-food containers consume fewer
resources and are easier to recycle than paper containers, a widespread belief that paper
is more environmentally friendly than plastic has limited the use of plastic containers.
Eastman blamed what he called "the dismal state of scientific literacy in
America" for the widespread acceptance of junk science, and said the problem cuts
across all educational levels.
He noted that many Americans, including college students, do not understand even simple
science and also believe in "Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, space aliens visiting
earth, and that some people can accurately predict the future using psychic powers."
Business has a financial interest, Eastman said, in working to improve scientific literacy
in the United States, just as it has a competitive need to improve its own links with real
science.
"What is being developed by scientists in labs such as Argonne today will be among
the products and services offered by business tomorrow," Eastman said, adding that
customers have come to expect the latest technology in products.
To continue to provide such cutting-edge technology while remaining price-competitive
worldwide, business is opting "for a rapid, incremental improvement of their
products, and this prompts a time-based division of labor in research and
development," he said.
Corporations increasingly focus on shorter-term research and development, Eastman told the
group, and buy longer-term research services from other companies, from universities and
federal labs such as Argonne. Eastman said he believes such research "melding"
will be one of the dominant trends of the 21st century.
To demonstrate that such a trend is under way, Eastman cited Argonne's present and growing
working relationships with corporations such as Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, duPont,
General Electric, Abbott Labs, Procter & Gamble and Dow on products ranging from fuel
cells and locomotive engines to pharmaceuticals and manufacturing technology.
"Those among you who seek business opportunities in the 21st century could do far
worse than follow the example of these leading corporations," Eastman said.
"When we get right down to it," he added, "I expect that by 2020 the
intertwining of industry, university and government research and development will be far
greater, to the point where it may be all but impossible to 'peel the onion' and separate
the science and technology behind any one product into its industry, university or
government origins."
3. TV Shows. There was MacGyver (1985-1992) and now CSI: Miami (and other CSI versions, where CSI stands for Criminal Scientific Investigation). In each some scientific knowledge is used to solve problems. It is entertaining. It is rooted in facts. But often it is a farce.
4. Chemistry uses calculations that fluidly enter into the lectures and problems.
The following is an example, even though not chemical, of a word problem, that you should
be able to solve:
John is today three times as old as Frank. In three years, John will be
twice as old as Frank. How old are John and Frank today? [You need to set up a set
of linear equations and solve them.] If you do not know how to solve this problem, you
will be very miserable taking the chemistry course.
Inception: 22 August 2003
Last revised: 27 February 2008 16:55
© Petr Vanýsek
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