Reforming the General Chemistry Textbook (7)

Abstract

Reforming the General Chemistry TextbookIt was exhilarating to read your commentary on one prescription for launching "The Reformation" (J. Chem. Educ. 1997, 7 4, 484). I've voiced an opinion for some years now that the macro-to-micro connection is a viable way to make chemistry intrinsically interesting to "clients" whose curriculum forces them to enroll in introductory chemistry courses. I advocate a top-down approach wherein, for example, a printed circuit is examined initially as a macroscopic composite "solid." Then the solid would be examined with increasing magnification-the nature of the materials used to encapsulate the electronic components, the composition (and fabrication) of the component parts such as silicon wafers for integrated circuits, etc.-until one can appreciate the structure/bonding in silicon and the roll that impurities play in electronic conduction.Thanks for making the case for the macro-to-micro connection so convincingly.