JCE Online Journal of Chemical Education
 | Subscriptions  | Software Orders  | Support  | Contributors  | Advertisers  | 

JCE Print
   Current Issue
 Previous Issues
 Supplements
 Search JCE Index

JCE Digital Library
   JCEDLib Catalogue
   ChemInfo
 Data-Driven Exercises
 DigiDemos
 Featured Molecules
 LivTexts
 LrnCom
 QBank
 SymMath
 WebWare

JCE Software
   Latest Releases
 Software & Video
 Downloads
 Support

Only@JCE Online
   JCE Online Store
 JCE HS CLIC
 JCE Discussion Forums
   Biographical Snapshots
 ChemEd Resource Shelf
 Featured Molecules
 Hal's Picks
 Project Chemlab
 Reviewed WWW Sites
 "Web-Ed" Articles

About JCE
   Features
 Publications
 Operations
 Outreach
 Contact Us


  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 1999  > March  >
Chemistry Everyday for Everyone
An Easy and Effective Classroom Demonstration of Population Distributions
Marjorie A. Jones
Illinois State University, Department of Chemistry, Normal, IL 61780-4160
Cover
March 1999
Vol. 76 No. 3
p. 384
Abstract
Using a simple experimental design and easily obtained materials, a classroom experiment was conducted to demonstrate normal-distribution behavior for a population. We used popcorn and a hot-air popper. Popped kernels were collected with time and data were plotted as popped kernels per time interval versus time. The data clearly showed a normal (Gaussian) distribution. The width of the peak (broad or narrow) was clearly influenced by the time intervals sampled. This experiment could easily be done at the middle school, high school, or college freshman level. Results can be extrapolated to other populations such as atoms, molecules, or societies.
More Information
*  Citation
 Jones, Marjorie A. J. Chem. Educ. 1999 76 384.
*  Keywords
 Guassian distribution; Teaching / Learning Aids; Introductory / High School Chemistry
*  History
 Created:
Last Updated:		 June 15, 1999
June 22, 2005
<< Previous Article Table of Contents Next Article >>
  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 1999 > March > Page 384



Chemistry Teacher Connection

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.
More About CTC
Order the Chemistry Teacher Connection

C&EN CLICs

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. 
 C&EN CLICs

JCE Collections Available
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.
 List of available collections

Contributions Welcome
JCE welcomes your submission
 Contributors's Corner

Subscriptions
 Subscription Info
 Order Forms

Fishing for New Ideas
Always in the
process of
improving, CLIC
welcomes ideas and comments.

Email Us

Comments to
jceonline@chem.wisc.edu		 Copyright © Division of Chemical Education, Inc., American Chemical Society.
All rights reserved.