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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2001  > July  >
In the Classroom
Applications and Analogies
A Known-to-Unknown Approach to Teach about Empirical and Molecular Formulas
P. K. Thamburaj
Department of Chemistry, Ohio University Center, Zanesville, OH 43701
Cover
July 2001
Vol. 78 No. 7
p. 915
Abstract
Students learn better when relationships in chemistry (Unknown) are similar to life experiences (Known). The procedure used to determine empirical and molecular formulas of compounds may be illustrated by presenting problems associated with the composition of sums of money (number of different bills) a person may have. The atomic masses are analogous to values of different bills, the empirical formula mass to minimum amount of total money required to retain the ratio of bills, and the molar mass to the sum of money a person may have.
More Information
*  Citation
 Thamburaj, P. K. J. Chem. Educ. 2001 78 915.
*  Keywords
 General Chemistry; Introductory / High School Chemistry; Stoichiometry; Teaching / Learning Aids
*  History
 Created:
Last Updated:		 June 6, 2001
April 14, 2005
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