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2006
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April
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In the Classroom
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Give Them Money: The Boltzmann Game, a Classroom or Laboratory Activity Modeling Entropy Changes and the Distribution of Energy in Chemical Systems
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Robert M. Hanson
Department of Chemistry, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN 55057
Bridget Michalek
Eastview High School, Apple Valley, MN 55124
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April 2006
Vol. 83 No. 4
p. 581
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| Abstract |
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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.
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| 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.
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 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).
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| More Information |
Citation |
Hanson, Robert M.; Michalek, Bridget. J. Chem. Educ. 2006 83 581.
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Keywords |
Demonstrations; Equilibrium; First-Year Undergraduate / General; Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives; High School / Introductory Chemistry; Inorganic Chemistry; Laboratory Instruction; Statistical Mechanics; Thermodynamics
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History |
Created:
Last Updated: |
2/24/2006
3/6/2006
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| Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues >
2006
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April
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581
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