|
|
| Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues >
2000
>
November
> |
|
In the Classroom
|
|
|
|
Correctly Expressing Atomic Weights
|
Moreno Paolini
Department of Pharmacology, Biochemical Toxicology Unit, University of Bologna, via Irnerio, 48, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
Giovanni Cercignani and Carlo Bauer
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Biochemistry Unit, University of Pisa, via S. Maria, 55, I-56100 Pisa, Italy
|
|
November 2000
Vol. 77 No. 11
p. 1438
|
|
|
|
| Abstract |
Very often, atomic or molecular weights are expressed as dimensionless quantities, but although the historical importance of their definition as "pure numbers" is acknowledged, it is inconsistent with experimental formulas and with the theory of measure in general. Here, we propose on the basis of clear-cut formulas that, contrary to customary statements, atomic and molecular weights should be expressed as dimensional quantities (masses) in which the Dalton (= 1.663 x 10-24 g) is taken as the unit.
See Letter re: this article.
|
|
| More Information |
 Citation |
Paolini, Moreno; Cercignani, Giovanni; Bauer, Carlo. J. Chem. Educ. 2000 77 1438.
|
Keywords |
Demonstrations; General Chemistry; Nomenclature / Units / Symbols; Teaching/Learning Theory/Practice; Textbooks
|
History |
Created:
Last Updated: |
October 6, 2000
April 15, 2005
|
|
Link to Letter added (April 2004).
|
|
|
|
| Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues >
2000
>
November
> Page
1438
|
|
|
| JCE HS CLIC |
|
Our Secondary School editors work hard to distill all the JCE materials to produce a fraction of particular interest to high school teachers. We call it CLIC.
|
| Contributions Welcome |
| JCE welcomes your submission |
| Advertisers |
| In recent years we have worked hard to better match our advertisers with our readers. When shopping for chemistry education materials, visit our advertisers' WWW sites first. |
| Be An Ambassador |
| Take JCE along on your outreach missions. Copies of the Journal, guest access to JCE Online, our publications catalog, and more are available for your participants. |
|
