The brief career of a prolific, pioneering physical organic chemist, Elliot Ritchie Alexander, Jr.

Abstract

However, the aim of our paper was t o present a new method suitable for teaching reaction kinetics in a practical class. In this respect, for first-order reactions:It ia both a differential and a time-lag method, and so both these notions can he imparted in one experiment. It is suitable for nractical classes of limited duration since it -~ ~~ ~ enables a rapid and direct estimation of the rate constant. Only a part of rherurveisreqoireda~opposed toestimationof t , .,which requires one lo wait ior Y , . It dues not requireacomputer, hut it can he readily computerized, if desired, using the Savirzky-Golay algorithm.Furthermore, the RIRA ratio can be employed to study reactions whose global order is two. I t can readily detect a run during whichit is likely to assume pseudo-first-order conditions:At the beginning of the reaction, the plot RIRA versus time displays a significant curvature, as long as the system is far from pseudo-first-order conditions. At the end of the reaction the plot becomeslinear and goestoward the origin as soon as the pseudo-first-order conditions are reached.This anolication was oart of our manuscript as originally submi&d, but for the sake of brevity these ksults had to be left out. Thev will be ~ublished in the March 1991 issue of the New ~o u r n a l of heni is try.We feel that although the RIRA method can certainly be improved, it does present some advantages over existing methods, especially for teaching purposes. Literature Cited. . 3579-3589. 4. successfully.For several years I have taught a general chemistry course for engineering technology students. At the beginning of the second semester each student must select an element from a list provided.The student must then research and compile enough information about the element to present a 5-min talk to his or her classmates. I t has been interesting to observe the properties and uses of an element that interest a future technologist. Sometimes they even bring in examples, such as cadmium-olated bolts.he class is made more attentive by the requirement that the soeaker summarize his or her talk with the "three most unuhal features or properties of the element". These three facts then are nossible resDonses to exam questions. This approach had been used not only tb add some interestine descriotive chemistw to the course but also to incorporace the basic requirements to read, research, write, and speak into a science course. The Wet Career of a Prollfb, Ploneerlng Physical Organlc Chemlst, Elllot Rltchle Alexander, Jr. To the Editor: Janet 6. Van DorenSince I was one of Alexander's students, I have been asked by friends whether I knew anything as to why the article by Paul R. Jones 11987.64.882-8831 came to be written. I t was suggested thacthe fblliwing background information would be of interest to others: hence the reason for this note.A few years ago I ieceived a letter from Jones of the University of New Hampshire that he had become acquainted with the two sons of Alexander (one was a student at UNH. and the other was in the U S ....