There is no chemical wisdom here.
I couldn't resist, however, sharing a snippet of one of my old journals that made me chuckle.
Sometimes all we teachers want is to convey wonder. And it isn't always easy.
On Wed., my usually bright and lively Gen Chem II class was completely dead. I went through a long calculation using thermodynamics theory to arrive at the free energy change for a reaction. Then I went through electrochemistry theory, assuming the reaction was in a battery, to derive the exact same number, using a different equation.
This made the truth more universal, and I thought it was impressive! "Look, 53 kilojoules!" I point to the board.
I expected them to just jump up and applaud at that point. I was met by no response whatsoever. All that effort for nothing! "Well, if that doesn't impress you, I just don't know what to say," I sighed. "Are you all bored, or stunned? I can't tell, because the expressions are the same.”
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