CHEMISTRY & SOCIETY
CHEM 118
Spring 2001
Chemistry and Society is designed for Liberal Arts and Education Majors in order to make these individuals more knowledgeable about chemistry and its impact on our world. We will study the chemical principles associated with topics of current interest, such as global warming, designer drugs, and nuclear fission. In order to make better connections between what we are studying and current events, the following are some general sites you may want to explore.
Yahoo Current Events in Science and Technology
Chapter 1- The Air We Breathe
Chapter 1 deals with pollution problems in the troposphere where life exists. The composition of the air, the pollutants, and causes and solutions to polution are discussed. Here are some sites with further information on pollution and solutions.
Environmental Protection Agency
Chapter 2- Protecting the Ozone Layer
Chapter 2 discusses the purpose of ozone in the stratosphere. It examines the current decline in the ozone layer and how that will affect life on planet Earth. See these sites for more on the ozone layer.
Environmental Protection Agency- Ozone Depletion
Earth Probe- Graphical Images on Ozone
Chapter 3- The Chemistry of Global Warming
Chapter 3 discusses the causes of the Greenhouse Effect and explains how this may be a cause of Global Warming. It also addresses the debate over the reality of Global Warming. See these sites for more information on the above topics.
Global Warming: Understanding the Forecast
Union of Concerned Scientist: Global Warming
The Cold Facts on Global Warming
Chapter 4- Energy, Chemistry, and Society
Chapter 4 looks at our sources of energy since the Industrial Revolution. It examines the benefits and drawbacks of each type of energy. The authors suggest methods of conserving energy as well as alternative sources of energy. Find more information about energy at these sites.
Green-e Renewable Electricity Program
Chapter 5- The Wonder of Water
Chapter 5 examines the properties of water that make it the perfect "universal solvent". Solubility, hydrogen bonding, polarity, and surface tension are discussed. Also addressed are water purification and water conservation. See the sites below for more on the wonder of water.
Drastic Measures for Water Conservation during Drought
Chapter 6- Neutralizing the Threat of Acid Rain
In chapter 6, the causes and effects of acid rain are identified. Here are sites on this topic that may interest you.
