Lecture #16, Monday, May 4th

I started lecture today by analyzing what would result if we attempted to make a solid solution between NaCl and KCl. Since Na⁺ and K⁺ are fairly close in ionic radii a complete solid solution can exist, which has the rock salt structure. The evidence supporting this claim is proper interpretation of the X-ray diffraction pattern.

In your research project we don't know the answers to the questions we are trying to ask. We have to PROVE our conclusions are true. In order to do this you need to use the advanced instrumentation (XRD and UV-Vis) and be able to interpret what these machines are telling us. The main thing we will be analyzing in REEL lab #4 is if a solid solution formed or you have a 2 Phase mixture and what electronic excitations are giving rise to the color in your solid solutions.

Now going back to the lecture topics, we next looked at the solid solution between LiCl and RbCl, and found that the Li_0.5Rb_0.5Cl was not a solid solution at all, rather a two phase mixture. This was determined from the direct interpretation of the XRD pattern. There were peaks present in the pattern from both the structures of LiCl and RbCl and from that we determined two phases were present.

At this point in lecture our special guest, President E. Gordon Gee arrived to talk to you about the importance of research in our University community and in today's society. As President Gee looked up and pointed at the periodic table his first response was "Now that's what made me a lawyer. Organic Chemistry."

A few comments/facts President Gee said that stuck out to me...

He was able to rattle off the exact number of students enrolled at Ohio State and he listed us as the #9 school in terms of the amount of money earned from research grants. This tells me that everyone has the opportunity to do research in some capacity.

He also touched on how many options students have here at Ohio State. Not only from majors to choose from, but there are extraordinary faculty members here that you have the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with. Take advantage of this.

President Gee also pointed out how different the academic setting is from when he was in school. Years ago students came to college, had a big party, joined a fraternity or sorority, sang kum ba ya, and in four years they had a job. Today's academic climate has changed and more and more focus is on research.

He also shared with us a conversation he had with the Ambassador for education from China. One of the questions in his discussion was "What are you doing to make your students more creative?" It is creativity and the ability to think critically that will separate you from the rest of your peers. I hope the REEL project really emphasizes these points and challenges you to creatively think for yourself. It is a different train of thought than following a 30 step process and getting an answer that you know should be correct. It is a research train of thought and rather than asking "Is this right?" you are now being able to prove to me and your TA that you arrived at a correct conclusion.

I hope you could take something away from what President Gee has to say. We are very privileged to have him as our President and it is great to know that he cares for the students enough to come in and talk and try to encourage and motivate and inspire us to get involved with research. I would encourage all of you to check out the web page of the Undergraduate Research Office (URO) and it is my goal to get all of you matched up with a professor you could do research with in your major field. This is an excellent place to start in terms of looking for research here at the University.

On day #1 of the REEL lab this week the main objective is to collect an XRD and diffuse reflectance spectra of all your compounds. On day #2 of this week we will analyze them and try to determine the reason why the solid solutions exist the way they do and to figure out the reason for the variation in color across a solid solution series.

After tomorrow's lab I will update the blog with the results obtained from the XRD and UV-Vis and Wednesday's lecture will go into detail with specific examples collected during Mon and Tues.

There is also a quiz on Wed/Thurs of this week. Be sure to look over the questions I posted on carmen for REEL labs #2 and #3. They will make up a large portion of the quiz.

I hope everyone enjoyed President Gee's comments today. See you in class on Wed, Dr. Fus