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In Search of a Deep Understanding of Cu2+/0 and Zn2+/0 E0 Values

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Steven H. Strauss

Colorado State University, Department of Chemistry, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1872

J. Chem. Educ., 1999, 76 (8), p 1095

DOI: 10.1021/ed076p1095

Publication Date (Web): August 1, 1999

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

This paper presents an example of an interesting way to introduce periodic trends in undergraduate inorganic chemistry courses. The student, guided by the instructor, "investigates" the significantly different M^2+/0 E° values for two adjacent period 4 elements, copper and zinc, as though the investigation were a research project. Periodic trends involving M^2+/0 reduction potentials (M = Ca, Ti-Zn), M²⁺ hydration energies, first and second ionization energies of Ca-Zn, and sublimation energies of Ca-Zn are investigated on a need-to-know basis, and the student learns how a deep understanding of chemical reactivity can result only when layer upon layer of complexity is peeled back and examined. All of the metals from calcium through zinc react with aqueous HCl, except for copper. However, after studying the copper/zinc "problem", the student will realize that zinc, and not copper, is the metal that behaves in an unusual fashion. Since lectures based on this material would be integrated and have a common theme, the periodic trends may be more meaningful to the student and may not seem like so many disjointed concepts to be memorized.

Keywords (Audience):

Second-Year Undergraduate

Keywords (Domain):

Inorganic Chemistry

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Misconceptions / Discrepant Events

Keywords (Subject):

Periodicity / Periodic Table

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This article has been cited by 1 ACS Journal articles (1 most recent appear below).

In Search of a Deep Understanding of the Relative Stabilities of Transition Metal Halides
Steven H. Strauss
Journal of Chemical Education2001 78 (12), 1635
- In Search of a Deep Understanding of the Relative Stabilities of Transition Metal Halides
  Steven H. Strauss
  Journal of Chemical Education2001 78 (12), 1635
  This paper presents an alternative way to introduce vertical periodic trends in undergraduate inorganic chemistry courses. Guided by the instructor, students investigate the stable, stoichiometric halides of vanadium, niobium, and tantalum. Group trends ...
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