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NOTE: YOU MUST HAVE 6 REFERENCES
FOR THIS PAPER SHORT RESEARCH PAPER AND ORAL PRESENTATION
Chemistry I (L321
Fall Semester, 200 Dr.
Jeff Ashley/Dr. Peter Mattschei PAPERS ARE DUE: April 20, 2007 Short Research Paper: We’re all familiar with Dupont’s marketing slogan “Better Living Through Chemistry”. To a large degree, this slogan rings very true to many of us. Likely you can list numerous ways by which chemistry has impacted your life. The task involved in this research paper is to choose one specific example of “Better Living Through Chemistry” and describe the chemical theory behind it, how it was invented/established/created, how it benefited/improved society in general (or at least made your life easier), and what it replaced (or what eventually replaced it!). Some examples of “Better Living Through Chemistry” are: - desalinization of water to provide fresh water for those in arid countries -
the cosmetic industries use of specific chemicals to formulate make-ups
and fragrances -
the invention and use of specific polymers to fill a specific role (i.e.,
PVC piping that replaced leaded pipes in homes and offices) -
chemical dyes and synthetic textiles (without chemistry we’d be wearing
drab clothes color and fabric wise!) -
Lots of other crazy, interesting, bizarre ones like dental mercury
amalgam, breast implants, analytical instruments like the pH meter, etc! As I mentioned in class, some of the early examples “Better Living Through Chemistry” ended up being detrimental to humans and other organisms. Take for example the synthesis and use of the pesticide DDT. The chemist who invented it was awarded a Nobel Prize. Its benefit to humans was its widespread use as a potent and very effective pesticide. In tropical countries, its use had, and still has, enormous benefits in that it reduces the spread of malaria by killing the vector (mosquito in this case) carrying it. However, in the 1960’s evidence supporting its negative impacts on wildlife such as the American bald eagle came into light. You may choose to highlight one of these examples of “Better Living Through Chemistry….Perhaps Not” or stick to the traditional “Better Living Through Chemistry”. What should be in your written report? A 2-3 page overview of your example of “Better Living Through Chemistry”. This should include: 1) An introductory paragraph providing an overview of the example you choose. 2) The main body of the paper should include: -a description of the conditions before the advent of your “Better Living Through Chemistry” example -how your example came to be (how was it invented or formulated) -describe the chemistry behind the example (this is a chemistry class so this should be a major portion of the body of the paper) -how did it benefit the world/society (or perhaps a small part of it)!
-have there been advances on your example since its
implementation , invention or -were there any negative aspects to the implementation/invention/formulation example you choose? 3) A final paragraph that sums up your paper and provides an overview of the benefits of your example to society. Perhaps provide some speculation of how this will further change in the future (will you example be obsolete soon and what will replace it?). 4) Citation or Reference Section - For this course, you must use MLA format to reference but in subsequent science course, you'll learn other ways! See www.philau.edu/learning for an extensive guide to MLA documentation. Grading: Keep in mind your paper will constitute 7.5% of the course grade! Your grade will be based on the clarity and style of your writing, proper citation of articles you used, correct use of grammar and correct spelling, and if the paper contains all the points mentioned above. I HIGHLY suggest you take a draft copy of your paper to the Writing Center. Do this a many weeks prior to the due date. On February 23, 2007, you must submit a ˝ page description of example of “Better Living Through Chemistry” and list at list two references you have found to date
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