Looking for a science class this summer? Consider taking “The World of Chemistry”. Chemistry has had a profound impact on the history of human development. Many of the compounds we take for granted today were once responsible for dramatic, fantastic and sometimes cataclysmic changes in the functions of society. European demand for the spice molecule piperine (the basic molecule of pepper) not only fueled early exploration, but also inspired the practice of buying and selling shares in the stock market. A minor housecleaning mishap and an exploding cotton apron led to the development of modern explosives and contributed to the photography and movie industries. These and many other stories are found in “Napoleon’s Button’s”: 17 Molecules That Changed History.” This book gives rise to many questions about the advancement of chemistry in modern science. How many other molecules lay waiting to be discovered or created? How will they shape the future? What wil! l we learn from their predecessors? Who will be the next great chemical minds to fashion the chemistry of tomorrow? Need a writing option? You can choose a molecule or series of molecules and learn about how that molecule changed history. Demonstrations showing the effect of cold temperatures (liquid nitrogen) and very hot temperatures (thermite reaction) will be presented!
OWU Sponsoring Organization/Office: Dept. of Chemistry.
Contact: Kim Lance 740-368-3527 at kalance@owu.edu.