A case study from Mathematics Matters which looks at the development of optical fibres and how mathematical models have simplified the process of producing them. Modern society relies heavily on a variety of networks, but we don’t fully understand how they behave. Mathematical network theory lets us create models...

This activity is an ideal way to introduce the concept of chirality and optical isomerism to students.

During the lesson they first learn to recognise ...

In this video, Cathie Wells from the University of Reading talks about how she is helping aircraft conserve fuel which reduces greenhouse gas emissions by making use of high resolution forecasts of three dimensional wind speeds in the atmosphere. In the associated activity, students are asked to calculate the best...

This is a problem solving lesson, designed to help you assess how well students are able to:

• Construct lines of sight for the visibility of a camera
• Find and compare the areas of triangles and quadrilaterals
• Calculate and compare percentages and/or fractions of areas

The...

The purposes of this Revised Nuffield Chemistry option were to review the historical development of a field of chemistry with special reference to its applied and social aspects; to study the life and work of one or more famous scientists working in the field; to create an interest in the original writings of...

The first option of Revised Nuffield Chemistry explored the remarkable properties of water and sought to explain them in terms of the polarity of water molecules and hydrogen bonding. Experiments also investigated the properties of detergents and hardness of water. A further topic was the monitoring of water...

Experimental work in this Revised Nuffield Chemistry option explored the characteristic properties of different types of colloid. The everyday importance of colloids was emphasised and this included a section about cosmetics.

Contents

1. What is a colloid?

2. Sols and gels...

This was a new option for Revised Nuffield Chemistry. Preparative practical work included the production of chloroform and aspirin as well as the extraction of caffeine from tea. Analytical practical work included titrations and applications of TLC.

Contents

1. Drugs from natural...

This Revised Nuffield Chemistry option dealt with physical metallurgy, It related important engineering properties of metals to their structures. Practical work includes casting metals, tensile testing and heat treatment.

Contents

1. Metals are crystalline

2. How do metal...

This revised Nuffield Chemistry option began with everyday plastics and sought to demonstrate, measure and explain their properties. Thermoplastics were distinguished from thermosets and the differences explained in terms of the structure and bonding of polymers. A historical section showed how natural materials...

In this Revised Nuffield Chemistry option, ideas about proton and electron transfer were used to explain the decay of stonework and the corrosion of metals. Practical investigations explored the physical and chemical changes that can lead to the breakdown of stone as well as the factors that determine the rate of...

This Revised Nuffield Option aimed to help students see their experience of elements and compounds in a more unified and coherent theoretical framework. The treatment was based on experiment but emphasised theory.

Contents

1. Periodicity

2. Atomic structure

3. Bonding...

Teachers and students had considerable freedom in their response to this Revised Nuffield Chemistry option because under O-level regulations it was teacher assessed. Practical work was based on a ‘real’ industrial process from the fine chemicals industry.

Contents

1. The development...

This Revised Nuffield Chemistry option suggested the use of paper, column and thin-layer chromatography to analyse inks, food colours and coins. Quantitative work was based on the analysis of vitamin C in foods.

Contents

1. Chromatography

2. The determination of vitamin C in...

An article about chiral compounds and the chemistry of flavours like orange and spearmint.

Catalyst is a science magazine for students aged 14-19 years. Find out more about Catalyst magazine: www.stem.org.uk/catalyst