This set of lessons and applets is assigned as homework. As each concept is introduced, an applet, accompanied by a series of exercises involving the applet, will be provided to aid understanding of the concepts. Each lesson is followed by a set of questions. Before beginning please complete the following pretest to help us evaluate and improve these materials.

Software Compatibility

The virtual labs require that you have installed Java SE 5 or higher. If you are having difficulties viewing the applets, you can determine whether you have a compatible version of the Java Runtime Environment installed on your computer at the Java Tester site . If you need to download, you can find the latest version at Java SE Downloads. Please select Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) from the list of downloads.

Attention Firefox 3.6 users. If you are having difficulty running the applets using Firefox 3.6, please install Java version 6 update 10 or later & try again.

SURVEYS

• Before taking the virtual labs, please take a PRETEST at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=sBAsGK48duvD1RK1SCMUBA_3d_3d.
• After completing all the virtual labs, please take the POST-TEST
• After completing all the virtual labs and the post-test, please take a BRIEF SURVEY in order to give us feedback on your experience using these materials.

The links to the post-test and brief survey are at the bottom of the page, after the lessons.

Thank you and we appreciate your participation.

Activity Handout and Questions

For easy reference, you may download a printable version of this activity.

• Online Activity Handout [15 pages to follow along with activity, not to be turned in. All content in this handout is also present on the site. The handout is provided for those who would rather read a printout than a computer screen.]
• Online Activity Questions [2 pages questions to be turned in Friday February 22nd]

Homework Activity

1. Introduction


2. The reaction coordinate


3. The energy landscape


4. Population distributions


5. Motion at constant temperature, and exchange of energy with the heat bath


6. Thermally activated processes


7. Energy and temperature determine the populations


8. Entropy and free energy


9. Mathematical derivation of free energy

POST LESSON SURVEYS

• After completing the pretest and virtual labs, please take a POST-TEST at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=d_2fbnOBnOGfdofMPYxNofHw_3d_3d.
Clicking the DONE button at the end of the post-test will take you to a BRIEF SURVEY requesting feedback. Your identifying information will not be associated with this final survey.
• If you have completed the pretest, all the virtual labs, and the post-test, but did not follow the link to the BRIEF SURVEY at the end of the post-test, please complete the BRIEF SURVEY at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=5_2bf7IyN1xa_2fQ8NXuyaOxpA_3d_3d to give us feedback on the Virtual Labs. Your answers to this survey are confidential and you will not be identified.

Your input is important to us because it will help us to improve these materials, which will enhance the learning experience of subsequent students. In order for us to use your input, however, it is important that you complete both tests and the survey mentioned above.