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Computational Chemistry 2009
Shodor > SUCCEED > Workshops > Archive > Computational Chemistry 2009

The class began with the students trying to figure out which of a few molecules would be sweetest by looking at their chemical structure. They looked for similarities between each molecule and the molecule Glucose, a common sugar. The students found that some of the molecules were actually substances commonly known by other names. They then tried to find a molecule that was similar to a medicine for seasickness that could have negative effects if too many of them were used. They analyzed the structure of the molecule and used it to find a molecule with a similar structure.

The students then did a "virtual lab" which is safer and less expensive than physically doing the lab. They used the virtual lab program to find the concentration of an acid by using it to neutralize a base of known concentration. They did some algebra to find the exact concentration of the acid. They then tried different experiments with the virtual lab program until the class was over.