Modeling Chemical Reactions with the Gaussian Gun

Authors

Leslie Atkins Elliott, Boise State UniversityFollow
Elizabeth Sippola, Boise State University
Jeffrey Watkins, Boise State University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-8-2019

Abstract

In this article, we describe how the Gaussian Gun, a simple configuration of magnets and ball bearings, can be leveraged to connect ideas from physics to representations and ideas that are central to chemistry and challenging for students to learn. In particular, we show how the Gaussian Gun, an arrangement of ball bearings and magnets, models much of the physics behind chemical bonds and exothermic reactions, and develops students’ understanding of reaction maps

Publication Information

Atkins Elliott, Leslie; Sippola, Elizabeth; and Watkins, Jeffrey. (2019). "Modeling Chemical Reactions with the Gaussian Gun". Journal of Chemical Education, 96(1), 100-103. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.8b00709