Contents:

• General Directions
• Selection Criteria
• Specific Requirements
• Format
• Resources on the Web
• Grading criteria

General directions:

This is an exercise in using the World Wide Web. u have already found lots of helpful information directly related to this course from the WWW.  This is a writing assignment which requires you to find information that is available exclusively on the WWW.  You may consult the computer lab assistants, the UPJ reference librarians, any reference materials or any on-line resources on the 'Net in completing this exercise. You may also ask me for assistance.

You may choose any element of the Periodic Table with atomic number greater than 10 (that excludes the elements from Hydrogen through Neon!).

• When was the element first discovered? Who discovered it? What is the origin of the name of the element?
• How many isotopes are there and what is the natural abundance of each isotope?
• What is the natural source of the element? For trans uranium elements (i.e. with atomic number > 92) describe the radioactive decay pattern or the process of synthesis.
• Provide the following physical properties:
• density
• atomic and ionic radii
• electronegativity (You will find that there are several scales listed.  Describe the system and list the values.)
• first five ionization energies
• What is the distribution of this element in the human body?
• Is the element toxic? at what levels?
• Does the element play an important role in biological systems? the petroleum or polymer industry? pharmaceuticals? the food and cosmetics industry? the pain-killer industry? the electronics industry? etc.?
• Identify at least 3 compounds containing this element which are commercially available.  Most chemical manufacturing companies have on-line catalogs these days.
• Why did you choose this element?
• You are not limited to these questions. You may be "dry and crusty" or you may use your imagination!

• The autobiography must be typed on 8.5" x 11" paper, one side only, two page limit, no cover page, no plastic folder. Fold the paper in half along the long edge (back facing outward); write your name, the course name and number (Chem 0111), and the date of submission on the outside.
• Use complete sentences and well organized paragraphs. Spelling, grammar and punctuation must be correct! You will find a list of common Pittfalls to Avoid in the Guide for Writing Papers and Citing References
• Document all of your sources!
• Web sites must be documented with full and complete URL.
• Hard copy references must follow the guidelines of the American Chemical Society's Style Guide (in the reference section of the library).
• You may put your URL listings and the references for hard copy on a separate page ("Works cited") or you may list them at the end..
• Be sure to have some kind of number (end note?) that connects them. You may include a discussion of where you found the information as a part of the text of your autobiography.
• Check these "Guidelines for Writing Papers and Citing References"
• ^*If your autobiography is complete before the break, you may turn it in earlier.

Resources on the WWW

There are a variety of sources where you can find this information. A lot of it in print, but you may find yourself chasing references not in the UPJ library. There are many resources on the WWW.

Periodic Tables:

• One of the most extensive Periodic Tables is at the University of Sheffield. If you "click" this button you will go to WebElements, The Periodic Table on the WWW! 
• Chemicool
• Yahoo has a list of Periodic Table sites
• ... you can find information about other Periodic Tables on the WWW at ChemDex.

Others?

Helpful Library Pages:

• The Pitt University Library System has a page dedicated to helping you finding something on the WWW.
• The on-line data bases may also have some helpful information.  However, try the specific www resources first.

Catalogs of Chemical Companies (this is a very small list):

Caution: If you simply search the catalog for your element, you may find products that contain your element as a trace contaminant.  Remember you want a compound that contains your element in the molecular formula!
• Sigma-Aldrich carries a varied line or organic, inorganic, organometallic and biological compounds.
• Alfa Aesar -- An excellent source for metals and inorganic compounds
• Strem Chemical -- They specialize in metals inorganics and organometallics.
• Fisher Chemical  specializes in standard reagents; they are a good place to start
• Fluka-Riedel-de Haën caries mostly organic and organometallic compounds; worth a look.
• Once again, Check Yahoo! You'll find a good list of other chemical companies

Links to sites with nifty chemistry information

• The Silberberg web site has some very useful links; check them out!
• The Why?Files, Science behind the News.
• ChemDex An absolutely awesome index of other Chemistry Web sites.
• The Chemistry section of Yahoo, a General WWW Guide.
• ChemPointers Another list of Chemistry sites.
• The Chemistry Teaching Resources at Umeå University is yet another site that has collections of links
• ... some of these sites have links to chemical companies!
Finally, the Reference Librarians at the UPJ library have a copy of this assignment. They will be glad to help you, but they also know that you have to use your head and the many resources available to locate the necessary information!

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 How to reach Dr. Bell-Loncella:
• Office: 112 B Engineering and Science Building
• Phone: 269-2904
• Email etbell@pitt.edu

Last Updated:  2/26/04