A Simple Open-Ended Vapor Diffusion Experiment

Authors

  • David Whitmire Tennessee Technological University
  • Wayne Blaylock Tennessee Technological University

Abstract

Part of the "Problems for Teachers" series.
A simple, low-cost, mass-transfer experiment was developed the experiment requires very little equipment and allows students to determine relatively accurate experimental estimates of vapor diffusion coefficients. Of particular importance is the open-ended nature of the experiment, which allows students to creatively expand their data analyses and, in turn, to receive credit for their creative efforts. Details of the experiment and student work are presented and pedagogical impact is discussed.

Author Biographies

David Whitmire, Tennessee Technological University

David Whitmire is Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at Tennessee Tech University. He received his BS from Clemson University in 1971, his MS from Virginia Tech University in 1978, and his PhD from Auburn University in 1988, all in chemical engineering. Research interests include biochemistry of alcohol metabolism and human learning.

Wayne Blaylock, Tennessee Technological University

Wayne Blaylock received his BS in Chemical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University in 2003. He is currently employed by BWXT Y-12 as a design engineer at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, TN.

Downloads

Published

2004-04-01

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 2 (2004): Spring 2004

Section

Class and Home Problems