Title

Is It a Meteorite? Applying Problem-Solving Strategy to Mass Spectra and Atomic Mass

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2018

Published In

National Center for case study teaching in science

Abstract

In this interrupted case study, two friends find unanalyzed mass spectra of a green rock suspected to be a meteorite. Students are tasked with identifying the elements present in the meteorite by analyzing the mass spectra. The purpose of this case is two-fold: first, to calculate the average atomic mass of elements, and second to practice problem-solving strategy. Since many students are intimidated by complex equations the calculation of the atomic mass is carried out without presenting the equation of weighted atomic mass. Students are guided to extract information from graphs and to calculate the atomic mass based on their own interpretation of the data. During the case, students are instructed to spell out the problem, the strategy to solve it, the steps required to solve the problem, and to explain why the answer does or does not make sense. The case was originally written for a principles of chemistry class and was delivered early in the semester after the introduction to atomic structure and isotopes.

Keywords

atomic mass, weighted average, problem solving strategy, isotopes, meteorite, mass spectroscopy

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