This page contains DW’s blog posts related to education in general and physical chemistry in particular.
Direct Product Tables
Deep in the application of group theory to molecular spectroscopy one finds a need to analyze the direct products of irreducible representations in the character table of a molecule.
VSEPR Shapes
Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory proposes that molecules and ions adopt 3D shapes that minimize repulsion between the bonding pairs in Local Bond Theory Lewis Structures.
Lewis Structures
Lewis structures use Local Bond Theory and Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory to produce simple initial guesses at the 3D structure of molecules and ions.
Point Groups
When using symmetry elements to assign point group Schonflies labels to a particular molecule, the symmetry flow chart tool at Otterbein is unparalleled.
Character Tables
When looking for Character Tables online, I found the Jacobsen University to be a great resource.
Physical Chemistry Channel
Most of my online content is posted to my PCHEM at Sam YouTube Channel. Check it out.
Manipulating Arrays and MMULT in Excel
DW teaches the basics of array and matrix multiplication by hand and in Excel.
Charting Pro Tips in Excel
Learn how to efficiently chart massive data sets in Excel without the mouse.
Anchoring Cells in Excel
Entering formulas and anchoring cells are the first and most basic spreadsheet skills to master. Learn them NOW!
How to EXCEL in PCHEM?
DW has created an Excel Boot Camp to teach his students data analysis and data presentation skills. All are welcome!
PCHEM and Forensic Chem Lecture Videos
DW’s students started YouTube Channels for DW’s lectures in 2017. Here they are! Enjoy, subscribe, and comment.
How to Teach Yourself
How do you teach yourself a new skill? How do you learn a tough subject? (like pchem?) I’m glad you asked. Here are my tips and tricks specifically focused on pchem survival (but applicable to life in general). 1. Don’t be afraid! (and that’s an order!) Thousands have been down this road and they were…
Excel Roller Coaster – Yes, my hobby is Excel
If you have FUN programming Excel, on a SATURDAY…You MIGHT be a Redneck I mean, you might be a PCHEMIST. Years ago, I was at home on a Saturday fiddling with a wave function problem in Excel. The plot on the screen was of a couple of cosines, and my 8-year-old son said, “Hey that looks like…
PChem at SHSU, What to Expect
Most of our frustration in life stems from incorrect expectations. So let me line out the year of PChem at SHSU so you will not be frustrated by the unknown. Starting at 30,000 ft elevation, we have the two semesters: Fall is Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy Spring is Thermodynamics Zooming in on the Fall semester,…
Same Behavior, Same Results
DW encourages students to set goals and priorities before the semester starts.
Surface Tension and Density Determination
DW describes the creation of a digitized Du Nuoy Ring Tensiometer.
PChem4all - Dr. Williams' Science Blog 