This work describes the use of a single chemical reaction to teach and connect a number of standard general chemistry course topics while also introducing students to polymer concepts. Through the study of the reaction that converts spiropyran into merocyanine, we are able to present and connect molecular orbital theory, quantum mechanics, equilibrium, hydrogen bonding, mechanical work, and polymer chemistry. By framing a number of different concepts with the same reaction, our goal is to allow students to see connections in seemingly disparate sections of general chemistry. At the same time, repeated study of this organic reaction provides a pathway for students to gain confidence and comfort with carbon-based molecular structures before stepping into an organic chemistry course. Experimental results indicate that there is no significant difference in student performance on problems linked to unit learning objectives when a group of students who complete the spiropyran-based exercises is compared to a control group who completed exercises involving smaller molecules. We describe here the materials used in both a team-based learning classroom and a concurrent laboratory module.

中文翻译：

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单反应线联系化学入门课程中的多个核心概念

这项工作描述了使用单个化学反应来教授和连接许多标准的常规化学课程主题，同时还向学生介绍了聚合物的概念。通过研究将螺吡喃转化为花菁的反应，我们能够提出并联系分子轨道理论，量子力学，平衡，氢键，机械功和聚合物化学。通过以相同的反应构筑许多不同的概念，我们的目标是使学生看到普通化学中看似完全不同的部分之间的联系。同时，对这种有机反应的反复研究为学生提供了一条途径，使学生在进入有机化学课程之前就对基于碳的分子结构有信心并感到自在。实验结果表明，将一组完成基于螺吡喃的练习的学生与对照组进行的涉及较小分子的练习的学生进行比较时，在与单位学习目标相关的问题上，学生的表现没有显着差异。我们在这里描述基于团队的学习教室和并发实验室模块中使用的材料。