Ernie's Page

Ernie's Problems-On-The-Fly

Ernie's contribution to the ISU CheMagic Web site is an approach to learning basic chemistry problem solving skills. This approach to learning basic skills is the only reason Jim and Otis allow Ernie in the CheMagic Club.

Chemistry is a problem solving discipline. The problems that chemists and chemistry students solve can be divided into two broad classes: 1) algorithmic; 2) synthetic. Algorithmic problems are solved by a specific sequence of well defined steps. Synthetic problems are more complex, but they involve algorithmic problems as basic skill components. The link below leads to a series of Web pages designed to help chemistry students master the algorithmic problems of basic chemistry. Each Web page in this series is devoted to one problem type. Chemistry students can practice a particular algorithmic skill by simply reloading any problem Web page.

Go to Problem Menu

Note from Management:
After endless whining from Ernie about his poor win/loss ratio in the mouse pointer Ernie jump contest with Gollum, Jim and Otis have reluctantly agreed to allow Ernie to win every jump contest on this (his) page. Management feels that Ernie is overreacting on this issue, but we are tired of listening to his whining. So, point the mouse at Ernie, make him jump, and watch him endlessly win – boring!