Yellow magic

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The origin and description of this project, the reu l t s of which we hope to publish from time to time, are to be found on page 488 of the September, IYJO, issue of THIS JOURNAL. For information on fhe availability and cost of thefilms the reader is referred to the A. C . S . Bulletin 2, "Films on Chemical Su6jects."

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THE MOLECULAR THEORY OF MATTE3

Description: 16 mm., sound, 10 min. Producer; Encyclopedia Britannica Reviewers: (A) William K. Viertel, N. Y. State Agricultural and Technical Institute (B) klks Barksdale, Alabama Polytechnic Institute (C)R. T. Schenck, New York University Possible Utilitg: (A) "...cannot i d to interest beginning students. It is, however, very elementary, and I could only recommend it for high school, and college freshman chemistry courses for those taking chemistry for the first time." (B) ". . should serve as a valuable sid in teaching general chemistry but it does not replace conventional teaching methods." (A) "It is also suitable, I believe, for physics and combined science courses a t the same (elementary) level." Film Conlent (taken from (A), (B), and (C) ): This film covers the material given on the kinetic-molecular theory in most general chemistry textbooks and closely fallows the presentstion in Sohlesinger's "General Chemistry." It shows, with ordinary movie shots and with animated drawings, how matter is believed to be constituted, and how molecules behave in gaseous, liquid, and solid states. For example, it shows the diffusion of hromine vapor in air and in s vacuum, how evaporation and condensation occur, how s, gas exerts pressure, etc. The small size and great numbers of molecules are emphasized. General Criticism and Rating: ( A ) "the film is a. vivid portrayal of the molecular concept, very well developed.. . ." (B) "The animated drawings are particularly effective and should be of value as aids in teaching. These ahow changes that are difficult to describe effectively with words and still drawings. Thevoice explanations of the film are complete and to thepoint. . . The film is well done." (C) "The machine gun sequence is patently phoney.. . . No other criticisms; total effect quite good." The California Section, A. C. S., reports: "soundpoor.. . Fair to good. Gaod animation. Fundamental and interesting." Rated "good" by McBride High School, St. Louis, Mo.

Description: 16 mm., sound-color, 16 min. Producer: U. S. Bureau of Mines in cooperation with Texas Gulf sulfur Co. Reviewers: (A) W. G. Kessel, Indiana State Teachers College (B) Therald Moeller, University of Illinois Possible Utility: (A) "I think i t could be used a t any level from general science studentsin junior high school through college and adults that want to know about this element." (B) "This presentation is best suited to general chemistry courses either a t the high-school or freshman college level. I t has no especial merit for advanced courses, hut i t would be useful in general survey courses."

Film Content: (A) "This excellent film hegins with a consideration of the general importance of the element sulfur. Discusses to some extent the nature of elemental sulfur deoosits.

rather comprehensive survey given in terms of tons used in the various industries. Also a summary of sulfur in sulfuric acid production and its importance to industry." (B) "The film describes the mining of sulfur by the Frasch process and the handling of the mined sulfur in considerabledetail. Thisisdone by a combination of photography of actual operations and animstions. Given in less detail and partly through animation is a summary of the distribution of sulfur to the various industries!' General Criticism and Rating: (A) "In my opinion it is a very satisfactory film; the information given is up to date and pertinent." (B) "The film is generally accurate and is to be reeommended. The portions on the mining and handling of sulfur are particularly good. Interest is enhanced by the excellence of the color photography. The narration is clear, to the point, and accurate." Rated "excellent" by McBride High School, St. Louis, Mo. Suggestions for improvement: (A) "The only thing I felt that was needed was some recognition of other snliur sources as in copper and zinc smrlring or r w w r r y oi ttyJrogrn .iullicle, or bun~ingpyrirr. This i* beco~ningmore imporrnnt daily." (B) 'I.itrlr, i f nnv, irnwovrmrnt could he ~ f f e c t din tlw film ar a general survey. 0f course, i t does not cover the chemistry of sulfur compounds, but i t makes no claim of doing so. I would recommend it as i t stands."

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YELLOW MAGIC

Description: 16 mm., sound-color, 33 min. Producer: Freeport Sulfur Co. Reviewers; (A) S. Young Tyree, I?., University of North Carolina (B) Frederic B. Dutton, Michigan State College Possible Utility: (A) ". . .I would consider the film suitable for use in almost any type of chemical course that has to do with compounds involving sulfur. Through this. film, an appreciation of how and where we obtain sulfur may be passed on to the student." (B) "A good film about one-half of which is directly useful for chemical education." The reviewers agree that the film is enjoyable; i t would probably therefore be of general interest. Film Content: (B) "Opens in narrative form as retiring employee relates early history of sulfur mining. History and background about 11 minutes. Excellent description of Frasch Process, rock formations. . . Auxiliary installations about 14 minutes. Uses and applications about 8 minutes." (A) "The film opens showing a testimonial dinner to one Tom Clark who is evidently retiring from long, active service with the Freeport Sulfur Company. At the insistence of the toastmaster, Tom makes a speech and as he talks, the camera follows his story of the development of modern sulfur mining technology. A short while is devoted to describing the early discovery of sulfur in Louisiana and Texas, as well as the early troubles of getting at this sulfur. This very easily works into a. scene where Herman Fraseh talks glibly enough to get the capital necessary to make his first drilling operation. The need of this country for sulfur is explained briefly and dependence of the country o n . . .Sicilian sulfur or foreign pyrites is described. . .then the film describes by means of animated omtaons how the sulfur occurs in the ground. These cartoons are very excellent and show the salt formations, the sulfur and snhydrite in the typical dome-shaped caprock

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formations. The cartoons.. .show the trouble encountered in the drilling operation due to the mud and the quicksand that usually cover these formationsin the southern part of the country. The essential details of the concentric pipes are quite complete and illustrated to better effect than I have ever seen. The use of superheated water, the careful control of temperature necessitated by the relatively narrow range that can be used because of the high melting point, and positive temperature coefficient of viscosity of molten sulfur, are all brought out. "About the last half of the film describes the auxiliary equipment and installstions that go with the actual drilling rig itself. Far example, the problems of procuring large supplies of fresh water, softening this water to prevent boiler scale when i t is heated, the tremendous lengths of piping that must be insulated to send this water to the mines, the return lines for liquid sulfur, the pumping stations, the power plants, the machine shops, the aomnressed air. a11 of these items are shown built uo on the swam-

JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION into vats and allowed to solidify. The subsequent mountains of solid sulfur are d p ~ m i t e dloose and loaded with tremendous derricks onto conveyor belts, barges, and trains for transportstion to point of use. "The difficulties involved in prospecting for sulfur are vividly shown when the camera follows a prospecting crew through the marshland. . . . "Finslly, the importance of sulfur to the world is covered by listing roughly in order of importance the uses to which sulfur is put. . . ." General Criticism and Rating: (A) " . . .one laboratory shot shows a man titrating a solution, and the speaker explains that this operation is called "titrating." This small incident, I feel, is thecue that should tell us the level a t which the filmispitched. . Some hint of the level of the film may he obtained by noting that sulfuric acid as a word or formula appears nowhere in the film. For example, the statement is made that sulfur is of great importance t o agriculture as a fertilizer, dustings, and sprays with no suggestion of the chemical compounds involved." (B) "Good use of animated drawings."