The Sound of Chemistry: Translating Infrared Wavenumbers into Musical Notes

• Neil Garrido ^[3] ; Anaïs Pitto-Barry ^[1] ; Joan J. Soldevila-Barreda ^[1] ; Alexandru Lupan ^[2] ; Louise Comerford Boyes ^[1] ; William H. C. Martin ^[1] ; Nicolas P. E. Barry ^[1]
  1. [1] University of Bradford

     University of Bradford

     Reino Unido

     
  2. [2] Babeș-Bolyai University

     Babeș-Bolyai University

     Rumanía

     
  3. [3] Ilkley Grammar School, United Kingdom

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• Localización: Journal of chemical education, ISSN 0021-9584, Vol. 97, Nº 3, 2020, págs. 703-709
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • The abstract nature of physical chemistry and spectroscopy makes the subject difficult to comprehend for many students. However, bridging arts and science has the potential to provide innovative learning methods and to facilitate the understanding of abstract concepts. Herein, we present a high-school project based on the conversion of selected infrared absorbances of well-known molecules into audible frequencies. This process offered students a unique insight into the way molecules and chemical bonds vibrate, as well as an opportunity to develop their creativity by producing musical pieces related to the molecules they synthesized. We believe that experiencing chemistry from an alternative viewpoint opens up new perspectives not only for student learning but also for the decompartmentalization of scientific and artistic disciplines.