Web-mediated access and control of laboratory equipment can improve utilization of expensive and specialized instruments, facilitate collaborative data sharing and analysis, and provide essential practical experience in physical science courses delivered at a distance. This paper describes a remotely controlled experiment for determining the rates of fast chemical reactions. Students use the experiment's Web interface to collect data, to obtain interactive technical support and background information, and to display and analyze results. Each experiment is designed to encourage sharing of data and collaboration with users at other institutions, providing students with a valuable first look at work in a distributed laboratory environment. Introduction Chemistry is an experimental subject.
Chemists construct knowledge by systematically examining quantitative data for patterns.
Patterns suggest hypotheses, which in turn form the basis for theories. Theories are then critically evaluated in the light of new experimental data. This is the only sanctioned approach for progress in science. Pedagogy that is not founded on the interplay between theory and experiment poorly serves students by not involving them in the essential process of science. The experimental nature of chemistry presents severe challenges for teaching the subject at a distance.