摘要：A laboratory activity to explore hypothesis generation and experimental design through comparison of laundry-style detergents is described. During the course of two laboratory periods, students stain fabric and then clean it with increasing concentrations of a commercially available detergent. Before and after images of the fabric are then analysed with a spot-density analysis computer program and worked up with spreadsheet software to quantify the cleaning ability of the detergent. After using the results to draw initial conclusions, the students then design an experiment to test a second hypothesis about the cleaning process. The laboratory activity is suitable for first-year science students, as well as non-major/general education students.
关键词：First-Year Undergraduate / General Chemistry; Laboratory Experiment; Problem Solving/Decision Making; Applications of Chemistry; Hydrogen Bonding; Intermolecular Forces; Scientific Method
