Reaction to Why Do We Teach Equilibrium Calculations?

摘要

A recently published correspondence by Stephen J.Hawkes on teaching equilibrium calculations troubles me (1).Hawkes dismisses equilibrium calculations as mere algorithms,best deferred until the student "can use computer programs".I find it difficult to believe that a computer program enhances understanding.From a chemist's point of view,the equilibrium condition is a limit,a limit that (because of stochastic considerations) does not exist.It might be better to make the reaction quotient statement using but the use of those relations is delayed until quantum mechanics.