Fundamentals for a Phenomenological Study of Chemistry
By Frits H. Julius
Association of Waldorf Schools in North America, 2000
ISBN 1-888365-22-6
Paperback; 311 pages; $30
Description
This pioneering work in phenomenological chemistry encompasses the rich qualities of chemical substances and processes and opens up deeper dimensions of their lawfulness. Written by Dutch Waldorf teacher Frits Julius, this book was intended for teachers in Waldorf schools. However, it provides a wonderful introduction to a phenomena-centered approach to chemistry for anyone interested in deepening and enlivening their study of chemistry.
Contents
1. Overcoming One-Sidedness in Contemporary Chemistry Teaching
A New Path to Nature
Substances and Life
Fitness of All to All
The Method of the True Alchemists; the Tria Principia and its Meaning for Us
Three Alchemic Principles
Man and Nature Between Light and Gravity
Polarity of Above-Below
The Four Elements
2. Experimentation as an Art
Guidelines for Experimentation
Apparatus
A Demonstration Cabinet with Ventilation
Bottom Lighting
Examples of Experiments
The Light Box
3. Salts, Acids, and Bases
Crystallization of Salts
Phenomena Occurring when Salts Dissolve
Splitting of Salt by Fire; Acid and Alkali
Salt-Formation by Adding an Acid and a Base
Transition to Chemical Equations
Weight Relationships
Oxygen, Oxidation, Burning, and Rusting
The Importance of the Approach Chosen
Reduction
Solution of Metals in Strong Acids
Electrolysis
Rounding off the Main Lesson Block
Acid or Base Substitutions―Double Substitutions (Displacements)
4. Guidelines for Teaching Chemical Formulas
On the Essence of a Chemical Compound and the Principle of Impenetrability
The Foundations of Chemical Formulas
5. Weight Ratios in Chemistry
The Balance and Materialism
The Balance and the Spiritual Ordering of Nature
The Spiritual Background of Materialism
Equivalent Number as a Pure Expression of Weight Ratios
Gas Volume and Weight Ratios
Atomism as a Starting Point for Explaining Natural Phenomena
6. The Process of Dissolving―Phenomena, Concepts, Laws
The Most Important Phenomena
The Concept of Solubility
The Influence of Heat on Solubility
Phenomena of Osmosis
Explanation of Osmosis
The Concept of Concentration
The Concept of Dissociation
7. The Great Matter Cycles
Teaching Chemistry in the 11th Grade
Usefulness of the Element Concept
The Periodic System of Elements in Chemistry Classes
The Human Organism as a Key to a New System
The Twelve Substances as a Representation of the Realms of Nature
Indications for Teaching
Oxygen
Oxygen, Matter Awakened by the Sun
Oxygen as Atmospheric Gas
Oxygen as a messenger from the Sun
Oxygen and the Crust of the Earth
Oxygen and the Hydrosphere
Oxygen and the Tria Principia of the Alchemists
Further Effects of Oxygen in Chemistry
Fire as an Image of the Sun
Hydrogen
Hydrogen in the Atmosphere
Hydrogen as a Gas
Hydrogen and Heat
Hydrogen―the Decomposition of Living Substances
Hydrogen and Water
Carbon
Diamond and Graphite
How Carbon Withdraws Itself from Life
Phenomena with Combustion of Carbon
On Carbon Dioxide
The Importance of Carbon Dioxide and Carbon for the Life-Process in the Plant
Carbon Between Sun and Earth
More on Diamond and Graphite
Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen
Kinship and Opposition between Carbon and Hydrogen
Compounds of Carbon and Hydrogen
Sugar as a Balanced Substance―Harmonizing through Oxygen
Something more about the Task of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen
Sodium and Sulfur
The Natural Cycle of Sodium
Properties of Sodium Compounds in Relation to its Place in Nature and in our Body
The Natural History of Sulfur
Sulfur in Protein
A Comparison of Sodium and Sulfur Processes
Examples for Discussing Sodium
An Example for a Discussion of Sulfur
Potassium
A Comparison with Sodium
A Comparison with Carbon
Silicon and Silica
The Occurrence of Silica in the Earth’s Crust
The Properties of Quartz in Relation to the Different Realms of Nature
Silica in Living Organisms
Silicic Acid and Water
Silicic Acid and Warmth
Silica as Oxide
Silica and Fluorine
Silica Technology
Silica and the Sun
Lime (Chalk, Limestone)
Formation and Erosion of Limestone Mountains
The Cycle of Limestone in Water
Animal Existence as a Battle with Lime
The Diversity of Form in Calcareous Coats, Shells, and Skeletons
Lime in the Human Being
The Chemistry of Calcium
Lime as an Alkaline Substance
Calcium as Element
Calcined Lime and Slaking of Lime
Calcium Hydroxide and Carbon Dioxide
A Few Illustrative Experiments
Something about the Uses of Calcareous Substances
Lime and Light—Contrast to Silicon
Lime as opposed to Hydrogen
Phosphorus and Magnesium
On the Availability and Circulation of Phosphorus in Nature
Phosphorus as Element—Fire and Light Phenomena
Images in the Night Sky During Experiments with Phosphorus
Properties of Magnesium as Element—Phenomena and Experiments
The Occurrence of Magnesium Compounds in Earth and in Living Organisms—Contrast to Lime
Phosphorus as Creator of an Equilibrium between Heaven and Earth and Herald of the Conscious Spirit
The Magnesium Flame with Regard to Photosynthesis
Phosphorus as Representative of the Stars on Earth; Results of a Comparison with Magnesium
Magnesium Chemistry
Phosphorus in Mythology and Industry
Nitrogen
Nitrogen as a Component of the Atmosphere—The Atmosphere as Environment for Living Beings
Nitrogen in the Soil
Nitrogen in Protein and the Atmosphere
Nitrogen in Nature Between Oxygen and Hydrogen
Nitrogen Chemistry
Aluminum
Aluminum as Element
Chemical Properties of Aluminum
Aluminum in the Crust of the Earth: Clay
Alchemy and the Mythological Views of Pottery and Porcelain Manufacture
Nitrogen and Aluminum
Polarity and Harmony in Various Realms
Something from the History of the Production of Nitrogen Compounds, and the Extraction of Aluminum by Comparison
8. The Structure of the Element Circle as an Image of the Order of Nature
The Circle of Elements and the Stage of Life
Balanced Opposites in the Circle of Elements
Acid and Base in the Circle of Elements
Surprising Number of Relations; Air and Protein
Metamorphosis in the Circle of Elements
Relation to the Annual Movement of the Sun; Seasonal Changes and the Human Organism
9. The Halogens
Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, Iodine—a Characterization
Chlorine
Fluorine
Iodine
Bromine
Structural Relationships in the Halogen Group
10. The Most Important Heavy Metals
Introduction—a Comparison with the Substances of the Element Circle
Characterization of the Metallic State—Crystal and Metal
Rusting as Expression of the Nature of Metals
Metals and Planets
Tradition and Modern Research
The Usage of Metals in Three Spheres
Technical Usage
Medical Purposes
A New Realm—Metal Chemistry
Discussion of Lead and Silver
Lead and Silver in the Metallic State
Lead and Silver Chemistry
Lead Chemistry
Lead and Silver as Representatives of Certain World-Principles
The Importance of Lead and Silver for Civilization
Gold
Gold in the Metallic State
Comparison of Silver and Gold
Gold Chemistry
The Principle Represented by Gold
The First Use of Iron and Copper as Tool-Metal
Iron as a Metal—The True Relation Between the Human Organism and Technology
Copper and Iron
Iron in the Human Body and in Nature
Iron
The Principles Represented by Copper and Iron
Mercury and Tin as Metals
Tin
The Chemistry of Mercury
Mercury and Tin
Quartz and Gold—the Summit in the Realm of Matter
11. Completing the Whole—Curriculum for Grade 12
Chemistry and the Human Organism
Chemistry as an Intermediary between an Organic and Inorganic Science
Matter and Life
Matter and Consciousness
Chemistry on Four Levels
Victory over Materialism—The Task of Teaching Chemistry in Grade 12