PROBLEM SOLVING

Most of the literature on problem solving views a "problem" as a gap

between some initial information (the initial state) and the desired
information (the desired state). Problem solving is the activity of closing
the gap between these two states. Of course, not all problems have a
solution. Problems are often classified as (1) "open ended" vs. (2) "closed
ended." The former means that the problem is not well posed and/or could
have multiple solutions. The latter means that the problem is well posed
and has a unique solution. At the end of each section in this book you will
find open ended discussion questions and thought problems, but all of the
examples and the bulk of the problems in this book are closed ended--short,
simple, and packaged with precisely the information needed, unlike those
that occur in real life.
If you are going to become a professional, you will have to acquire a
number of skills in problem solving such as:

• formulating specific questions from vaguely specified problems;

• selecting effective problem-solving strategies;
• deciding when an estimate will suffice vs. an exact answer;
• using tables, graphs, spreadsheets, calculators, and computers to
organize, solve, and interpret the results from solving problems;
• judging the validity of the work of others; and
• estimating orders of magnitude to evaluate answers.

To assist you in developing these and other skills in problem solving,

below we briefly discuss some ways to solve both open and closed ended
problems, and provide references from which you can gain further insight.

Howe's Law: Every person has a scheme which will not work.
The 90/90 Law: The first 10% of the task takes 90% of the time. The
remaining 90% takes the remaining 10%.

One of the main objectives of this book is to enhance your problem-

solving skills. If you can form good habits of problem solving early in your
career, you will save considerable time and avoid many frustrations in all
aspects of your work, in and out of school. Being able to solve material and
energy balances means that in addition to learning basic principles,
formulas, laws, and so on, you must be able to apply them effectively.
Routine substitution of data into an appropriate equation will by no means
be adequate to solve any material and energy balances other than the most
trivial ones.
In working through this book, develop confidence in your capabilities
in problem solving, become aware of your thought processes, get organized,
manage your time effectively, and be flexible in seeking alternative solution
strategies. Engineers believe that clearheaded, logical thinking is the way
to solve real life problems. Experience demonstrates that such thought
processes are not natural, and, in fact, considerable practice must occur
before an individual attains the necessary skills. Even for simple problems,
the sequence of ideas is usually so tangled up that the interconnections
cannot be easily discerned. None of the strategies described here is perfect
for you nor necessarily effective for all problems. You have to devise or
imitate strategies of solving problems that you feel comfortable with and
have demonstrated validity. At the end of this chapter you will find a list of
references that offer numerous choices of problem solving strategies. We
will mention just a few here.

Polya† recommends the use of four steps for solving problems and
puzzles: define, plan, carry out the plan, and look back. The key features
of this strategy are the interaction among the steps and the interplay
between critical and creative thinking. Fogler and LeBlanc* discuss a five
step program: (1) problem definition (problem identification and
exploration), (2) generate alternatives, (3) decide on a course of action, (4)
carry through, and (5) evaluate the outcome(s). The McMaster five step
strategy developed by Woods†† entails a similar set of steps: (1) define, (2)
explore, (3) plan, (4) act, and (5) reflect.

The Kepner-Tregve (KT)**pproach to problem solving is also an

organized method, the detailed discussion of which can be found in several
of the references at the end of this chapter. The KT strategy involves three
phases: (1) analysis of the problem, (2) decision procedure, and (3)
potential future pitfalls associated with the problem solution. The first two
are of interest here.

In the analysis phase, ask questions about the problem such as who,
what, where, when, why, and how. For each question also ask what is the
situation, what is not the situation, what is the difference between the two
situations, and what are possible causes of the difference. For example, for
the question "what," ask What is the problem, what is not the problem, what
is the distinction between the "is" and "is not," and what cause(s) might
arise as these questions are considered. For the question "where," ask what
part of the process is affected, what is not affected, what is the distinction,
and how do these questions lead to possible causes.

†G. Polya, How to Solve It, 2nd ed., Doubleday, New York, 1957.
*H. S. Fogler and S. E. LeBlanc, Strategies for Creative Problem Solving, Prentice-
Hall, Englewood, N.J., 1994.

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††Woods, D. R., Problem-Based Learning: How to Gain the Most from PBL, D. R.
Woods, McMaster Univ., Hamilton, Ont., 1994.
** Kepner. H. and B. B. Tregoe, The New Rational Manager, Princeton Research
ress, Princeton, N.J., 1981.

The goal of the decision phase is to select the best solution from the
proposed alternatives, and possibly list the priority of alternatives. You can
form a matrix (list the goal(s) at the top) in which the heads of the columns
designate possible actions to ameliorate the problem or possible choices to
meet the stated goal in solving the problem. The rows of the matrix
represent, first, the hard constraints, those factors that must be satisfied.
Next would be listed the group of soft constraints, those that would be nice
(but not essential) to satisfy. In each column for each option list the relative
rating score (say on a range of 1 to 10) attributed to the degree of
satisfaction of a constraint. Addition of the scores in each column helps in
reaching a decision. Since many of the weights will be subjective, the final
decision is not necessarily based solely on the total of the scores.

As an illustration of the KT approach, examine the following question:

What is the maximum number of different rectangles can you build from 12
square tiles using all of the tiles in each rectangle? The options would be
various numbers of rectangles: 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. rectangles. The hard
constraints would be to (a) use all 12 tiles, (b) make only rectangles, and (c)
obtain the maximum number of rectangles. Figure 1 demonstrates a
possible matrix to use in solving the problem, and Figure 2 illustrates one
way to carry out the analysis (via graphs). You will find considerable merit
in going back and forth between visual, verbal, and symbolic representation
of a problem.

Completely novel problems, of course, usually appear to be complex.

3
Figure 3 outlines how your strategy for solving problems is influenced by
the information you develop.

Figure   2   Problem analysis via graphics.

For novel, and particularly for open ended problems, we can for
convenience classify the steps in problem solving into five phases (that do
not necessarily have to be carried out serially):

1. Understand the problem and the goals

2. Formulate the options for solution
3. Consider the constraints
4. Execute the selected problem solving strategy
5. Evaluate the procedure and results.

In Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 we have listed for each of the five phases, a set
of suggested questions and/or activities to review while engaged in problem
solving along with short list of verbs to help stimulate your thought
processes.

Start with understanding the problem.

It isn't that they can't see the solution. It is that they

4
 can't see the problem. G. K. Chesterton, The Scandal of
Father Brown.

First, you must identify what results you are to achieve, that is, what the
problem is. Then you must define the system, perhaps with the aid of a
diagram. Various physical constraints will apply as well as the time

available for you to work on the solution. In almost all cases you will have
to look up data and make use of general laws. Finally, the results will have
to be presented properly so that you can communicate them to someone
else. You can work backward as well as forward in solving problems if the
forward sequence of steps to take is not initially clear, and cycle back at
will. Problems that are long and involved should be divided into parts and

5
attacked systematically piece by piece.

From the viewpoint of understanding the problem, consider the open

ended problem of designing a foolproof way to prevent locking your keys
in your car. If you think about this statement, you could, for example,
examine options to prevent you from shutting the door with the keys still in
the car. However, the problem could be revised to be: If I lock the car with
the keys in it, how can I

6
defeat the locking scheme and get into the car? This alternate viewpoint
might lead to keeping a duplicate key in your wallet, and so on. By going
down the concepts in Fig. 4 and letting your imagination fly free, you can
get a sound grasp of what the problem is.

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8
 "To have a good idea, you must have a lot of ideas"--Linas
Pauling.

All of us would agree that looking at things from more than one
perspective is valuable, outside as well as inside, the profession of
engineering. Alex Osborn popularized brainstorming and spread creativity
training from his advertising agency to business and engineering.

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Creativity is the process that produces new and valued responses to
problems and at the same time facilitates learning, change, and innovation.
Creativity means more than evolving bright ideas. It is more a way of
thinking that sheds new light on old problems. It involves developing an
ability to think in other than straight lines.

By way of illustrating the development of options, let us return to the

problem of avoiding locking your keys in the car. Some options might be

(1) Have an alarm signal if any door opens with the key in the
ignition
                  lock,
(2) Require that a car door be positively locked only from the outside
with the ignition key,
(3) Eliminate keys and use a key pad instead of a key,

and so on. Application of a little imagination will lead to many more

options.

Once you have understood the problem, formulated some options, and
ascertained the constraints, you need to select the problem solving
procedure and execute it. If the sequence of steps in the procedure is not
obvious, take time to set up a plan. If one plan fails, try another.

After reaching a solution to a problem (or failing to reach a solution)

you should evaluate what you did. Look at the questions in Figure 8, and
determine if your problem solving skills and judgment were satisfactory.
Improvement is always possible if you carefully consider what worked and
what did not.

What is the difference in the approach to problem solving between an

expert and a novice? An expert proceeds in problem solving by abbreviated
steps; many are done only mentally. A beginner should go through each
step explicitly until he or she becomes experienced. For guidance, perhaps
you should turn to Sherlock Holmes (as cited in Arthur Conan Doyle's "The
Naval Treaty"):

"Do you see any clue?"

"You have furnished me with seven, but of course I must test them
before I can pronounce upon their value."

"You must suspect someone?"

"I suspect myself."

"What?"

"Of coming to conclusions too rapidly."

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Table 1 lists activities that an expert may use in problem solving. Table 2
contrasts the problem solving habits of an expert with those of a novice.
Table 3 is a checklist for self-assessment of your problem solving traits.
How many of the items in the table pertain to your problem-solving
techniques? Practice visual thinking, stress management, and awareness of
the process whereby you solve problems. Table 4 is a list of reasons why
you may not have been successful in problem solving.

As formulated by Woods,* developing your awareness of your

problem-solving skills is an important factor in improving them because

1. You can identify where you are when solving a problem.

2. You can develop a methodical approach.
3. You can, whenever you are stuck, identify the obstacle.
4. You can describe to others what you have done and any
difficulties that you are encountering.
5. You become aware of what skills need improvement.
6. You increase your level of confidence.
7. You develop traits of carefulness.

TABLE 1 Techniques Used by Experts to Overcome Barriers to Problem

Solving

Read the problem over several times but at different times. Be sure to understand
all facets of it. Emphasize the different features each time.

Restate the problem in your own words. List assumptions.

Draw a comprehensive diagram of the process and enter all known information on
the diagram. Enter symbols for unknown variables and parameters.

Formally write down what you are going to solve for: "I want to calculate . . ."

Choose a basis.

Relate the problem to similar problems you have encountered before, but note any
differences.

Plan a strategy for solution; write it down if necessary. Consider different

strategies

Write down all the equations and rules that might apply to the problem.

Formally write down everything you know about the problem and what you believe
is needed to execute a solution.

Talk to yourself as you proceed to solve the problem.

Ask yourself questions as you go along concerning the data, procedures, equations
involved, etc.

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Talk to other people about the problem.
______________________
D. R. Woods, Unit 1, Developing Awareness, the McMaster Problem Solving
Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont., Canada, 1985.

Break off problem solving for a few minutes and carry out some other activity.

Break up the solution of the problem into more manageable parts, and start at a
familiar stage. Write down the objective for each subproblem (i.e., convert mole
fraction to mass fraction, find the pressure in tank 2, etc.).

Repeat the calculations but in a different order.

Work both forward and backward in the solution scheme.

Consider if the results you obtained are reasonable. Check both units and order of
magnitude of the calculations. Are the boundary conditions satisfied?

Use alternative paths to verify your solution.

Maintain a positive attitude--you know the problem can be solved--just how is the
question.

If you can assimilate the procedures discussed above and make them a
part of yourself--so that you do not have to think about the process of
problem solving step by step--you will find that you will be able to
materially improve your speed, performance, and accuracy in problem
solving.

TABLE 2 A Comparison of the Problem-Solving Habits of a Novice and an

Expert

A novice: An expert:

Starts solving a problem before fully Reviews the entire plan outlined in
Fig.
understanding what is wanted 2.3, mentally explores alternative
and/or what a good route for strategies, and clearly
understands
solution will be what result is to be obtained
Focuses only on a known problem set Concentrates on similarities to and
that he or she has seen before and differences from known
problems;
tries to match the problem with one uses generic principles rather
than
in the set problem matching

Chooses one procedure without Examines several procedures

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serially or
exploring alternatives in parallel

Emphasizes speed of solution, Emphasizes care and accuracy in the

unaware of blunders solution

Does not follow an organized plan of Goes through the problem-solving

attack; jumps about, and mixes process step by step, checking,
problem-solving strategies reevaluating, and recycling from
dead ends to another valid path

Is unaware of missing data, concepts, Knows what principles might be

involved
laws and where to get missing data

Exhibits bad judgment, makes Carefully evaluates the necessary

unsound assumptions assumptions

Gives up solving the problem because Knows what the difficulty is and is
he or she does not know enough willing to learn more that will
provide the information needed

Gives up solving the problem because Aware that a dead end may exist for
a
he or she does not have skills to strategy and has planned
alternative
branch away from a dead-end strategies if a dead end is
reached
strategy

Unable to make approximations Makes appropriate approximations

or makes bad ones

Cannot conceive of disagreeing Disagrees with other experts

Slavishly follows instructions; Breaks rules and makes

proceeds "by the book" exceptions

Does not know what to make Able to deal with qualitative

of qualitative data data

Ignores possible limits Recognizes limits

Fritters times way Good management of time

TABLE 3 A Checklist of Personal Traits to Avoid in Problem Solving

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 1. When I fail to solve a problem, I do not examine how I went wrong.

2. When confronted with a complex problem, I do not develop a strategy of

finding out exactly what the problem is.

3. When my first efforts to solve a problem fail, I become uneasy about my

ability to solve the problem (or I panic!)

4. I am unable to think of effective alternatives to solve a problem.

5. When I become confused about a problem, I do not try to formalize vague

ideas or feelings into concrete terms.

6. When confronted with a problem, I tend to do the first thing I can think of to
solve it.

7. Often I do not stop and take time to deal with a problem, but just muddle
ahead.

8. I do not try to predict the overall result of carrying out a particular course of
action.

9. When I try to think of possible techniques of solving a problem, I do not

come up with very many alternatives.

10. When faced with a novel problem, I do not have the confidence that I can
resolve it.

11. When I work on a problem, I feel that I am grasping or wandering, and not
getting a good lead on what to do.

12. I make snap judgments (and regret them later).

13. I do not think of ways to combine different ideas or rules into a whole.

14. Sometimes I get so charged up emotionally that I am unable to deal with my

problem.

15. I jump into a problem so fast, I solve the wrong problem.

16. I depend entirely on the worked-out sample problems to serve as models for
other problems.

17. I do not plan my time.

18. I am afraid of loosing face.

19. I fail to start on the easy (to me) problems first.

20. I ignore words I do not know.

21. I am easily distracted by the environment in which I work.

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 22. The stress of problem solving causes blocks and filters out good ideas.

23. Cultural blocks and lack of background information lead me down the
wrong path

SOURCE: Based on the ideas in a questionnaire in P. P. Heppner, P.S.I.,

Department of Psychology, University of Missouri--Columbia, 1982 plus The
University of Texas Learning Aid.

TABLE 4 Diagnosis of Reasons for Failing to Solve Problems

("Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes." Oscar Wilde)

Failure to work on a problem in a systematic rather than a scatterbrained way (start

too soon; skip essential steps)

Failure to read/understand the problem thoroughly

Failure to draw a diagram and enter all data thereon and the symbols for the
unknowns

Failure to ascertain the unknown

Fixing on the first, a poor, or an incorrect strategy of solution without considering

alternative strategies

Selection of the wrong principle or equation to use

(total moles instead of total mass, ideal gas instead of real gas) and solution of
the wrong problem

Working with false information

Picking the wrong entry from a data base, chart, or table

(wrong sign, wrong units, decimal misplaced, etc.)

Entering incorrect inputs/parameters into calculations

(transpose numbers, wrong units, etc.)

Failure to include units in each step of the calculations

Sloppy execution of calculations introduce errors

(add instead of subtract, invert coefficients, etc.)

Difficulty in distinguishing new features in a problem that superficially looks

familiar

Incorrect algebraic manipulations

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Use of unsatisfactory computer code for the problem
(too much error, premature termination)

Unable to locate needed data, coefficients by not reading the problem thoroughly or
looking in the wrong data base

Unable to estimate what the answer should be to use in comparison with the
calculated answer

Knowledge (your data base) is inadequate

(you have forgotten, or never learned, some essential laws, equations, values of
coefficients, conversion factors, etc.)

Only forward reasoning rather than both forward and backward reasoning is
employed

Emotional stress
(fear of making a mistake, looking foolish or stupid)

Lack of motivation

Inability to relax

Looking Back
In this section we briefly described several problem solving strategies
for novel and open ended problems.
Key Ideas

1. Many problem solving strategies have been proposed--you have to find

one that meshes with your background and viewpoint.
2. All effective problem solving strategies involve the phases of
determining what the real problem is, generating alternative solutions,
developing a precedence order for the solution, executing the solution,
and evaluating the outcome.

Self-Assessment Test

1. Prepare an information flow diagram showing the sequence (serial and

parallel) of steps to be used in effective problem solving.
2. Take an example from one of the Chapters, and program the thought process
needed to solve the example problem. Show how the following classes of
information are connected (put the solution as the last stage of the tree at the
bottom):

(a) Information stated in the problem

(b) Information implied or inferred from the problem statement
(c) Information from your memory (internal data bank!)
(d) Information from an external data bank (reference source)
(e) Information determined by reasoning or calculations

16
 Label each class with a different-type box (circle, square, diamond, etc.) and
let arrows connect the boxes to show the sequence of information flow for
your procedure.
3. What should you do if you experience the following difficulties in solving
problems?
(a) No interest in the material and no clear reason to remember
(b) Cannot understand after reading the material
(c) Read to learn "later"
(d) Rapidly forget what you have read
(e) Form of study is inappropriate
4. Apply the K-T method to solve the following problem.

A man has a raft and three cantaloupes. Each cantaloupe weighs a

pound. However, the raft can hold only 202 pounds, and the man
weighs 200 pounds himself. How does the man get to the other
side of the river with the cantaloupes? (His weight includes his
clothes and the cantaloupes can't be thrown across the river.)

Supplementary References

BARAT, R. B. and N. ELLIOT, The Compleat Chemical Engineer: A Guide to Critical

Thinking, Kendall/Hunt Publ., Dubuque, Iowa, 1993.
BOYCE, A. J., "Teaching Engineering as the Science of Solving Word Problems," in
Proceed. 1991 ASEE Conf., p. 1267, ASEE, 1991.
EIDE, A. R., et al., eds., Engineering Fundamentals and Problem Solving, 2nd ed.,
McGraw-Hill, New York, 1986.
FOGLER, H. S. and S. E. LeBLANC, Strategies for Creative Problem
Solving,Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, N. J., 1995.
FRENSCH, P. A. and J. FUNKE, Complex Problem Solving, Lawrence Erlbaum Publ.,
Hillsdale, N.J., 1995.
LARSON, L. C., Problem-Solving through Problems, Springer-Verlag, N.Y., 1993.
LUMSDAINE, E. and M. LUMSDAINE, Creative Problem Solving: An Introductory
Course for Engineering Students, McGraw-Hill, N.Y., 1990.
RICKARDS, T., Creativity and Problem Solving at Work, Gower, Aldershot, U.K.,
1990.
RUBINSTEIN, M. F. and I. R. FIRSTENBERG, Patterns of Problem Solving, 2nd ed.,
Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1994.
SAVRANSKY, S. D., Engineering of Creativity, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2001
SCARL, D., How to Solve Problems, 4th ed., Desoris, Glen Cove, N.Y., 1994.
SCHNECK, D. J. ,”Integrated Learning: Paradigm for a Unified Approach”, J.
Engr. Educ.,91
WOODS, D. R., Problem-Based Learning: How to Gain the Most from PBL., Donald
R. Woods, Publisher, Waterdown, Ontario, Canada, 1994.

Web Site
http://www.engin.umich.edu/%7Ecre/probsolv/index.htm

Problems

17
2.1. I have always checked the condition of my battery by checking the specific
gravity with a hydrometer. I recently purchased an Exide battery. The
specific gravity of the battery stays about 1.225 whether the battery is fully
charged or completely discharged. How is this possible?

2.2. Which is the greater amount, 1 dozen eggs, 6 watermelons, or 3 bars of

gold?

2.3. What do Catherine the Great, Attila the Hun, and Eric the Red have in
common?

2.4. Two problems that are posed alike can really be quite different, for
example:
1. It takes 1 man 5 days to dig a ditch. How long does it take 5 men to dig
the ditch?
2. It takes 1 ship 5 days to cross an ocean. How long does it take 5 ships to
cross the ocean?
These two problems are constructed exactly alike: Just substitute ship for
man and cross the ocean for dig a ditch. Why then do the answers differ?

2.5. You have 64 meters of fence. What shape of dog pen should you construct
for your dog?

2.6. Two photometers are used to measure the time it takes for a ball to roll
across the tables. See Figure P 2.6.
If the timers are inaccurate and the meter stick used to measure the height
of the table is inaccurate, how will the prediction of the location on the
floor where ball hits be changed from that made with accurate instruments
and ruler?

18
 Figure 2.6

2.7. One day in Chicago when the air temperature was in the high 90s, a truck
containing morpholine was in an accident and sprang a leak. The fire chief
of the Chicago suburb involved appeared on the 10:00 o'clock news and
explained that the air temperature that day was almost 100°F, and that
100°F is the flash point of morpholine. He then went on to explain that
when the flash point of morpholine is reached, the morpholoine will
explode. He further said that it was very irresponsible for materials with
such low flash points to be shipped on a hot day.
Is the chief correct?

2.8. The Russian Vase

Bursting through the double doors of the hotel kitchen, Kim Matthews
leveled her gun at Philip Jacobs. Whipping away from the industrial
stovetop to face Kim, Philip's apparent panic faded into a sinister smile.

"You'd like to arrest me, wouldn't you?" Philip looked around at his
surroundings and then back at Kim. "But, whatever for?"

"For . . ." Kim began, but was interrupted by Detective Barry Stone,
coming through doors behind Kim, "If he doesn't have the vase, you can't
arrest him."

"That's right," Jacobs said, sauntering past Kim and out of the kitchen.

"I just don't get it, Barry," Kim said, "I saw him steal the crystal vase
out of the Russian ambassador's exhibit in the lobby, and then I chased him
in here. The vase wasn't that large, but it couldn't have been hidden that
easily, that fast," Kim said, motioning to the kitchen which was cluttered
with the typical pots and utensils used in the hotel food industry. A
butcher's block covered with fresh vegetables spanned the length of the
right wall, blending into the stove top range with its large double doored
oven, seared grills top, and a large bucket of cooking oil at the foot of the
oven doors. Numerous deep sinks and counters used for washing dishes
covered the left side of the kitchen, and in the middle stood the typical
island cluttered with various knifes and other utensils.

"Who is this Jacobs, anyway?" Kim asked Detective Stone.

"Strangely enough, he's some optics professor from a local university

who just cracked one day. Anyhow, I'll have my men search his place from
top to bottom, in the mean time why don't you keep an eye on Jacobs."

"Actually, Barry, I think you'll have to do that. I'll go and arrest

Jacobs, this time for real."

"Why did Kim Matthews decide to arrest Jacobs?

2.9. The Laboratory Fire

Kim Matthews waded through the sea of firefighters and policemen to

reach Detective Barry Stone who was standing in cleared alcove next to the
main counter in what remained of a chemistry laboratory.

"Kim, I'm glad you could come," Detective Stone said gesturing to the
condition of the laboratory. "Obviously there has been very high
temperature fire that melted steel and crumbled the concrete. >From what

19
 the fireman can tell me, it seems to have been caused by a gas leak in the
gas line to the hood. The gas line looks as though it got run into by a cart
too many times, and due to the age of the line, it most likely just cracked
easily. Anything could've caused the spark. During the fire, orange smoke
billowed out of the lab, and it was impossible to put the fire out by way of
the sprinkler system.

"Whose lab is this?" Kim asked.

"It used to belong to a Professor Bob Koker, and from the reaction of
some passing students, he wasn't too popular. Here he comes now."

"All my work, gone," Koker began. "I can't believe my life's work has
been destroyed by an insignificant gas leak," Koker exclaimed. "Now I will
have to spend more of my time teaching those sniveling students!" Turning
on his heel, Professor Koker took off towards the door of the lab.

"In how own world, I guess. Poor guy," Stone said while reaching for
his notepad on the counter. "Ugh!, what is this?" Stone exclaimed noting
the white powdery dust that was picked up on his notebook from the white
dust covering the lab bench.

Turning, Kim scanned the floor by the bench which she now observed
was covered with the white powder.

With a sinister gleam in her eye, Kim said, "This explosion wasn't an
accident Stone, of that I'm sure. Let me have the dust analyzed" (The dusk
proved to be a mixture of aluminum oxide and ammonium nitrate).

Later that week Matthews told Barry to start interrogating Koker's

students. What made Matthews so sure that the explosion was not an
accident?

2.10. Why does popcorn pop? Review the possibilities and carry out
experimental observations to test hypotheses.

2.11. How can leaks from a gas pipeline be detected in practice?

2.12. One effect of potential global warming is the acceleration of the

decomposition of organic material

Answers to the Self assessment Test

20
Answers to the Problems

21
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