The examples for this homework assignment are derived from some real, practical examples found within the domain of General Chemistry. While I cannot expect students to be well-versed in this domain, it is a given that a college education provide at least the basis fundamental knowledge of the composition of all matter from molecules and atoms. This section of this homework explains WHY we asked the questions on this assignment.
The complexity of the Universe can at times be simply staggering. As of 2006, scientists have identified 117 chemical elements that appear to form all matter as we know it. (Note that element 118 has been discovered before 117; aren't those chemists crazy!)
The field of chemistry can be divided into:
Anyone interested in learning about chemistry will invariable have to learn how to use the available computational tools to advance their learning. For this assignment, we will learn "just enough" to work with some of the introductory concepts that one would find in a high-school or college-level course. The point, once again, is not to teach chemistry, but to reinforce the philosophy that Computer Science provides techniques that are important and relevant to all scientific disciplines.