A Theme-Based Course: Hydrogen as the Fuel of the Future

A theme-based course focusing on the potential role of hydrogen as a future fuel is described. Numerous topics included in typical introductory courses can be directly related to the issue of hydrogen energy. Beginning topics include Avogadro's number, the mole, atomic mass, gas laws, and the role of electrons in chemical transformations. Reaction stoichiometry and exchange of electrons in a reaction are reinforced through discussions of using electrolysis or active metals to generate hydrogen. Molecular structure, molecular orbitals, and semiconductors are involved in using solar energy to generate electricity that can liberate hydrogen from water. Thermodynamics is applied in considering both gravimetric (energy per unit mass) and volumetric (energy per unit volume) energy density. Data are presented indicating that student performance is enhanced when introductory concepts are conveyed via this theme-based approach.