Bulk Properties from Microscopic Structures

The bulk properties of a material depend heavily on the microscopic structure of that material. From how electrons are transferred between atoms, to how the atoms in the bulk hold onto each other, all the properties of a material (melting point, boiling point, conductivity, tensile strength, etc.) can be determined by understanding these microscopic relationships. Students will take measurements of certain bulk properties (e.g. conductivity) in order to support explanations of how microscopic structures support bulk properties.