Episode 5: The Alliances

WARNING NOTICE

The experiments described in these materials are potentially hazardous. Among other things, the experiments should include the following safety measures: a high level of safety training, special facilities and equipment, the use of proper personal protective equipment, and supervision by appropriate individuals. You bear the sole responsibility, liability, and risk for the implementation of such safety procedures and measures. MIT and Dow shall have no responsibility, liability, or risk for the content or implementation of any of the material presented. Legal Notice

 

Flash and JavaScript are required for this feature.

Download the video from iTunes U or the Internet Archive.

Previous track Next track

 

The staff announces the crystal growing competition, the students set up their experiments, and alliances start to form. Also, Phil has a really weird dream involving the Kardashians.

You can also view this video on TechTV.

» Download this transcript - PDF (English - US)

PHIL: One person is going to win, and they can choose to bring along somebody of their choice.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

NARRATOR: Last time in 5.301, the students just practiced re-crystallization. Now it's time for the real thing.

PROFESSOR: You're actually going to take your crystals, and you're going to re-crystallize them, to produce one big crystal. And there's a prize. Whoever gets this first is going to lunch with me at Legal Sea Foods, and you can bring one of your friends, and you can invite the TAs.

NARRATOR: The goal is to grow a single, perfect, crystal. But first, the students have to actually make the compound they're going to grow their crystals from, this chromium complex.

This is their first real reaction in the lab.

ANTHONY: It's a different color and that's usually pretty good in chemistry.

NARRATOR: After they filter, wash, and dry their product, the students begin testing solvents, and some start teaming up.

PHIL: I actually saw an alliance forming over here.

YI-SHIUAN: I saw some of them split up trying different solvents. We actually worked on find the solvents together.

JULIE: We decided to use dichloromethane and hexane for our solvents.

ANTHONY: We're going to use hexanes and methanol. Shh. We're going to win.

NARRATOR: Hansol seems pretty driven.

HANSOL: I like competition. I want to win, obviously.

NARRATOR: If you win, who will you invite to lunch?

HANSOL: I would probably pick Dan. I made a deal with him earlier.

NARRATOR: So, Hansol's been working with Dan. What about you, Emily?

EMILY: Yeah, I worked with Dan to figure out what solvent system would work well.

NARRATOR: Uh, OK. Let's recap.

HANSOL: Dan.

EMILY: Dan.

HANSOL: Dan.

EMILY: Dan

HANSOL: Dan.

EMILY: Dan.

NARRATOR: Dan, what do you have to say for yourself?

DAN: It was a loosely formed alliance, we didn't sign any papers.

NARRATOR: Ike meanwhile has a different idea.

IKE: I'm broke. If I get the ticket I'm going to sell it for money. Because I know, these suckers want it really bad.

PHIL: We have some people whose samples look pretty good. They seem to be wanting to try a lot of different solvent systems, a lot of different temperatures. They're asking a lot of questions. They want to make sure that everything is perfect. Because I think everyone wants to get the biggest crystal. They're very determined. They're going for all or nothing. They don't want a bunch of small crystals.

LINA: Next week, we're going to win the biggest crystal competition. Because the winners get to take the TAs and Professor Dolhun out to lunch.

JULIE: Legal Sea Foods, for free.

NARRATOR: So that's it. Everything's set and everyone's excited about the prize. But, who will win? Find out next time on 5.301.

JULIE: Yeah, we're done.

PHIL: I'm having this re-occurring dream. It's like I'm jogging through a park with a fitness boot camp. And I stop to talk to Kris Jenner. And I always say, no, no, no, Kris, I can't talk to you right now. And she pours Kool-Aid on me. And I wake up drenched in Kool-Aid. That's a dream. If it was Bruce Jenner pouring Kool-Aid on me, that would be a nightmare.

[MUSIC PLAYING]