INTRODUCTION TO MOLECULAR MODELING-

This introduction to molecular modeling using the Jmol applet also provides a review of basic structures in organic chemistry studied in middle school. This is an ideal starting point for a science project

EXPLAIN IT WITH MOLECULES

Why does ice float?-- How does soap work? -- Why is diamond so hard?-- Why do carcinogens like nicotine cause cancer? -- Why is a salt crystal cubic in shape? -- This is an interactive activity using the Jmol applet which allows students to interact with molecules.

PERIODIC TABLE

There are numerous periodic table applets available, but this one has some special features ideal for high school chemistry. Simply click on the desired element and data as well as a graphical plot of electron configurations will be displayed. This particular version shows the electronic configuration of the element in the panel on the right. Future versions of this applet will show relative atomic sizes, electronegativities and other periodic trends, as well as extensive atomic data.

VIRTUAL LAB -- WEB VERSION

The Virtual Laboratory allows students to select from hundreds of standard reagents and manipulate them in a manner that resembles that of a real lab. It allows students to design and perform diverse experiments in acid-base chemistry, thermochemistry, solubility, and redox chemistry. This is the web version. See below for the download version. Instructions and tutorials located here.

STOICHIOMETRY

One of the first numerical problems encountered in introductory chemistry is that of "limiting reagents". The applet does not approach or solve the problem as it would be done with paper and pencil, on the blackboard, or in the textbook. Rather, it serves as a supplement to such calculations, providing imagery that helps students see beyond a rote mathematical procedure.

RUTHERFORD EXPERIMENT

This tutorial simulates diffraction of alpha particles (helium nuclei containing two positive charges) by a thin foil made of gold metal.

RUTHERFORD SCATTERING EXPERIMENT

This site contains background material and instruction for use of the Flash Applet. Two pages for analyzing data containing student questions are also provided.

BOHR'S THEORY OF THE HYDROGEN ATOM

This applet illustrates a hydrogen atom according to particle or wave model. You can choose a principal quantum number n. The right part of the graphics will show the energy levels of the atom. At the bottom of the page you can read off the orbital radius r and the total energy E.

ATOMIC ORBITALS

This tutorial examines the first four energy levels of an atom, s, p, d, and f, chosen through the pull-down menu.

ABSORPTION AND EMISSION SPECTRA FOR ELEMENTS

This applet shows the absorption or emission spectra for the elements.

THERMODYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM

This site contains seven experiments and questions related to thermodynamic equilibrium. To view the applets read the instructions and then proceed to the first experiment.

PRESSURE CHAMBER

In this series of experiments, you will control the action of a piston in a pressure chamber which is filled with an ideal gas.

SPECIAL PROCESSES OF AN IDEAL GAS

You can check the following laws with the simulation:

Isobaric process: pressure constant V/T constant
Isochoric process: volume constant p/T constant
Isothermal process: temperature constant pV constant

GAS LAW APPLETS

Several applets e.g., Boyle's Law, Charles's Law, Avogadro's Law, Ideal Gas Law and Dalton's Law. Each applet comes with background Concept information and full experiment. Applets from University of Davidson Chemistry Department.

MAXWELLIAN VELOCITY DISTRIBUTION

This applet shows both the ideal gas law as well as the Maxwellian Velocity Distribution by using particles inside a balloon whose temperature can be adjusted. Digital readouts give the pressure and mean particle speed and the velocity distribution for a given temperature is graphically shown. A parameter tag also changes the state of the balloon to that of a planetary atmosphere where the concept of escape velocity and the tail of the velocity distribution can be shown.

ISOTOPES AND RADIOACTIVITY APPLET

This applet allows you to choose from 16 different radioactive isotopes of elements and watch a sample of atoms change color as they decay. A graph will show the number of atoms of each type (initial element and final element) as they decay in real time.

LENNARD-JONES JAVA APPLET

Introduces large-scale thermodynamic concepts through the study of microscopic particle interactions. This is the Java applet prototype of Simple Molecular Dynamics (SMD. Java application from education group in Boston University’s Center for Polymer Studies. For classroom applications contact the Boston University Science and Mathematics Education Center

VIRTUAL CHEMISTRY LAB SIMULATION (Download required)

Here's your chance to mix chemicals without wearing safety goggles. You won't spill any acid on the spectrometer in this lab. Choose solutions from the vast database and mix 'em together till the cloned cows come home. Marvel as the chemical solutions react in real time.

GAS LAB PROGRAM FROM NASA

This is a series of computer animations which demonstrate all the possible combinations of the ideal gas law or equation of state. This site contains several other free applets from NASA. Complete student activities are available for this applet.

THE MOLECULAR LOGIC PROJECT

The goal of the Molecular Logic project is to improve the ability of all students to understand fundamental biological phenomena in terms of the interactions of atoms and molecules. The Molecular Logic project aims to do this by enhancing biology courses with guided explorations of powerful atomic and molecular computational models. These models are embedded in an easily implemented database linked to both typical textbooks and standards.

CHEMVIZ

ChemViz (Chemistry Visualization) is an interactive chemistry program which incorporates computational chemistry simulations and visualizations for use in the chemistry classroom. The chemistry simulations support the chemistry principles teachers are trying to convey, and the visualizations allow students to see how matter interacts at an atomic level.

CHEM SENSE

ChemSense is an NSF-funded project to study students' understanding of chemistry and develop software and curriculum to help students investigate chemical systems and express their ideas in animated chemical notation.