JCE Software, 10B1: Periodic Table Games

Periodic Table Games

John S. Martin
Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G2, Canada

Note:
Series B (MS DOS) software previously included on the General Chemistry Collection CD-ROM is now available for free download by Journal of Chemical Education subscribers.
Go to the download page.

The Periodic Table Games are intended to expose students to the vocabulary of chemistry: formulas, combination rules, and descriptive chemistry. They may be played by an individual against the computer, or by several competing players.

Screen from Nomenclature Game.

Each is a "guess-the-formula" game. They differ only in that in the Nomenclature Game the name of the compound is given; in the Formula Game it is not. The player initially sees a pattern of question marks representing the elements and numbers in the unknown formula. The object is to determine what they are, using one's knowledge of oxidation numbers, common radicals and ions, periodic properties, and the conventions of inorganic formulas.

Screen from Formula Game.

Feedback is given after incorrect guesses. For an element the responses become increasingly specific and involve its properties. The games are entirely about chemistry. There are no distractions such as rockets to be shot down or aliens to be massacred.
The games are played using an abbreviated 72-element periodic table. Elements must be selected from the table on the screen, providing psychomotor stimulus to embed a mental map of the periodic table.
Several options are available to players. There are tutorials and onscreen context-sensitive help. Players may choose from up to seven lists of formulas, at the option of the instructor. Three conventions for naming the groups in the periodic table are available: US, European, and IUPAC-ACS. The chosen convention is used in all descriptions of the elements. A scoreboard shows histograms of all games played as well as the top scorers and their scores for each list. There is an interactive periodic table, where selection of an element calls up a brief description of its chemistry. The properties described are those used in the feedback.
The names and formulas come from a "list": a database of 320 entries. A password-protected instructor utility allows editing of all of the formulas and/or names in up to seven lists. The instructor may also reset the scoreboard and statistical display, set the default list and periodic table name convention, and enable the formula lists to be used.
Hardware and Software Requirements
Periodic Table Games requires an IBM PC-compatible computer with an 80286 or higher processor, 640 KB RAM, and VGA or better graphics, and a Microsoft-compatible mouse. MS-DOS or IBM PC-DOS version 5.0 or higher is required. Periodic Table Games runs under Windows 3.1 and Windows 95.

First Published: April 1997
Citation: Martin, J. S. . Periodic Table Games J. Chem. Educ. Software 10B1
Keywords: Lecture Aid; Computer Room; High School; General; Periodic table; Periodic trends; Inorganic nomenclature

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JCE Online | Journal | Software | Internet | Happenings | About JCE | Contact JCE

Last Updated: April 26, 2001
Created: February 11, 1997 Created by: S. B. Mathews
Comments to: jceonline@chem.wisc.edu

© 1997 Division of Chemical Education, Inc., American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.



Periodic Table Games
John S. Martin Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G2, Canada

Note:	Series B (MS DOS) software previously included on the General Chemistry Collection CD-ROM is now available for free download by Journal of Chemical Education subscribers. Go to the download page.

The Periodic Table Games are intended to expose students to the vocabulary of chemistry: formulas, combination rules, and descriptive chemistry. They may be played by an individual against the computer, or by several competing players. Screen from Nomenclature Game. Each is a "guess-the-formula" game. They differ only in that in the Nomenclature Game the name of the compound is given; in the Formula Game it is not. The player initially sees a pattern of question marks representing the elements and numbers in the unknown formula. The object is to determine what they are, using one's knowledge of oxidation numbers, common radicals and ions, periodic properties, and the conventions of inorganic formulas. Screen from Formula Game. Feedback is given after incorrect guesses. For an element the responses become increasingly specific and involve its properties. The games are entirely about chemistry. There are no distractions such as rockets to be shot down or aliens to be massacred. The games are played using an abbreviated 72-element periodic table. Elements must be selected from the table on the screen, providing psychomotor stimulus to embed a mental map of the periodic table. Several options are available to players. There are tutorials and onscreen context-sensitive help. Players may choose from up to seven lists of formulas, at the option of the instructor. Three conventions for naming the groups in the periodic table are available: US, European, and IUPAC-ACS. The chosen convention is used in all descriptions of the elements. A scoreboard shows histograms of all games played as well as the top scorers and their scores for each list. There is an interactive periodic table, where selection of an element calls up a brief description of its chemistry. The properties described are those used in the feedback. The names and formulas come from a "list": a database of 320 entries. A password-protected instructor utility allows editing of all of the formulas and/or names in up to seven lists. The instructor may also reset the scoreboard and statistical display, set the default list and periodic table name convention, and enable the formula lists to be used. Hardware and Software Requirements Periodic Table Games requires an IBM PC-compatible computer with an 80286 or higher processor, 640 KB RAM, and VGA or better graphics, and a Microsoft-compatible mouse. MS-DOS or IBM PC-DOS version 5.0 or higher is required. Periodic Table Games runs under Windows 3.1 and Windows 95.


News \| Issues \| CD-ROM / Video \| Find It! \| Technical Support \| For Authors
JCE Online \| Journal \| Software \| Internet \| Happenings \| About JCE \| Contact JCE

Last Updated: April 26, 2001 Created: February 11, 1997	Created by: S. B. Mathews Comments to: jceonline@chem.wisc.edu

© 1997 Division of Chemical Education, Inc., American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.