Volume 4B Number 2

Volume 4B Number 2

In This Issue

Mass Spec Simulator
 
D. Bruce Armitage
NO₂/N₂O₄ Equilibrium Experiment
 
Teresa Anderson Curtin
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Darryl Wahlstrom
Huron High School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
James A. McCormick
University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, WI 53706
About This Issue

John W. Moore and Jon L. Holmes
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706-1396

Note:
This issue is out of print.

Computer simulations of analytical instruments provide an effective means of training students to use the instrument. The availability of these instruments to the beginning student is generally limited or nonexistent due to their cost and complexity. A simulation of the instrument used as a pre-laboratory exercise familiarizes students with the instrument and allows them to make better use of the precious little time they have in lab. As a post-laboratory exercise students can expand upon their laboratory experience in using the instrument. The simulation can also serve as a substitute for using the instrument when such an instrument is unavailable. Mass Spec Simulator provides these benefits for the mass spectrometer, an instrument that few undergraduate chemistry students experience first-hand.
The computer has made significant inroads into the chemistry laboratory as a tool for the collection of data, analysis of the collected data, and reporting of the experimental results. NO2/N2O4 Equilibrium Experiment is a computer-mediated experiment that exposes students to the use of the computer in the chemistry laboratory. Directions are given for building a simple instrument and interfacing it with the computer; the computer can then prompt the student in the experimental procedure, collect and store data, analyze the data, and print the results of the analysis in the form of a graph.
This issue also includes a note that contains part of the index to the Journal of Chemical Education as a text file; this file can be imported by many database applications, including dBASE.
Hardware and Software Requirements
Mass Spec Simulator and NO₂/N₂O₄ Equilibrium Experiment require a MS-DOS/IBM compatible computer with at least 512K RAM and one disk drive. Each supports (but neither requires) an Epson or IBM compatible graphics printer. Mass Spec Simulator requires EGA, VGA, or compatible graphics and a Microsoft compatible mouse (CGA, MCGA, or Hercules will not work). NO₂/N₂O₄ Equilibrium Experiment requires CGA or compatible graphics and supports (but does not require) a Microsoft compatible mouse; a Blocktronic (1, 2) or Blocktronic II (3) colorimeter must be attached to the computer through a modified cable (directions included) and a game-port card (not included).
Literature Cited

Adams, T., et al. "Instructions for Building the Blocktronic I" (version 2.1); LM002; Project SERAPHIM: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Chemistry, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706.
Miles, P.; Brickhouse, N. and Moore, J. W. "Adapter Box for the IBM PC"; LM022; Project SERAPHIM: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Chemistry, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706.
Divis, L.; Krause, D. "Blocktronic II Colorimeter"; J. Chem. Educ: Software 1988 IA (1), 3952.
First Published: October 1991
Citation: Moore, J. W.; Holmes, J. L. About This Issue J. Chem. Educ. Software 4B2
Keywords:

Editorial Commentary
The CATALYST Curriculum Project
 
John W. Moore

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Last Updated: March 19, 2001
Created: December 10, 1996 Created by: J.L. Holmes
Comments to: jceonline@chem.wisc.edu

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



Volume 4B Number 2

In This Issue

Mass Spec Simulator
	D. Bruce Armitage
NO₂/N₂O₄ Equilibrium Experiment
	Teresa Anderson Curtin University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Darryl Wahlstrom Huron High School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 James A. McCormick University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, WI 53706

About This Issue
John W. Moore and Jon L. Holmes University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706-1396

Note:	This issue is out of print.

Computer simulations of analytical instruments provide an effective means of training students to use the instrument. The availability of these instruments to the beginning student is generally limited or nonexistent due to their cost and complexity. A simulation of the instrument used as a pre-laboratory exercise familiarizes students with the instrument and allows them to make better use of the precious little time they have in lab. As a post-laboratory exercise students can expand upon their laboratory experience in using the instrument. The simulation can also serve as a substitute for using the instrument when such an instrument is unavailable. Mass Spec Simulator provides these benefits for the mass spectrometer, an instrument that few undergraduate chemistry students experience first-hand. The computer has made significant inroads into the chemistry laboratory as a tool for the collection of data, analysis of the collected data, and reporting of the experimental results. NO2/N2O4 Equilibrium Experiment is a computer-mediated experiment that exposes students to the use of the computer in the chemistry laboratory. Directions are given for building a simple instrument and interfacing it with the computer; the computer can then prompt the student in the experimental procedure, collect and store data, analyze the data, and print the results of the analysis in the form of a graph. This issue also includes a note that contains part of the index to the Journal of Chemical Education as a text file; this file can be imported by many database applications, including dBASE. Hardware and Software Requirements Mass Spec Simulator and NO₂/N₂O₄ Equilibrium Experiment require a MS-DOS/IBM compatible computer with at least 512K RAM and one disk drive. Each supports (but neither requires) an Epson or IBM compatible graphics printer. Mass Spec Simulator requires EGA, VGA, or compatible graphics and a Microsoft compatible mouse (CGA, MCGA, or Hercules will not work). NO₂/N₂O₄ Equilibrium Experiment requires CGA or compatible graphics and supports (but does not require) a Microsoft compatible mouse; a Blocktronic (1, 2) or Blocktronic II (3) colorimeter must be attached to the computer through a modified cable (directions included) and a game-port card (not included). Literature Cited Adams, T., et al. "Instructions for Building the Blocktronic I" (version 2.1); LM002; Project SERAPHIM: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Chemistry, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706. Miles, P.; Brickhouse, N. and Moore, J. W. "Adapter Box for the IBM PC"; LM022; Project SERAPHIM: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Chemistry, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706. Divis, L.; Krause, D. "Blocktronic II Colorimeter"; J. Chem. Educ: Software 1988 IA (1), 3952.


News \| Issues \| CD-ROM / Video \| Find It! \| Technical Support \| For Authors
JCE Online \| Journal \| Software \| Internet \| Happenings \| About JCE \| Contact JCE
Last Updated: March 19, 2001 Created: December 10, 1996	Created by: J.L. Holmes Comments to: jceonline@chem.wisc.edu

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