Simulations and Interactive Resources
John S. Martin University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G2
Note:	Simulations and Interactive Resources has been updated. Please see issue 9B, 2 for information about this update. 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.
Graph of concentration vs time from SIR Rate. These Simulations and Interactive Resources (SIRs) are designed to support interactive lectures in introductory chemistry. They provide quick access to computer-generated visual material, ranging from simple illustrations and animations to complete simulations of experiments. SIRs are completely under the instructor's control and use a simple mouse-driven interface. Screens have been designed to be readable by large numbers of students when projected in a classroom. The twelve SIRs in this issue, listed as they appear in the menu and classified by subject, are: Periodic Table and Atomic Structure SIR Periodic: Periodic Table Displays SIR Orbit: Electron Orbits and Orbitals SIR Atomic: Electron Configurations Phase Equilibrium and Gas Laws SIR Torr: Barometers and Manometers SIR Ebullient: Vapor Pressures SIR Ideal: Ideal Gas Behavior Heat Capacity and Thermochemistry SIR Caloric: Heat Capacity, Heat of Reaction Reactions and Chemical Equilibrium SIR Dynamic: Approach to Equilibrium SIR Q: The Law of Chemical Equilibrium Acid-Base Equilibrium SIR Titrate: Titration Curves Redox and Electrochemistry SIR Polarity: Electrochemical Cells Chemical Kinetics SIR Rate: Rate of Reaction The unique aspect of these SIRs is that they are designed to support spontaneous, interactive lectures. Once the computer and a projection system are set up, all the SIRs are directly accessible via an intuitive interface that allows the instructor to think about chemistry, not the computer. You can use this material heads-up, facing the class, not crouched over the keyboard. Numbers hardly ever have to be entered from the keyboard; one simply clicks on any number that appears in white on the screen. The left mouse button increases a number and the right button decreases it. All active options are present on the screen; there are no pulldown menus to search. Onscreen help is always available and is sufficiently comprehensive that one may learn the operation of an SIR from it. Help can be used while preparing for a lecture, to discover what the SIR can do. SIRs do not impose any particular pedagogy, nor need they interrupt the flow of the lecture. The graphic material goes on the screen whenever the user decides it is needed, and may be interrupted when it has served its purpose. Most of the simulated experiments are equipped with graphing tools. Here are some examples from SIR Rate, which simulates zero, first, and second order reaction kinetics. The "rate" utility allows one to click anywhere on the plot of a reaction run. The tangent method for finding slope is graphically illustrated, and the time, concentration, and instantaneous rate at that point are shown. One may plot concentration, its logarithm or its inverse against time. The computer provides a straight line that may be moved. If you click on the edge of the graph, the nearer end of the line jumps to the mouse pointer; the cursor keys may then be used to fine-position the line. Once the line is drawn and recorded, a click on the line shows the coordinates of that point. Similar facilities are available whenever experimental data are graphed. These SIRs are part of a continuing project. More are planned, covering most of the topics of introductory chemistry. SIRs are closely related to interactive computer lessons, designed for individual instruction, being written by the author. Optimum use of the SIRs would eventually be to key them to the lessons. Hardware and Software Requirements Programs in Series B of JCE: Software are designed for IBM PS/2, PC, or PC-compatible microcomputers with 640K of RAM and one disk drive. SIRs will occupy nearly 900 K of hard-disk space or can be run from a single 1.2 MB or 1.44 MB floppy disk drive. VGA or compatible graphics (CGA and EGA graphics will not work) and monitor and a Microsoft compatible mouse are required. PC-or MS-DOS 3.1 or later is also required. Effective use of SIRs requires a classroom projection device such as an overhead projector panel or a three-gun projector. Acknowledgement This project was begun while the author was on sabbatical leave as a 1992-93 CATALYST Fellow at the University of Texas at Austin. Some of the work was supported by a grant from the University of Calgary.

First Published: October 1994

Citation: Martin, J. S. . Simulations and Interactive Resources J. Chem. Educ. Software 7B2

Keywords: Lecture Aid; Instructor; High School; General

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