Volume 3C Number 1

Volume 3C Number 1

In This Issue

MolVib: Visualizing Molecular Vibrations
 
Daniel Huber
About This Issue

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

Note:
This issue is no longer available. MolVib has been updated. Please see issue 7C, 1 for information about MolVib 2.0.

MolVib is a versatile, useful tool for anyone who wants to get across the idea that molecules vibrate and that their overall vibrations can be understood in terms of a limited set of simpler motions. We have seen it used in presentations to college general chemistry students and even high school students to illustrate specific vibrations of the water molecule and the effect on those vibrations of substituting deuterium for hydrogen, and it provided an excellent, understandable, graphic indication of the relative motions of the atoms within the molecule. Since new molecules can easily be added to MolVib's repertoire, it ought to be able to satisfy almost everyone's needs in the area of illustrating how molecules vibrate. It's main limitation appears to be that an observer has difficulty keeping track of the motions of more than about half a dozen atoms, which means that it is mainly useful for small molecules.
In addition to MolVib, this issue includes a note that contains part of the index to the Journal of Chemical Education as a text file; this continues the practice of including such files that was begun in our first Macintosh issue.
Hardware and Software Requirements
MolVib requires a Macintosh Plus, SE, Classic, SE/30, or any Mac II model. The program has been tested using versions 6.02 and 6.03 of the Macintosh system software and ought to be compatible with any version 6.x system. For those who wish to use the software for class presentations a large monitor or overhead projection panel for the Macintosh will be needed. Several such panels and monitors are available (1).
Literature Cited

Susskind, T. Y. J. Chem. Educ.: Soft. 1988 1A(1), 16-24.
First Published: February 1991
Citation: Moore, J. W.; Holmes, J. L. About This Issue J. Chem. Educ. Software 3C1
Keywords:

Editorial Commentary
Things Computers Do Well
 
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 3C Number 1

In This Issue

MolVib: Visualizing Molecular Vibrations
	Daniel Huber

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

Note:	This issue is no longer available. MolVib has been updated. Please see issue 7C, 1 for information about MolVib 2.0.

MolVib is a versatile, useful tool for anyone who wants to get across the idea that molecules vibrate and that their overall vibrations can be understood in terms of a limited set of simpler motions. We have seen it used in presentations to college general chemistry students and even high school students to illustrate specific vibrations of the water molecule and the effect on those vibrations of substituting deuterium for hydrogen, and it provided an excellent, understandable, graphic indication of the relative motions of the atoms within the molecule. Since new molecules can easily be added to MolVib's repertoire, it ought to be able to satisfy almost everyone's needs in the area of illustrating how molecules vibrate. It's main limitation appears to be that an observer has difficulty keeping track of the motions of more than about half a dozen atoms, which means that it is mainly useful for small molecules. In addition to MolVib, this issue includes a note that contains part of the index to the Journal of Chemical Education as a text file; this continues the practice of including such files that was begun in our first Macintosh issue. Hardware and Software Requirements MolVib requires a Macintosh Plus, SE, Classic, SE/30, or any Mac II model. The program has been tested using versions 6.02 and 6.03 of the Macintosh system software and ought to be compatible with any version 6.x system. For those who wish to use the software for class presentations a large monitor or overhead projection panel for the Macintosh will be needed. Several such panels and monitors are available (1). Literature Cited Susskind, T. Y. J. Chem. Educ.: Soft. 1988 1A(1), 16-24.


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.