JCE Software, 7C2: A Window on the Solid State

A Window on the Solid State

William R. Robinson
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1393
Christopher P. Saari
Project SERAPHIM, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706-1396

Note:
This program is included in the General Chemistry Collection (SP-16).

To Order General Chemistry Collection

A Window on the Solid State for Macintosh is a translation of a Windows program previously published by JCE: Software (1). Part I: Structures of Metals introduces the four basic structural types found in metals: hexagonal closest-packed, cubic closest-packed, body-centered cubic, and simple cubic structures. These are introduced as stacks of close-packed planes of atoms in the hexagonal and cubic closest-packed structures, and stacks of less efficiently packed planes in the other two structures. In addition, Part I also introduces Laves's principle, coordination number, stacking of planes, efficiency of packing, and how to draw the structures using two-dimensional representations.

Illustration showing the number of atoms occupying a body-centered cubic unit cell from A Window on the Solid State.
Part II: Unit Cells of Metals discusses how to use a unit cell to describe a two-dimensional structure, then extends the concept to metals using the four basic unit cells of the metals. The relationships between radii of the metal atoms in the cubic structures and the cell dimensions are developed. Students are also introduced to counting the number of atoms in a unit cell. Pseudo-animation is particularly effective in illustrating the fractions of atoms that lie in the various unit cells.

Comparison of layers in hexagonal close-packed and cubic close-packed structures from A Window on the Solid State.
Two versions of each part are provided. One is a student tutorial that allows a student to work through the material at her/his own pace. This version requires students to identify or predict structural features and includes pop-up boxes that confirm or correct choices. Hot words are used to link ideas and provide definitions. The other version is designed to be used in lecture demonstration; it contains all graphics and summary statements from the tutorial program, but is less interactive.
Both versions are intended as supplements to an introductory presentation, either at the general chemistry level or at the first introduction of the structures of metals at the undergraduate level. These programs emphasize the qualitative and geometric aspects of the structures presented. Although no numerical calculations are requested in these programs, students will be well prepared to tackle quantitative exercises by the information presented.
Hardware and Software Requirements
Software in Series C of JCE: Software requires an Apple Macintosh computer with 2 MB RAM, a hard drive, and a SuperDrive floppy disk drive. System software version 6.0.7 or later is required. If you are running System 7 or MultiFinder, at least 4 MB of RAM is required. A Window on the Solid State has additional requirements as noted below:

Mac II or better
2 MB RAM in excess of system requirements
13 in. or larger color monitor;
System 7
Acknowledgement
A Window on the Solid State was written while the author was on sabbatical leave as a 1992-93 SERAPHIM Fellow with Project SERAPHIM at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The support of Purdue University and the National Science Foundation through grant # MDR-9154099 is greatly appreciated.
Literature Cited

Robinson, W. R., "A Window on the Solid State", J. Chem. Educ.: Software, 1994, 2 D, (1).

First Published: December 1995
Citation: Robinson, W. R.; Saari, C. P. . A Window on the Solid State J. Chem. Educ. Software 7C2
Keywords: Lecture Aid; Computer Room; High School; General; Inorganic; Solid state; Structures of metals

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Last Updated: July 19, 2001
Created: December 3, 1996 Created by: J. L. Holmes
Comments to: jceonline@chem.wisc.edu

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



A Window on the Solid State
William R. Robinson Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1393 Christopher P. Saari Project SERAPHIM, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706-1396

Note:	This program is included in the General Chemistry Collection (SP-16). To Order General Chemistry Collection

A Window on the Solid State for Macintosh is a translation of a Windows program previously published by JCE: Software (1). Part I: Structures of Metals introduces the four basic structural types found in metals: hexagonal closest-packed, cubic closest-packed, body-centered cubic, and simple cubic structures. These are introduced as stacks of close-packed planes of atoms in the hexagonal and cubic closest-packed structures, and stacks of less efficiently packed planes in the other two structures. In addition, Part I also introduces Laves's principle, coordination number, stacking of planes, efficiency of packing, and how to draw the structures using two-dimensional representations. `Illustration showing the number of atoms occupying a body-centered cubic unit cell from A Window on the Solid State.` Part II: Unit Cells of Metals discusses how to use a unit cell to describe a two-dimensional structure, then extends the concept to metals using the four basic unit cells of the metals. The relationships between radii of the metal atoms in the cubic structures and the cell dimensions are developed. Students are also introduced to counting the number of atoms in a unit cell. Pseudo-animation is particularly effective in illustrating the fractions of atoms that lie in the various unit cells. `Comparison of layers in hexagonal close-packed and cubic close-packed structures from A Window on the Solid State.` Two versions of each part are provided. One is a student tutorial that allows a student to work through the material at her/his own pace. This version requires students to identify or predict structural features and includes pop-up boxes that confirm or correct choices. Hot words are used to link ideas and provide definitions. The other version is designed to be used in lecture demonstration; it contains all graphics and summary statements from the tutorial program, but is less interactive. Both versions are intended as supplements to an introductory presentation, either at the general chemistry level or at the first introduction of the structures of metals at the undergraduate level. These programs emphasize the qualitative and geometric aspects of the structures presented. Although no numerical calculations are requested in these programs, students will be well prepared to tackle quantitative exercises by the information presented. Hardware and Software Requirements Software in Series C of JCE: Software requires an Apple Macintosh computer with 2 MB RAM, a hard drive, and a SuperDrive floppy disk drive. System software version 6.0.7 or later is required. If you are running System 7 or MultiFinder, at least 4 MB of RAM is required. A Window on the Solid State has additional requirements as noted below: Mac II or better 2 MB RAM in excess of system requirements 13 in. or larger color monitor; System 7 Acknowledgement A Window on the Solid State was written while the author was on sabbatical leave as a 1992-93 SERAPHIM Fellow with Project SERAPHIM at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The support of Purdue University and the National Science Foundation through grant # MDR-9154099 is greatly appreciated. Literature Cited Robinson, W. R., "A Window on the Solid State", J. Chem. Educ.: Software, 1994, 2 D, (1).


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

Last Updated: July 19, 2001 Created: December 3, 1996	Created by: J. L. Holmes Comments to: jceonline@chem.wisc.edu

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