Volume 5D Number 2
In This Issue
A Window on the Solid State: Part I: Structures of Metals; Part II: Unit Cells of Metals; Part III: Structures of Ionic Solids; Part IV: Unit Cells of Ionic Solids
	William R. Robinson and Joan F. Tejchma
Solid State Structures
	Ludwig A. Mayer
Using these JCE Software Programs in the Classroom
Jon L. Holmes and Nancy S. Gettys University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
Note:	This issue is out of print.
An understanding of the extended structures of solids is as fundamental to understanding the behavior of matter as is an understanding of the structures of molecules. The bulk of the substances that we interact with every day are solids with extended structures. The presentation of the structural features of solids with extended structures challenges even an experienced instructor. There is no simple way to introduce these concepts. Models are clumsy, and two-dimensional drawings take time to produce and do not always get the job done. One technique that has proved effective involves use of lap-dissolve slides with a mix of photographs of extended models, photographs of unit cell models, and graphics (1). However, such slides are not generally available. A Window on the Solid State provides similar information but in a format that is easy to use. Solid State Structures provides an excellent companion to the ICE Solid-State Model Kit. It can be used quite effectively in lecture presentations because models take no time to build and are easily manipulated. The computer structures are also useful when groups of students are building solid-state models with the kit, because they can be used to verify the correctness of constructed models. In addition, the computerized version has features that are not available in the kit. Models can be viewed as ball-and-stick as well as space filling, so that atoms within a structure become visible. Sticks can also be used to good advantage to connect nearest neighbors and show coordination numbers and geometries. Hardware and Software Requirements   Computer  CPU RAM Drives Graphics Free Disk Space System Software Other   Solid State Structures Windows compatible  80386 or higher with math coprocessor 8 MB  Hard disk, 3.5-in. high-density floppy drive 640 x480, 256 colors 2 MB  Windows 3.11 with Win32s or Windows 95  PCMolecule2 or PCMolecule2 Lite   A Window on the Solid State Windows compatible  80386 or higher or Pentium 8 MB  Hard disk, 3.5-in. high-density floppy drive 640 x480, 256 colors  14 MB  Windows 3.1x or Windows 95 --  Literature Cited Bodner, G. M.; Greenbowe, T.; Robinson, W. R. J. Chem. Ed. 1980, 75, 555.

First Published: September 1997

Citation: Holmes, J.L.; Gettys, N.S. . Using these JCE Software Programs in the Classroom J. Chem. Educ. Software 5D2

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Jon L. Holmes

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Last Updated: March 19, 2001 Created: November 18, 1997	Created by: J.L. Holmes Comments to: jceonline@chem.wisc.edu
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