JCE Software, SP1: Periodic Table Videodisc

The Periodic Table Videodisc: First Edition

Alton J. Banks
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8204

Note:
This videodisc is out of print. See The Periodic Table Videodisc: Second Edition for information about the second edition, or Periodic Table Live! for video and more on CD-ROM.

"The Periodic Table Videodisc" is a visual database of information about the chemical elements. On a single-sided, 12-in., 30-min, CAV-type videodisc are included: pictures of each element; motion sequences that show reactions (if any) of each element with air, water, acids, and bases; and still pictures that show common and not-so-common uses and applications of each element. The disk shows a picture of almost every element in its stable form at room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure. Each element is labeled with its name and symbol, and in most cases there is a close-up to show details as well as a longer shot that gives perspective on the size of the sample. Frames in which the element is shown without a label are also included, making it possible to ask students to identify an element based on its visible characteristics.
Sequences of up to half a minute or so show elements reacting with: air, water, aqueous acids (6M and 12M HCl; 6M and 15M HNO₃), and aqueous base (6M NaOH). Such sequences are shown for nearly every case in which a reaction is known to occur. Each begins with a label that identifies the element being reacted, and each type of reaction (with water, with acids, etc.) can be identified because the experimental setup is always the same. This facilitates comparisons among reactions of different elements with the same reagent, and such comparisons can be made easily, within seconds, as a consequence of the videodisc player's ability to find the beginning of any sequence nearly instantaneously. When a reaction is slow enough that more than about 30 s would be required to follow it to completion, the disc contains the beginning and end as well as an indication of how long the reaction actually took. To provide a feeling for reaction rates, slower reactions are afforded more time than faster ones but not in direct proportion to the actual time required.
Uses and applications of the elements comprise the third major type of information on the disc. Hundreds of manufacturers and industrial sources that would be associated with one or more elements were contacted with the request that they supply slides and other visual materials regarding applications of the element, and most of them were extremely cooperative. In addition, specific items that contain certain elements were obtained independently and photographed so that up to a dozen applications of each element are included on the disc. For each application there is text frame that indicates what the application is and in which form (pure element, oxide, etc.) the element is used. This is followed by a picture of one or more items in which the element is found.

Close-up of strontium burning. Click figure to view video (380 KB).
"The Periodic Table Videodisc" is designed to be used either directly under the control of a teacher via a handheld remote control device or interactively under control of a computer program that aids a student or teacher in finding the desired video sequence or still shot. Included with the videodisc are a set of directions and an image directory of frame numbers that can be used with a handheld remote control to select individual still shots or motion sequences. If you have a videodisc player with an RS-232 computer interface, a compatible computer can be used to control the videodisc. In the this case elements can be selected from a menu on the computer screen or by entering their symbols on the computer.

Hardware and Software Requirements
The Periodic Table Videodisc, Second Edition, is a 12-in., single-sided, CAV-type video laserdisc in NTSC format. (It is incompatible with the PAL standard used in many European countries.) It may be operated from any CAV-type laserdisc player using a handheld remote control keypad by entering a frame number from the image directory and then playing the video sequence that begins at that frame. The video may also be accessed using a barcode reader interfaced to the laserdisc player. (Consult the supplier of your videodisc player to ascertain whether it can be used with a barcode reader.)
To make the video presentation visible to students in a classroom either a large-screen color monitor or a color video projection unit will be needed. The size of the monitor (or the need for a projection unit) depend s on the size of the class to which the presentation will be made.
If the disc is to be used under computer control, the videodisc player must have a serial (RS-232) interface. Software is not supplied with the videodisc.
Availability
Available: January 1, 2089

First Published: January 1989
Citation: Banks, A. J. The Periodic Table Videodisc: First Edition J. Chem. Educ. Software SP1
Keywords: Lecture Aid; Computer Room; Instructor; High School; General; Inorganic; Periodic table; Descriptive chemistry of elements

News | Issues | CD-ROM / Video | Find It! | Technical Support | For Authors

JCE Online | Journal | Software | Internet | Happenings | About JCE | Contact JCE

Last Updated: August 17, 2001
Created: February 3, 1997 Created by: J. L. Holmes
Comments to: jceonline@chem.wisc.edu

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



The Periodic Table Videodisc: First Edition
Alton J. Banks North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8204

Note:	This videodisc is out of print. See The Periodic Table Videodisc: Second Edition for information about the second edition, or Periodic Table Live! for video and more on CD-ROM.

"The Periodic Table Videodisc" is a visual database of information about the chemical elements. On a single-sided, 12-in., 30-min, CAV-type videodisc are included: pictures of each element; motion sequences that show reactions (if any) of each element with air, water, acids, and bases; and still pictures that show common and not-so-common uses and applications of each element. The disk shows a picture of almost every element in its stable form at room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure. Each element is labeled with its name and symbol, and in most cases there is a close-up to show details as well as a longer shot that gives perspective on the size of the sample. Frames in which the element is shown without a label are also included, making it possible to ask students to identify an element based on its visible characteristics. Sequences of up to half a minute or so show elements reacting with: air, water, aqueous acids (6M and 12M HCl; 6M and 15M HNO₃), and aqueous base (6M NaOH). Such sequences are shown for nearly every case in which a reaction is known to occur. Each begins with a label that identifies the element being reacted, and each type of reaction (with water, with acids, etc.) can be identified because the experimental setup is always the same. This facilitates comparisons among reactions of different elements with the same reagent, and such comparisons can be made easily, within seconds, as a consequence of the videodisc player's ability to find the beginning of any sequence nearly instantaneously. When a reaction is slow enough that more than about 30 s would be required to follow it to completion, the disc contains the beginning and end as well as an indication of how long the reaction actually took. To provide a feeling for reaction rates, slower reactions are afforded more time than faster ones but not in direct proportion to the actual time required. Uses and applications of the elements comprise the third major type of information on the disc. Hundreds of manufacturers and industrial sources that would be associated with one or more elements were contacted with the request that they supply slides and other visual materials regarding applications of the element, and most of them were extremely cooperative. In addition, specific items that contain certain elements were obtained independently and photographed so that up to a dozen applications of each element are included on the disc. For each application there is text frame that indicates what the application is and in which form (pure element, oxide, etc.) the element is used. This is followed by a picture of one or more items in which the element is found. Close-up of strontium burning. Click figure to view video (380 KB). "The Periodic Table Videodisc" is designed to be used either directly under the control of a teacher via a handheld remote control device or interactively under control of a computer program that aids a student or teacher in finding the desired video sequence or still shot. Included with the videodisc are a set of directions and an image directory of frame numbers that can be used with a handheld remote control to select individual still shots or motion sequences. If you have a videodisc player with an RS-232 computer interface, a compatible computer can be used to control the videodisc. In the this case elements can be selected from a menu on the computer screen or by entering their symbols on the computer. Hardware and Software Requirements The Periodic Table Videodisc, Second Edition, is a 12-in., single-sided, CAV-type video laserdisc in NTSC format. (It is incompatible with the PAL standard used in many European countries.) It may be operated from any CAV-type laserdisc player using a handheld remote control keypad by entering a frame number from the image directory and then playing the video sequence that begins at that frame. The video may also be accessed using a barcode reader interfaced to the laserdisc player. (Consult the supplier of your videodisc player to ascertain whether it can be used with a barcode reader.) To make the video presentation visible to students in a classroom either a large-screen color monitor or a color video projection unit will be needed. The size of the monitor (or the need for a projection unit) depend s on the size of the class to which the presentation will be made. If the disc is to be used under computer control, the videodisc player must have a serial (RS-232) interface. Software is not supplied with the videodisc. Availability Available: January 1, 2089


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

Last Updated: August 17, 2001 Created: February 3, 1997	Created by: J. L. Holmes Comments to: jceonline@chem.wisc.edu

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