Symmetry and Point Groups consists of four modules that teach students about
symmetry within molecules.
- Introduction to Symmetry Operations introduces students to the concept
of different symmetry operations by showing animations illustrating those operations.
Audio is also included to further explain what is being illustrated in the animations.
- Symmetry Elements within Molecules helps students learn to recognize
symmetry elements by allowing them to choose a symmetry element and showing them
where the symmetry element is located.
- Identifying Symmetry Elements within Molecules asks students to identify
and choose the symmetry elements contained within a specific molecule.
- Determining Point Groups leads students through a point group flow
chart by asking them questions about a specific molecule. After completing the
questions, students can identify the point group.
Symmetry and Point Groups teaches fundamental concepts about point group symmetry
at an upper-division undergraduate level. It can also be used as a review tool
for graduate students or students in other physical science disciplines.
Features of this software include animations and audio explaining symmetry
operations, interactive pictures showing symmetry elements within molecules, 3-D
RasMol pictures of molecules that can be rotated in all directions to view the
molecule from different perspectives, questions that help students identify symmetry
elements within molecules, and step-by-step questions that lead students through
a flow chart to determine point groups of molecules.
Symmetry and Point Groups can be used with typical textbooks (1,
2) for presentation of the concepts of symmetry and point
groups in class. It can also be used by students in a computer lab to help them
visualize symmetry elements and assign point groups. It can be used both as a
presentation and individual interaction or as assignments.
A screen from Symmetry and Point Groups.
Symmetry and Point Groups requires RasMol version 2.6 for Windows, which is
included on the Advanced Chemistry Collection CD-ROM.
Literature Cited
- Douglas, B. E.; Holingsworth, C. A. Symmetry in Bonding
and Spectra, An Introduction; Academic Press Inc.: New York, 1985.
- Cotton, F. A. Chemical Applications of Group Theory,
2nd ed.; John Wiley and Sons Inc.: New York, 1971.
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