Figure 2. First screen of chromatography of inks computer simulation: "Solve the Mystery" flashes to attract anention. Figure 3. Computer-simulatedTLC plates showing separation of dyes in two Inks.
separation (Fig. 3). Both inks are run on the screen at the same time with pauses so a description of each step in the process can be described. These steps are 1) Thin layer chromatographyplates 2) Ink spots applied 3) Plates dinned in liouid 4j tiquid ri'ses up plate
5) Liquid carries ink up the plate
6) Dyes separate if ink is a mixture
7) Final separation.
The student is reminded that the dyes must have the same color and position for the inks t o be considered identical. He is then asked to give his conclusion about the case with an appropriate response being output by the computer. The promam then returns to the original screen with its flashing &&tor title. In practice the 26-in. Sony TV receiver used for the computer display positioned on a cart a t eye-level could be viewed by 20-30 people a t a time and many were content to observe somebody else going through the simulation before they moved on to the next display. This was a real advantage during esoeciallv crowded times. ?he drsplays worked well, as designed, t o handle the large crowds involved. (Spokane and the 12 other surrounding school districts in our area have over 60,000 K-12 students.j The maior asset of this chromatography display was the interest i t generated among the j&o;hLgh s&dknts. Several were interested in attempting the separations and a future display should incorpor& a-hands-on aspect using a safe solvent system. The Chromatography Mystery Program for the Apple 11, II+, and IIe with Applesoft and DOS 3.3 is available for $15. Please send check payable to G. L. Breneman with requests.
Analyncal Chemistry Program Set James K. Hardy h e University of Akron Akron. OH 44325 A series of nromams is available for use in the analvtical chemistry lah&a&ry. The Analytical Chemistry program Srt consists of e ~ e h R t a ~ i coroerams for use with a Rarilo Shack in ~ o d e l ? 1 1mode) equipped with the RSModel 111( O ~ I V 232C communications port and a t least one disk drive. Also required for three of the programs is the DAU I data sampler (see Bits & Pieces. 22). The system as designed will automatically hoot Hasic with the prowr number of files and run the .MENU proxram, which hrie.flydescribes the other srven programs inthe set and allows the user to exrcute them. The programs are as follows:
1) DATALOAD The program used to enter and store X,Y
data for use with the PLOTTER oromam. This program will plot the hest fitfo; straight-line or first- or second-order data entered with DATALOAD. A plot is produced. Printer required. 3) EXTRACT1 A simulation o f a 100-tubeCraig CounterCurrent Extractor with up ru three ION substances. Simulation of a gas chromatograph where 4) GC the user must optimize a separation of three species using a column of his own design. A program that used the DAU I for the 5) TITRATE collection of pH data during a titration. At the end of the titration, the pK, and equivalent weight is determined. 6) INTEGRAT Allows for the use of the Model 111as a GC intemator. Reauires the DAU I. 7) SPEC/RAS ~hispmgramcollects data from a scanning IIV sprrtnrphotometer.K n o w s are sawd in the file SPECIDAT. Unknown appctraare then collected and identifications made based on the SPEC/DAT file. Spectra expansion and compression as well as derivatization are also possible. Requires the DAU I. 2) PLOTTER
The program set, including program listings and instructions, information on the construction and operation of the DAU I interface, and sample runs can be ohtained directly from Project SERAPHIM.
Microcomputer-Assisted Drills in Organic Synthesis R. Barone, 8. Ribero, B. Glbert, and R. Meyer Universlte Aix Marseille Ill
Faculte des Sciences et Techniques de St. Jerome 13397 Marseille Cedex 13, France Traditionally in most colleges and universities, organic chemistry course lecture continues to he the main instructional method. T o encourage thinking and active participation we have introduced the students of the fmt-year course at the University of Aix-Marseille I11 to microcomputers as an aid to the traditional lecture. Comouters have been lareelv utilized to provide student drills :i organic chemistry ilG),but moscof the methods require expensive computers and elaborate software which are beyond the limits of the resources of most small institutions. In the last years only a few organic chemistry drills have been taught with microcomputers (9-13),but this technique is now used extensively in the introductory undergraduate chemistry course level.. Volume 62 Number 5 May 1965
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