JOURNRL OF
Chemical Education: Software Abstract for Volume 8 B, Number 2
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AN UNKNOWN WEAK ACID
(for DOS on IBM PC-compatibles)
SIRs: Simulations and Interactive Resources, II John S. Martin University of Alberta ~dmonton,Alberta. Canada T6G 2GZ Simulations and Interactive Resources (SIRS) are designed to support interactive lectures i n introductory chemistry. This second issue of SIRs includes seven new SIRs as well as all previously published SIRS ( I ) updated to take advantage of a n improved programming environment. SIRS provide quick access to computer-generated visual material, ranging from simple illustrations and animations to complete simulations of experiments. They are completely under the instructor's control and use a simple mouse-driven interface. The new SIRS are incorporated into the same menu system as the twelve previously published SIRs; each one is easy to access with a mouse click. Screens have been desimed - to be readable by all students when projected i n a large classroom. The SIRS i n this issue are listed by topic below, with new SIRS marked by:, Periodic Table and Atomic Structure
Phase Equilibrium and Gas Laws SIR Ton: Barometers and Manometers SIR Ebullient: Vapor Pressures SIR Ideal: Ideal Gas Behavior Heat Capacity and Thermochemistry SIR Calorie: Heat Capacity, Heat of Reaction SIR Entropy: Atomization, Solution, Expansion
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Reactions and Chemical Equilibrium SIR Dynamic: Approach to Equilibrium SIR Q: The Law of Chemical Equilibrium Acid Base Equilibrium SIR Titrate: Titration Curves SIR Unknown: Titrating an Unknown Redox and Electrochemistry SIR Polaritv: Electrochemical Cells
Chemical Kinetics SIR Rate: Rate of Reaction SIR Initial: Initial Rate Method SIR Isolate: Isolation of Reagents SIR Sequent: Reaction Mechanisms
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SIRs are designed to support spontaneous, interactive lectures. Once the computer and a projection system are set UD. all the SIRS are directlv accessible via a n intuitive interrace that allows the inst&ctor to think about chemistw. not the com~uter.You can use this material heads-up. .. f a k g the class;not crouched over the keyboard.
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In SIR Unknown you can tltratean unknown acid orbase.Afterreach-
ing the endpoint as indicated by color change of the solution, you can calculate the molecular weight of the unknown acid. The program checks your work and provides feedback on various aspects of the simulated titration. Numbers hardlv ever have to be entered from the kevboard; one simply kicks on any number that appears in white on the screen. The leR mouse button increases a number and the right button decreases it. All active options are present on the screen: there are no pull-down menus to search. Onsnrl is sufliuisntly comprt>ht!nscrcrn hclp is a~wa~savailahle s v e that unemav lrarn rhe operation of:nivSIR from it. Help can be used whilk preparingfor a lecture, to discover what thk SIR can do. SIRS do not impose any particular pedagogy, nor interrupt the flow of a lecture. The graphic material goes on the screen whenever you decide i t is needed, and may be interrupted when i t has served its purpose.
Microwave Spectroscopy Tutor Ian J. McNaught University of Sydney Sydney,Australia Rory Moore University of Natal Pietermaritzburg, South Africa This program illustrates aspects of the microwave spect r a of linear molecules. Spectra showing a range of features can be easily and quickly generated. ~ u a l ~ t a t i vef-e fects of t e m p e r a t u r e , centrifugal distortion, isotopic substitution, rotation-vibration interaction, [-type doubling, nuclear quadrupole interaction, line width and a n electric field can he observed. By measuring the positions of the peaks i t is possible to determine numerically:
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rotational and centrifugal distortion constants; bond lengths in a linear heteronuclear triatomic molecule; rotation-vibration constants and equilibrium rotational constants: P-type doubling constants; nuclear quadrupale coupling constants; dipole moments; band lengths, vibrational frequencies, anharmonicity constants, and dissociation energies of heteronuclear diatomic molecules. Volume 72 Number 11 November 1995
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