Each chemistry simulation consists of two web pages:Clicking on the links below will display the index page and the applet page in your Internet browser.
- Index page - a short, text based tutorial
- Applet page - a small interactive program or simulation
A third link, to Export and Download the two web pages, is also provided. Clicking this link will export the two web pages in IMS Content Package format. IMS Content Package is an import/export format for moving learning content between different e-learning systems, such as resource libraries, websites and virtual learning environments. The IMS Content Package export provided here uses the common .ZIP file format which may be opened using a tool such a WinZip.
Package 1: Choice of Indicator
The applet allows students to select a combination of acid and base solutions from a menu, along with a choice of indicator. The simulation then draws the graph of the titration of the acid by the base, showing the equivalence point of the titration and the end point of the indicator.
Package 2: First Order Reactions
The applet allows students to explore the effect of concentration change on the rate of a first order reaction. Students may select initial concentration and sampling interval. Multiple runs of the simulation will enable students to collect results from which the order of reaction mayb be deduced. The simulation uses the thermal decomposition of dinitrogen pentoxide at 338K as an example of a first order process.
Package 3: Second Order Reactions
The applet allows students to explore the effect of concentration change on the rate of a second order reaction. Students may select initial concentration and sampling interval. Multiple runs of the simulation will enable students to collect results from which the order of reaction may be deduced. The simulation uses the thermal decomposition of nitrogen dioxide at 573K as an example of a second order process.
Package 4: Effect of Temperature on Reaction Rate
The applet allows students to explore the effect of concentration change and temperature change on the rate of a first order reaction. Students may select initial concentration and reaction temperature. The inclusion of two independent variables that both affect the rate of reaction means that students must control variables between subsequent runs of the simulation. Multiple runs of the simulation will enable students to collect results from which the order of reaction may be deduced and the effect of temperature. The simulation uses the thermal decomposition of dinitrogen pentoxide within the range 335K to 365K as an example of a first order process.
Package 5: Diffusion
The applet allows students to explore the effect of molar mass and temperature change on the diffusion of a number of gases. Students may select a pair of gases and temperature. The inclusion of two independent variables that both affect the diffusion means that students must control variables between subsequent runs of the simulation. Multiple runs of the simulation will require averaging before comparison. The simulation runs in a similar way to the common school experiment where ammonia and hydrogen chloride are released at opposite ends of a glass tube. The region where molecules first collide is indicative of relative molar mass.
Package 6: Atomic and Ionic Radii
The applet allows students to explore the comparison between atomic and ionic radii of the same element, as well as the periodicity of the radii across period 3.
Package 7: Collision Theory
The applet allows students to explore the effect of orientation and kinetic energy on the outcome of the reaction between hydrogen molecules and iodine molecules. The succesful collision to create the hydrogen iodide product is the result of an energy greater that the activation energy and the correct spatial orientation of colliding molecules.