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Charles E. Ophardt, Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, Ill 60126
Inorganic Molecules: A Visual Database is a CD-ROM that contains text
and graphics describing 66 molecules and ions commonly used as examples
in general chemistry courses. For each molecule, fifteen molecular properties
are presented visually by at eight or nine different molecular models created
by the CAChe Scientific Molecular Modeling program. In addition, each molecule
in ball/stick format (including lone pair electrons) can be rotated in three
dimensions. The visual database is accessed interactively from a HyperCard
stack.
Molecular property information includes: ball/stick model, covalent radii,
van der Waals radii, Lewis structure, resonance structures, bond angle,
bond length, electronegativity, partial charge, dipole moment, electron
pair geometry, molecular geometry, hybridization, electrostatic potential,
and molecular orbitals (HOMO and LUMO). The molecular graphics are presented
in reduced graphic views in sets of two, three, or four, with the ability
to enlarge any of them.
In addition, each molecule in ball/stick format, including lone pair electrons,
is animated by appropriate rotations about the x, y, and z axis in a QuickTime
movie. All molecular orbitals and MO diagrams are included for seven common
diatomic molecules, as well as, water, ammonia, and carbon dioxide. Finally,
a visual help data set is available to explain more details about each molecular
property.
Another feature of the database is the ability to compare the visual properties
of any two molecules, simultaneously. The visual graphics are shown in a
reduced form, side by side, with the ability to enlarge them. There are
a variety of presorted lists of molecules for comparison, such as diatomics,
triatomics, linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, polar, non-polar, and
more.
One use for the visual database is enhancement of lecture presentations,
adding visual information to bring to life dull chalkboard representations
of a molecule using a large TV monitor or other large screen projection
device. The molecules and labels are scaled appropriately large for this
purpose. Any time during a lecture that a particular molecule is mentioned
for any purpose, it is easy to bring the molecule to life as an animation
or any other visual formats as the situation requires. It is invaluable
to be able to compare two molecules for geometry, bond angles, bond lengths,
MO's, etc.
The visual molecule database may be used interactively by students to "discover"
important concepts about molecules. Discovery type problems with suggested
molecule sets are used to answer specific questions about molecular properties.
System Requirements: MAC computer, 7.x System, 8MB RAM, CD-ROM 2x or greater
speed, HyperCard 2.x, QuickTime 2.0
Available from: JCE: Software
Vol.8 C, No. 1 (for Macintosh)
Abstract: J.Chem. Educ., 1996, 73, 246.
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