Resources
3 Chemistry
Acid-Base Solutions (PhET) (CC BY)
First-year chemistry. This lab simulates acidic and basic solutions of varying strength. Students can measure acidity/basicity with a pH meter and pH paper, and they can observe electron mobility by completing a circuit with the solution, with which they can test how bright a light bulb shines. Students can also make their own solutions of varying concentrations and strength. Some work will need to be done by an instructor to prepare procedures and assessment questions. May need to be paired with another lab for completeness.
Alpha Decay (PhET) (CC BY)
First-year chemistry. Shows nuclear decay and half-life. Requires a software download.
Atomic Interactions (PhET) (CC BY)
First-year chemistry. This simulation illustrates very well the concept of attractive and repulsive interatomic forces and how a potential energy diagram translates to what is actually happening on an atomic scale. Instructors could use this simulation to explain why the noble gases are monoatomic, while oxygen is diatomic.
Balloons & Buoyancy (PhET) (CC BY)
First-year chemistry. Visually shows ideal gas laws.
Beer’s Law Lab (PhET) (CC BY)
First-year chemistry. This simulation demonstrates Beer’s Law quite well. Instructors can develop procedures for measuring the concentration of various coloured inorganic solutions, such as drink mix. Students can switch between absorbance and transmittance, vary the concentrations of solutions, and see how absorbance and transmittance changes with concentration.
Concentration (PhET) (CC BY)
First-year chemistry. An instructor could ask students to predict the concentration of a diluted solution through calculations and then use the software to support their predictions. Pairs well with Beer’s Law simulation.
Diffusion (PhET) (CC BY)
First- to third-year chemistry. Simple but effective diffusion model. Students can adjust size and T of objects and time and measure diffusion when a barrier is removed.
Double Wells and Covalent Bonds (PhET) (CC BY)
Upper-level physical chemistry. Demonstrates the abstract concepts of wave functions and energy levels in covalent bonds in an easy-to-understand way.
Elementary Flame Test and Flame Test II
First-year chemistry. A very simple virtual flame test experiment, colloquially known as the rainbow flame test. In the elementary flame test, students observe the emission spectrum of four known standards and use them to identify two unknowns. The simulation mimics the lab experience well.
The second version has 12 standards and 12 unknowns. Full identification would take approximately one hour. May require a free Open University account to access.
Energy Forms and Changes (PhET) (CC BY)
First-year chemistry. Shows simple energy transfers.
Fourier: Making Waves (PhET) (CC BY)
First- and second-year chemistry. Shows constructive and destructive wave interactions.
Gas Properties (PhET) (CC BY)
First-year chemistry. Good demonstration of the ideal gas law. Stu