Chemistry Simulations

Table of Contents: SOLsCH.1

The student will investigate and understand that experiments in which variables are measured, analyzed, and evaluated produce observations and verifiable data.

CH.2The student will investigate and understand that the placement of elements on the periodic table is a function of their atomic structure.

CH.3The student will investigate and understand how conservation of energy and matter is expressed in chemical formulas and balanced equations.

CH.4The student will investigate and understand that quantities in a chemical reaction are based on molar relationships.

CH.5The student will investigate and understand that the phases of matter are explained by kinetic theory and forces of attraction between particles.

CH.1 The student will investigate and understand that experiments in which variables

are measured, analyzed, and evaluated produce observations and verifiable data. Key concepts include

a. designated laboratory techniques;b. safe use of chemicals and equipment;c. proper response to emergency situations;d. manipulation of multiple variables, using repeated trials;e. accurate recording, organization, and analysis of data through

repeated trials;f. mathematical and procedural error analysis;g. mathematical manipulations (SI units, scientific notation, linear

equations, graphing, ratio and proportion, significant digits, dimensional analysis);

h. use of appropriate technology including computers, graphing calculators, and probeware, for gathering data and communicating results; and

i. construction and defense of a scientific viewpoint (the nature of science).

SOLs

Virtual Chemistry Lab

http://www.chemcollective.org/vlab/vlab.phpIn this virtual chemistry lab, cabinets are opened full of chemicals and lab-ware. Chemicals can be mixed together, heated, poured from one container to another, and specific information about chemical properties is displayed. As solutions are heated, you can see the pH values change. There is a very helpful Help Menu. This is a professionally done site, funded by the National Science Foundation.

SOLs

Spectrometer

http://www.chem.iastate.edu/group/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/propOfSoln/spec203.htmlThis simulation allows students to use a spectrometer without needing to have an actual spectrometer. They can zero the spectrometer with distilled water, they can change the wavelength and the molarity of the sample, and the can graph this data.

SOLs

Separation Lab

http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/mixture/mixture.htmlApply knowledge of physical properties to try your hand at separating the substances in several mixtures.

SOLs

CH.2 The student will investigate and understand that the placement of elements on the periodic table is a function of their atomic structure. The periodic table is a tool used for the investigations of

a. average atomic mass, mass number, and atomic number;

b. isotopes, half lives, and radioactive decay;

c. mass and charge characteristics of subatomic particles;

d. families or groups;

e. series and periods;

f. trends including atomic radii, electronegativity, shielding effect, and ionization energy;

g. electron configurations, valence electrons, and oxidation numbers;

h. chemical and physical properties; and

i. historical and quantum models.

SOLs

Periodic Table and Electron Configuration

http://www.chemcollective.org/applets/pertable.phpClick on any element and the name, symbol, atomic number and atomic mass are given. A graphical plot of electron configurations will be displayed as well.

SOLs

Periodic Table, Isotopes and Half Life

http://www.chemicalelements.com/Click on any element and you will be given information about the element, including the isotopes and their half lives. You will also be given facts about the element, such as when it was discovered.

SOLs

Atomic Structure

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/tryit/atom/#In this interactive simulation, an atom is built from the quark up. As up and down quarks are combined to make protons or neutrons, they can be dragged into the atomic structure and placed appropriately. Electrons can be dragged and placed in the appropriate electron shell.

SOLs

Atomic Models

http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Models_of_the_Hydrogen_AtomIn this simulation, particles are shot at a hydrogen atom. The experiment shows what happens in real life. If you change to the experiment, you can test how the Billiard Ball, Plum Pudding, Solar System, Bohr, deBroglie, and Schrödinger models react when the particles are shot at the hydrogen atom.

SOLs

Nuclear Fission

http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Nuclear_FissionStart a chain reaction, or introduce non-radioactive isotopes to prevent one. Control energy production in a nuclear reactor! (Previously part of the Nuclear Physics simulation - now there are separate Alpha Decay and Nuclear Fission sims.)

SOLs

CH.3 The student will investigate and understand how conservation of energy and matter is expressed in chemical formulas and balanced equations. Key concepts include

a. nomenclature;

b. balancing chemical equations;

c. writing chemical formulas (molecular, structural, and empirical; and Lewis diagrams);

d. bonding types (ionic and covalent);

e. reaction types (synthesis, decomposition, single and double replacement, oxidation-reduction, neutralization, exothermic, and endothermic); and

f. reaction rates and kinetics (activation energy, catalysis, and degree of randomness).

SOLs

Balancing Equations

http://funbasedlearning.com/chemistry/chembalancer/default.htm This interactive game consists of 13 chemical equations that need balancing. If you correctly balance each equation, you are rewarded with interesting element factoids. If you do not balance the equation correctly, you are prompted to try again. A student worksheet can be downloaded to accompany this website.

SOLs

Chemical Equation Construction

http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/kits/kit_chemical_equation.htmlThis simulation gives the students a reaction and the students must come up with the chemical equation in words and then in symbols. The students must then balance the equation and finally, determine the state of each of the reactants and products.

SOLs

Redox Titration

http://www.chem.iastate.edu/group/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/redoxNew/redox.htmlThis simulation allows students to perform a titration of Redox reactions. After performing the titration with a known concentration of the oxidizing agent, they will be able to calculate the concentration of the reducing agent, and then check their answer.

SOLs

Reactions and Rates

http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Reactions_and_RatesThis simulation allows the students to see how they can put energy into the system to overcome the activation energy. They can increase the temperature as well as the number of molecules. There is also a timer feature, so students can measure how long it takes for a reaction to occur, and how the rate changes when the temperature is changed.

SOLs

CH.4 The student will investigate and understand that quantities in a chemical reaction are based on molar relationships. Key concepts include

a. Avogadro’s principle and molar volume;

b. stoichiometric relationships;

c. partial pressure;

d. gas laws;

e. solution concentrations;

f. chemical equilibrium; and

g. acid/base theory: strong electrolytes, weak electrolytes, and nonelectrolytes; dissociation and ionization; pH and pOH; and the titration process.

SOLs

Acid-Base Titration

http://www.chem.iastate.edu/group/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/stoichiometry/acid_base.htmlThis simulation allows the students to determine the acids and bases they will use in the titration, as well as the indicator. The students can add the solutions in large portions and dropwise. Once they have completed the titration, they can calculate the molarity of the acid and check their answer.

SOLs

Electrolysis

http://www.chem.iastate.edu/group/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/electroChem/electrolysis10.htmlThis simulations allows the students to explore how electrolysis works with different metals, solutions, and voltages over time. The simulation allows the students to see the movement of electrons and the change in mass of the metals.

SOLs

Boyle’s Law

http://www.chem.iastate.edu/group/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/gaslaw/boyles_law_graph.htmlThis simulation allows students to gather data on the volume and pressure of a gas in the tube. Once the students have gathered this data, they can create a graph to see how Boyle’s law is supported.

SOLs

Charles’ Law

http://www.chem.iastate.edu/group/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/gaslaw/charles_law.htmlThis simulation allows the students to change the temperature and observe how the volume changes, based on the change in temperature. While the student is manipulating the temperature, a graph will be made showing how Charles’ law is supported.

SOLs

Gas Properties

http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Gas_PropertiesThis simulation allows the students to set a constant parameter, either volume, temperature or pressure, and then adjust one of the other parameters and observe how the third parameter responds. The students can also time the reaction or graph the kinetic energy and speed if the molecules.

SOLs

CH.5 The student will investigate and understand that the phases of matter are explained by kinetic theory and forces of attraction between particles. Key concepts include

a. pressure, temperature, and volume;

b. vapor pressure;

c. phase changes;

d. molar heats of fusion and vaporization;

e. specific heat capacity; and

f. colligative properties.

SOLs

Boiling Point Elevation and Freezing Point Depression

http://www.chem.iastate.edu/group/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/propOfSoln/colligative.htmlThis simulation allows the students to investigate what will happen to the freezing point and boiling point of certain solvents when different solutes are added. As the Kb, Kf, pure boiling point and pure freezing point, the students can check the results mathematically.

SOLs

Melting and Boiling Point

http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/hotplate/index.htmlRun an experiment to make heating curves for three different substances. Then, read each curve to determine the substances’ melting and boiling points.

SOLs

Specific Heat Capacity

http://employees.oneonta.edu/viningwj/sims/specific_heat_s.htmlThis simulation allows the students to calculate the specific heat capacity for different substances. 250 Joules are added to the substance for a given amount of time, and the students can use the change in temperature and the mass to calculate the specific heat.

SOLs