The Chemistry Set is a fully featured database of information centered upon the periodic table. It contains an exciting array of structured information on chemicals, including their physical properties, history, and the people involved with their discovery, where they are to be found, etc. There are 400+ video sequences, a 500 compound database, 500 interactive molecular graphics, 100 element cards, a 4,000 word database, 500 photographs, and a 600 parameter database. The CD was developed in conjunction with the National Council for Educational Technology and the University of Nottingham. New features in version 1.1 are the ability to print and clip and to copy, as well as an expanded scientist database. System requirements specify Windows capabilities, as well as 160 MB hard disk space, 16 bit audio, 8 MB RAM, and an 80486SX processor 25 MHz.
Loading of the product went smoothly. The periodic table can be viewed in three ways other than the usual chart method:
- 1.
1through the temperature state icon;
- 2.
2through the timeline icon; and
- 3.
3through the properties icon.
When viewing the separate elements, one can view a thumbnail sketch of the element, click on the data icon for information, click on the information icon (which lists information such as origin, description, discovery, source, history, literature, and biological use), click on the photograph icon, or click on the molecular icon (where the user can view a 3D model of the molecular structure and rotate the image on the x, y, and z axes). Data searches can be done via seven databases: elements, compounds, minerals, countries, scientists, E‐numbers, and planets. An alphabetical index of everything in the database is also available.
This product is easy to use; and it contains almost everything there is to know about the periodic table, and thus would be of importance to users in the sciences, from high school to adult. The 3D graphics are clear; and the manipulation of the images assists the user in viewing the compounds and elements in a way that cannot be done with a textbook. I recommend this product as a good interactive product for the teaching and learning of the periodic table elements.
