Computer graphics in chemical education

The UCSD Pascal programming language has been employed to develop three software packages suitable for senior high school and introductory university chemistry. All programs utilise microcomputer graphics and animation to illustrate specific chemical concepts. The packages, developed on the Apple II microcomputer, have been favourably evaluated in the chemistry classroom. An important feature of the software is the presentation of a highly interactive environment in which the user can control the simulation of a variety of chemical reactions. Chemical concepts, often found difficult by students, are clearly displayed and explained through high quality graphics and animation. Most significantly, microcomputer animation in these packages provide an excellent tool to help students visualize chemical reactions at a molecular level.