This section allows the user access to several lists, displaying the many materials covered on this disc in eight different sets according to their properties. Access is via one of the eight categories displayed on the pictures.
As well as access to the lists, an introduction to each different set of lists, available by pressing on the 'introduction' button, explains the different sets and how and why different materials display the different properties mentioned.
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MATERIALS - INTRODUCTIONS
This section presents an introduction to some different physical properties which are used to group materials. Seven different sets of physical properties are discussed. The groupings of materials within each physical property set are described.
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MATERIALS - SELECTION LISTS
This section provides alphabetically sorted lists of the materials according to certain physical properties that they display. From these lists, access can be made to further information on each material by locating the required material in one of the lists and selecting the investigate button.
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MATERIALS - INVESTIGATE SCREENS
This section provides information relating to each material. All the materials have a 'general' section, giving a brief introduction to that material and a 'composition' section. Then, where appropriate for each material, the 'occurrence', 'extraction', 'production', 'applications' and 'history' are described. Any other relevant information, not fitting into any of these categories is displayed in the 'other' section. Not all categories are relevant for each material: For example, a man-made material will not have an 'occurrence' section.
Each section is available by clicking on the required button. For any section, selecting the 'others' button at the top of the page will give a list of materials, with all the materials available for that section highlighted. Any of the highlighted materials can then be selected.
At any point the tests section for any material can be accessed by clicking on the tests icon at the bottom of the screen.
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TESTS - TITLE PAGE
This screen provides access to fifteen different standard physical and chemical tests that can be carried out on the materials in order to identify them. Access can be made by selecting the required material at the top of screen using the 'others' button. Clicking on the required test will then provide the information for the material chosen and an investigation into the required test can be made..
As well as access to the tests themselves, a tutorial section, obtained by pressing on the 'tutorial' button, is available for each test. The tutorial gives a description of each test and why and how it is carried out.
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TESTS - TUTORIALS
The tutorial section provides a description of the tests carried out on each material. The tutorial describes the test, detailing the relevance of the test and why it is used to identify materials. The method used for carrying out the test is described along with some expected results or required calculations in order to identify different substances.
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TESTS - OBSERVATION
This section describes the appearance of each material, giving a description of the material, followed by a description of what the material looks like on closer examination.
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TESTS - SOLUBILITY
This section demonstrates the solubility of a material in water and dilute hydrochloric acid. Some materials are soluble in one or both solvents, other materials are soluble in neither solvent. The final section 'A suitable solvent' names the solvent most used to dissolve the chosen material.
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TESTS - ACTION OF HEAT
This section demonstrates what happens to a material when it is heated in air. The method used is provided along with a description of what happens during and after heating the material. Any conclusions, giving information on what the test shows the material to be, is provided in the 'conclusions' section.
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TESTS - HEATING WITH CUO
This section details an experiment showing what heating a material mixed with copper oxide (CuO) can test for. The method and results are given, as is information indicating what substances can be tested for, thus giving information showing the nature of the material being tested.
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TESTS - TEST FOR NEGATIVE ION
This section provides information on how to test for the negative ion in any material which is considered an ionic salt. The test must be carried out in logical order, i.e. in the order of the buttons shown.
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TESTS - TEST FOR POSITIVE ION
This section describes how to test for the positive ion in a material, usually a metal or ionic salt. The test must be carried out in logical order, i.e. in the order of the buttons shown.
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TESTS - BURNING IN AIR
This section shows what happens to a material when it is burnt, by placing in a flame or strong heat. The method and results are given, along with the conclusions that can be made from these results.
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TESTS - DENSITY
This section details the process by which the density of a material can be measured. It shows the equipment required and the equations needed to obtain the correct calculation of density.
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TESTS - MELTING POINT
This section details the general process by which the melting point of a material is measured. It contains an interactive section showing an animation of the material melting and the temperatures at which this process occurs.
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TEST - BOILING POINT
This section details the general process by which the boiling point of a material is measured. It contains an interactive section showing an animation of the material boiling and the temperatures at which this process occurs.
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TESTS - THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
This section describes how the passage of heat through a material can be measured. An interactive animation shows the experiment in progress. Certain readings can then be made from the animation from which a value for thermal conductivity, i.e. heat conductance, can be calculated using the equation and explanations given.
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TESTS - RESISTANCE
This section details how to carry out an experiment in order to measure the resistivity of a material to electricity. A simple experiment is first described showing how a comparison of the resistivity of different materials can be made. A more detailed experiment is then described, including an interactive section where specific readings can be obtained in order that the exact resistance of a material can be calculated using the equation and explanations given.
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TESTS - ELASTICITY
This section details an experiment showing how to determine whether a material is elastic or not. A method explaining how to set up the apparatus is given. An interactive animation of the experiment allows the addition and removal of weights from the material so that various readings can be obtained. The graphs and calculations that can then be made from the experiment are described and explained.
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TESTS - TENSILE STRENGTH
This experiment details an experiment showing how to determine the tensile strength of a material, i.e. the weight or force a material can support before it breaks. A method explaining how to set up the apparatus is given. An interactive animation of the experiment allows the addition and removal of weights from the material so that various readings can be obtained. The graphs and calculations that can then be made from the experiment are described and explained.
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TESTS - PROFILE
This section provides a summary of the relevant properties of a material, not covered in the other fourteen tests. It helps to give an indication of why the materials are used for certain applications.
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INTERACT - MELTING POINT
The animation shows what happens to a solid material as it is heated up to its melting point and beyond. Temperature and time readings can be made in order to show the differences between the melting points of materials and the different speeds at which the change of state occurs.
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INTERACT - BOILING POINT
The animation shows what happens to a liquid as it is heated up to its boiling point and boils. Temperature and time readings can be made in order to show the differences between the boiling points of materials and the different speeds at which the change of state occurs.
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INTERACT - THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
The animation shows the passage of heat through a solid material as it is heated from one end. The temperature reached at certain points along the solid after different lengths of time can be recorded and the relative conductivity of the materials can be compared.
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INTERACT - RESISTANCE
The animation shows the set up of an electric circuit to measure the resistivity of a material. The voltmeter and ammeter readings can be read and recorded in order to calculate and compare the resistance of different materials.
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INTERACT - ELASTICITY
The animation shows the equipment and set up required to determine whether a material is elastic. Various weights can be selected and added to or taken from the end of the material. Readings of the extension obtained when different weights are added can be recorded and the elasticity of the material determined.
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INTERACT - TENSILE STRENGTH
The animation shows the equipment and set up required to determine the tensile strength of a material. Various weights can be selected and added to or taken from the end of the material. Readings of the extension obtained when different weights are added can be recorded and the elastic limit and tensile strength of the material determined.
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QUIZ
'Materials Gains' is an interactive quiz that can be played individually or in groups. It tests your knowledge of the materials studied on the disc by providing clues from which you must identify a material from the list given.
Points are awarded for guessing the correct material, the less clues needed in order to guess a material, the more points awarded. The quiz is set against the clock and a sudden death game is also available where the correct material must be guessed or the game is stopped.
