Animations and simulations on the internet

There is a substantial amount of such resources available on the internet. However, care must be taken here as the
internet is an unedited resource and there are issues of reliability linked with the information provided. Even where
the information is reliable you must also be careful with the terminology used in some chemistry websites. Many
websites are written for different education systems and are not directly structured to fit with the exam syllabus you
are following.
All these links have been checked and are working at the time of going to press. They are all freely available and
accessible. To access some of these reliably needs a reasonably fast broadband connection.

Chapter 1 Planet Earth

Structure of the Earth
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/platetectonics/
This link connects to a site dealing with the background to the structure of the Earth. It will give you more than
sufficient background for your current syllabus and is included as part of the scene setting which is part of the
purpose of this chapter.

Human impact, resources and air pollution

The next three links deal directly with the environmental issues relating to pollution and availability of resources dealt
with in Chapter 1. They are from the excellent series of BBC Bitesize revision sites and contain not only videos and
animations but notes and simple tests of your knowledge.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel/oneearth/damagetotheenvironmentact.shtml
Deals with human impact, renewable and non-renewable resources
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/21c/atmosphere/sourcesofairpollutionact.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/21c/atmosphere/chemicalsairact.shtml
These two sites offer a general discussion of the problems of atmospheric pollution

Global warming and climate change

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-impacts-interactive/
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/index.html
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-overview-interactive/
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/wind-power-interactive/
Information and summaries on current thinking relating to carbon dioxide as a major driver of climate change. Sites
include animations and interactive maps. The final site is an example exploring an alternative energy source, wind
turbines.

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Acid rain
http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/
This material is from the excellent US Environmental Protection Agency site. It provides a great deal of information,
including some experimental work.

The major natural cycles

http://www.purchon.com/ecology/carbon.htm
The carbon cycle a simple animation of the different stages
http://www.seed.slb.com/flash/science/features/earth/climate/en/EU_CC_01/index.htm?width=740&height=600
&popup=true
The carbon cycle a more complex animation including photosynthesis and respiration
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/riversandcoasts/water_cycle/rivers/pg_02_flash.shtml
A Flash simulation of the water cycle
http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/tlw3/eBridge/Chp29/animations/ch29/1_nitrogen_cycle.swf
A Flash animation of nitrogen cycle, including the ions involved.
http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/facilities/multimedia/uploads/ecology/ncycle.swf
A simpler version indicating the role of bacteria in the cycle.

Chapter 2 The nature of matter

Kinetic Theory and diffusion
http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/lsps07_int_naturematter/
A good text-plus-animations summary of states of matter, atoms and molecules, mixtures and compounds, plus a
useful introduction to formulae for the next chapter. Note that the molecules in the liquid are too far apart, and it isn't
entirely obvious what is wanted in the very last animation.

Atomic structure and isotopes

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_aqa/atomic/atomstrucact.shtml
A good summary of atomic structure with links to the organisation of the Periodic Table. Uses the term atomic
number which is also referred to as the proton number in the IGCSE syllabus.
http://www.freezeray.com/flashFiles/atomicStructure.htm
This Flash file shows the atomic structures of the first three periods of the elements. Just click on an element to see its
structure.

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More sophisticated interesting stuff beyond the syllabus but for interest
http://www.iap.tuwien.ac.at/www/surface/stm_gallery/stm_schematic
The invention of the scanning tunnelling microscope enabled us to see and manipulate atoms for the first time part
of the nanotechnology revolution. This site describes this type of microscope that enables us to look at what happens
on the surfaces of solids, showing the arrangement of the atoms. There is an animation link towards the foot of the
page, but the animation can take a very long time to load.
Some of the amazing images produced by on this type of microscopy have become iconic. They can be seen at the
following gallery site: http://www.almaden.ibm.com/vis/stm/lobby.html
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/electromag/java/rutherford/
The nuclear model of the atom: a very good animation of the Geiger-Marsden experiment. This classic experiment
carried out in Manchester, UK was the basis of Rutherfords model of the atom in which a tiny nucleus is surrounded
by lots of empty space. Not on the syllabus, but interesting.

Chapter 3 Elements and compounds

The Periodic Table
There are many versions of the Periodic Table on the web; these are some of the most useful. This first site is also the
most artistically stunning! The table from Nottingham University has video clips of all the elements, so you can
familiarise yourself with elements you wouldnt normally see. Included here is also Tom Lehrers famous Element
Song where he sings through the names of the known elements! Good fun and sticks in the memory.
http://www.rsc.org/chemsoc/visualelements/pages/pertable_fla.htm
A Periodic Table giving data and history of the elements - everything from data to e-postcards!
http://www.freezeray.com/flashFiles/discoveryDates.htm
A simple interactive version of the Table giving idea of the main groups, the progress of discovery, identification of
which elements are natural and which synthetic, reactivity and natural abundance
http://www.freezeray.com/flashFiles/periodicHistory.htm
A companion Table showing some of its historic development: Newlands octaves and a version of Mendeleevs table.
http://www.webelements.com/
This version is one of the most definitive and comprehensive. It contains masses of useful information about the
elements and their simple compounds. There are two versions available for download at the site: WEBELEM2.PDF is
the version most suitable for school use in terms of the level of data used.
http://resources.schoolscience.co.uk/ICI/periodictable/periodictable.html
An interactive Periodic Table that contains a good deal of information: from melting and boiling points to the
discovery and uses of the elements. Produced by the UK Association for Science Education.

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http://www.periodicvideos.com/
Novel and enjoyable video clips about every single element. You can use this to find out about elements like francium
or astatine at the bottom of Groups I and VII. This is produced by the University of Nottingham, UK.
http://www.privatehand.com/flash/elements.html
Not actually a Periodic Table, but Tom Lehrer's famous song does list all the elements. Everybody doing Chemistry
should have listened to it, and this particular version couples it with a very simple, but neat Flash animation

The elements and their Groups

http://www.creative-chemistry.org.uk/funstuff/jigsaw/table.htm
A piece of fun that will help you put the first three periods in order a jigsaw puzzle of the first 20 elements.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel/patterns/groupsact.shtml
An introduction to the different Groups in the Periodic Table: the alkali metals, the halogens and the noble gases:
exploring the reactivity within the groups.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel/patterns/transitionmetalsact.shtml
An introduction to the general properties of the transition metals.

Ions and ionic bonding

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_ocr/properties/ions_act.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_aqa/atomic/ionicact.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_aqa/atomic/ionicrev1.shtml
A thorough explanation of ionic bonding from the BBC includes a useful animation.
http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/lsps07_int_ionicbonding/
This is another excellent explanation of the formation of ionic bonds. These last two sites are sufficiently different for
it to be worth looking at both.

Covalent bonding
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_aqa/atomic/covalentbond.shtml
A summary and exercise on covalent bonding.
http://bcs.whfreeman.com/thelifewire/content/chp02/02020.html
A well presented animation of the different types of bonding. The presentation is in a sequence of four options and it
is important that you watch these options in the order that they are presented. Once you have finished one part, press
the option button to go to the next one. The third option includes mention of hydrogen bonding, which is not on
your syllabus.

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Metallic bonding
http://www.drkstreet.com/resources/metallic-bonding-animation.swf
Flash animation of metal bonding and electrical conductivity.

Chapter 4 Chemical reactions

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel/chemicalreactions/chemicalsinthelabandhomeact.shtml
Chemicals in laboratory and home. Includes an introduction to the safety symbols.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/ocr_gateway/carbon_chem/1_cookingact.shtml
A diversion into looking at cookery as a practical form of chemistry. An example of chemical reactions in the everyday
world.

Balancing chemical equations

http://www.creative-chemistry.org.uk/gcse/revision/equations/02.htm
This will give you a random set of fairly easy equations to balance against the clock.

Electrolysis
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_aqa/ions/electrolysisact.shtml
The process of electrolysis: a visualisation of ion movement towards the electrodes and their discharge.

Chapter 5 Acids, bases and salts

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_aqa/ions/acidsbasesact.shtml
An introduction to acids and bases, and the formation of salts

Reactions of acids
http://www.crescent.edu.sg/crezlab/Webpages/AcidReaction3.htm
This is a page about neutralisation reactions including an animation of the reaction between sodium hydroxide
solution and hydrochloric acid.

Forming salts by precipitation

http://preparatorychemistry.com/Bishop_precipitation_frames.htm
A very good Flash animation of a precipitation reaction to produce calcium carbonate. Make sure you read all the text
alongside the graphics.

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http://www.crescent.edu.sg/crezlab/Webpages/PptReaction4.htm#
A page that gives access to a short video clip of the precipitation of silver chloride, and an animation to explain it. The
animation isn't quite as clear as the previous one.

Chapter 6 Quantitative chemistry

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_aqa/chemcalc/chemcalcact.shtml
An introduction to chemical calculations and the ideas of mass and atomic number, isotopes, relative atomic mass and
the % mass of an element in a compound. Also introduces the mole.

Chapter 7 How far? How fast?

Rates of reaction
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_aqa/chemreac/rates.shtml
A clear, animated video clip on rates of reaction.
http://www.freezeray.com/flashFiles/RatesOfReactionSurfaceArea.swf
Gives a qualitative demonstration of how surface area affects the rate of reaction between a solid and a solution. Click
on any of the solids (large lumps, medium lumps or powder) to view the reaction in terms of the rate of gas
production. The program can be reset by clicking on the stopper.
http://www.freezeray.com/flashFiles/RatesOfReactionTemp.swf
Gives a qualitative demonstration of how temperature affects the rate of reaction. Adjust the temperature of the water
bath by rotating the dial. Clicking on the measuring cylinders starts the reaction. Reset by clicking the reset button on
the water bath.

Reversible reactions and dynamic equilibrium

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_aqa/chemreac/reversibleact.shtml
An excellent presentation on reversible reactions and energy changes in reactions. Discusses the idea of dynamic
equilibrium and the Haber process.
http://www.drkstreet.com/resources/habermovie.swf
An animation of the Haber Process and the effects of changing the conditions.
http://www.creative-chemistry.org.uk/funstuff/xword/rates.htm
Some crossword practice on rates and reversible reactions.

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Chapter 8 Patterns and properties of metals

Displacement reactions with metals the reactivity series
http://www.chem.iastate.edu/group/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/redox/home.html
Superb animations of metals reacting with salt solutions from Iowa State University.

Electrochemical cells
http://www.chem.iastate.edu/group/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/electroChem/voltaicCell20.html
An excellent visualisation of electrochemical cells gives a choice of metals and solutions and shows the movement of
ions and electrons in the circuit, together with the voltage produced by different combinations of metals.

Chapter 9 Industrial inorganic chemistry

An overview of industrial chemistry
http://www.rsc.org/education/teachers/learnnet/alchemy/index2.htm
A general and comprehensive resource from the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK) of videos and references on the
major industrial processes files can be downloaded to be worked with off-line.
Processes covered:
iron & steel
aluminium
refining of copper
ammonia (& nitric acid)
sulfuric acid
fractional distillation of gases from the air (Chapter 1)
fractional distillation of petroleum (oil refining) (Chapter 11)
poly(ethene) (Chapter 11)
nylon (Chapter 11).
This resource also relates to material covered in other chapters (as indicated).

Iron and steel making

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/victorians/launch_ani_blast_furnace.shtml
An animation of an original Industrial Revolution blast furnace of the type used at Ironbridge, as mentioned in this
chapter. The principles are the same as they are in the modern furnaces, though these are technically more
complicated, and designed to be more energy efficient and less polluting.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/ocr_gateway/rocks_metals/5_cars_for_scrapact.shtml
An overview of the uses of steel and aluminium, and importance of recycling
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The thermit reaction

http://www.weldprocedures.com/thermiterailwelding.html
Welding railway lines with the thermit reaction.

The Haber process

http://www.freezeray.com/flashFiles/theHaberProcess.htm
A simulation of the Haber process. The temperature and pressure can be varied and the effect on yield of ammonia
can be recorded. The simulation generates numbers that can be used to plot yield versus pressure or temperature
graphs. Press the start button and see how long it takes for the equilibrium reached button to light up. Then press
discharge to see what the percentage yield was. Change the conditions, and repeat.
http://www.creative-chemistry.org.uk/funstuff/xword/haber.htm
A crossword on the Haber process and nitric acid useful if you like crosswords!

Chapter 10 Organic chemistry

Alkanes
http://schools.matter.org.uk/alkane.htm
A limited test of your ability to name simple alkanes.

Esters
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/ocr_gateway/carbon_chem/3_smellsact.shtml
An interesting presentation on the distinctive properties of esters.
http://www.creative-chemistry.org.uk/funstuff/xword/organic.htm
A further crossword to help revise some key ideas of organic chemistry.

Chapter 11 Petrochemicals and polymers

Fractional distillation of petroleum (crude oil)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel/oneearth/fuelsact.shtml
Presentation on the fuels we obtain from crude oil, and fractional distillation of oil, including discussion of the
structure of alkanes.

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Addition and condensation polymers

http://www.tvo.org/iqm/plastic/animations.html#
Two simple animations comparing addition and condensation polymerisation. Here vinyl is vinyl chloride and the
polymer product is PVC.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/21c/materials/molecstructpropertiesact.shtml
A presentation on polymers from oil and their uses. Uses the term crude oil where the CIE IGCSE syllabus now uses
petroleum.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_ocr/biosphere/biologicalcompoundsact.shtml
An introduction to biologically important compounds, such as amino acids and proteins, simple sugars, carbohydrates
and fats. Also includes some reference to fossil fuels.

Chapter 12 Chemical analysis and investigation

Collection of gases and gas tests
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel/chemicalreactions/preparinggasesact.shtml
A presentation on the collection of gases, and gas tests for hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, ammonia and chlorine.

Analysis
http://www.freezeray.com/flashFiles/identifyingSalts.htm
A Flash animation on testing for the chlorides, bromides and iodides of the alkali metals. Use the dropper to add silver
nitrate solution to the solution in the tube, then move the solid sample to the flame. It is quite hard to distinguish
bromide and chloride (you need to look very closely at the colour of the precipitate).

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