VSEPRplex description
VSEPRplex is a 3-D molecular modeling set that allows students to build their own molecules, atom by atom

VSEPRplex (pronounced "ves-per-plex") is an interactive chemistry application that helps students visualize and understand molecular geometry. While building and exploring their own 3-D structures, students encounter the shapes and properties of small covalent molecules. VSEPRplex was designed for use in senior high school and college chemistry courses.

The importance of molecular shape in defining many of the properties of the physical world cannot be overstated. The very existence of life on this planet is deeply connected to the geometry of simple water molecules. Because of their mathematical nature, the shapes of molecules are difficult to understand for many students.

Traditional teaching aids are inadequate because they cannot fully convey the concept of three-dimensional bonding. Blackboard sketches are ineffective because it is difficult to illustrate proportions and perspective accurately in just two dimensions. Physical modeling sets are an improvement, but they limit the number of molecules that can be assembled. Such sets also typically compromise or forfeit important physical properties such as bond angles and distances and atomic radii.

Due to such limitations, many students leave introductory chemistry studies without a thorough understanding of molecular shape. This shortcoming is unfortunate, since molecular shape underlies many chemical and physical properties of matter.

VSEPRplex is a 3-D molecular modeling set that allows students to build their own molecules, atom by atom. This software takes an interactive, visual approach to chemistry. VSEPRplex will help students develop a deeper intuition for the shapes of small covalent molecules. Students will gain a better understanding of the chemistry behind the images. By building and exploring their own molecules with VSEPRplex, students encounter the core concepts in VSEPR theory.

VSEPRplex was designed for use in senior high school and college chemistry studies. The software offers interactive real-time 3-D rotations; display of element attributes and structural calculations; skeletal, Lewis, wireframe and space-filling models; and a point-and-click periodic table. Online help, tutorials and a fundamental structures chart are provided to help teachers integrate the software into their curriculum.

With VSEPRplex, students can now explore the shapes and properties of small covalent molecules using only their computer, Living Graph Paper and their imagination.

Here are some key features of "VSEPRplex":

· Point-and-click periodic table
· Display of element attributes and structural calculations
· Skeletal, Lewis, wireframe and space-filling models
· Interactive real-time 3-D rotations
· Online help, tutorial and fundamental structures chart