Periodic Table Software: Great Idea for Chemistry Learners

Periodic Table is always needed for anybody who studies chemistry. If you are a Chemistry learner, you should check this "periodic-table" software out.

The newest software I can find is "Periodic Table 3.3" written by Paul Alan Freshney. You can download it here. It is compatible with all versions of Windows. "Periodic Table" has four different versions: mini edition, standard edition, extra edition and pocket PC edition. In this article, I will introduce you the extra edition of "Periodic Table".

After installing and activating "Periodic Table", you would realize there are seven different command buttons (Main, Graph, Search, Atomic Radius, Atomic Structure, Media and Docs). Nine cells with different color display elements like alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, noble gas, transition metal, non-metal... Try clicking each cell, you will see the information about each type of element. Here are the seven command buttons and its function:

1. Main: this button will provide you a common look of a periodic table (just like any printed periodic table on paper). The color of each element shows its properties (as mentioned above). The different from electronic version and paper version is in electronic version, when you click on any element, the information and illustrated image will appear on the left-side window. On right side of the window, you will see the physical state of the element in standard condition. It includes solid, liquid, gas, synthetic (elements that are synthesized) and dynamic (properties of each element upon the affect of heat).

2. Graph: display graph according to many category such as atomic weight, atomic radius, boiling point, freezing point...

3. Search: this tool help you to find element by typing in keyword or property of elements.

4. Atomic Radius: display the exact radius of each element.

5. Atomic Structure: this function is the most excited. It displays the structure of selected element animatedly.

6. Media: a library of illustrated image. You can find picture of each element, how an element look like when it is reacting with other and many more exciting pictures in here.

7. Docs: this is the information about each element and its percentage in the solar system.

I am a Chemistry student and I found that the electronic periodic table is extremely useful for learning. You can easily learn the trend and property of each ground, each period and each element in the whole table.