Making Chemical Measurements Using the LabWorks Interface and a Handheld Graphing Calculator

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 3 Issue 5 (1998), S1430-4171(98)05253-6

Making Chemical Measurements Using the LabWorks Interface and a Handheld Graphing Calculator

Matthew E. Morgan* and John R. Amend

Department of Chemistry, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University – Bozeman, Bozeman, MT 59717

Published online: 1 October 1998

Abstract. The LabWorks learning system is a computer- controlled data acquisition interface that allows students to quickly obtain and analyze chemistry data. This article describes how the LabWorks interface can be controlled with an HP 48G hand-held calculator rather than a personal computer. The calculator provides users with the same automated data acquisition as if a computer were controlling the interface, but it costs less and requires less maintenance and laboratory bench space. The types of measurements made by the system are discussed and a sample experiment described. Student data and comments are also presented.

Key Words: Computers in Chemistry; general chemistry; laboratory; computers; physical chemistry; gases; calculators

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: morganme.dfc.usafa@usafa.af.mil)

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