PDAs and LabWorks—A New Way to Make Chemical Measurements

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 7 Issue 3 (2002) pp 173-175

PDAs and LabWorks—A New Way to Make Chemical Measurements

James R. T. Bales, Matthew E. Morgan,* and Bradley A. Rueter

Department of Chemistry, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Received March 4, 2002. Accepted April 5, 2002

Published online: 3 May 2002

Abstract. Computer-controlled data acquisition is rapidly becoming the rule rather than the exception in general chemistry laboratories. The LabWorks learning system is one of many computer-controlled data acquisition interfaces that allow students to quickly obtain and analyze chemistry data. This article explains how communication is established between a personal digital assistant (PDA) and the LabWorks interface. This project continues work previously accomplished using an HP 48 calculator to communicate with the LabWorks interface. The PDA has more computing power, more storage ability, and the Windows CE operating system provides a more user-friendly interface than the handheld graphing calculator. Sample experimental data is provided as an example of how this LabWorks/Palm PC combination can be applied to inexpensively enhance laboratory learning.

Key Words: Computers in Chemistry; general chemistry; PDA, computer interface

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: matt.morgan@usafa.af.mil)

Article in PDF format (201 KB) HTML format