Using Android-Based Equation Plotters as Supporting Tools for Teaching and Learning Atomic Orbitals

Abstract

Chemistry undergraduate students are required to master the theory of quantum mechanics as the basic requirement to study the properties of the submicroscopic particle. However, many studies showed the students’ difficulties to bring the quantum mechanical concept to the macroscopic world and vise-versa. The use of computer visualization tool will very useful for teaching and learning the quantum concept, especially electron and its related atomic orbitals. This technological report paper demonstrates some of the Android-based applications i.e FuncXY, TriPlot 3D Graphing, and Graphing calculator to effectively, quickly, and accurately convert wave functions into various hydrogen atomic orbital visualizations. By selecting spherical coordinate and entering wave equation, these smartphone graphical devices visualize three-dimensional atomic orbitals. Users are also easy to rotate, zoom and manipulate the object. Finally, these user-friendly plotters are very recommended to assist chemistry educators in teaching quantum mechanics.

Pelatihan Pemanfaatan Perangkat Lunak Kimia Berbasis Gawai sebagai Media Pembelajaran

“…Dengan perkembangannya yang sangat pesat dan portabel, beberapa aplikasi berbasis gawai untuk memvisualisasikan konsep-konsep kimia yang abstrak telah banyak dikenalkan, seperti (1) ikatan kimia: Molecular viewer 3D (Libman & Huang, 2013), ChemEd (Naik, 2017), 3D Molecules Edit & Test (Naik, 2017); (2) representasi molekular: ChemDoodle Mobile (Libman & Huang, 2013), Atomdroid (Feldt, Mata, & Dieterich, 2012;Libman & Huang, 2013;Naik, 2017); serta (3) orbital atom: FuncXY, TriPlot 3D Graphing, dan Graphing Calculator (Tania & Saputra, 2018). Menurut Naik (2017), pembelajaran berbasis aplikasi gawai menciptakan peluang untuk kegiatan kolaboratif di antara siswa, yang mengarah pada pengembangan kerja tim dan keterampilan sosial.…”