VIRTUAL PHYSICAL SCIENCES LABORATORY

This is a web-based innovative tool aimed towards learning experimental methods in physical sciences. Scientific learning is primarily experimental. Observations made on natural processes are tabulated, analysed and quantified. Based on these, conceptual models with predictive abilities are developed to investigate mechanisms underlying the observed phenomena. Obviously there is a wide choice available in design of experiments. Here in the virtual lab (VL) we have combined the feel of the actual experiment together with an attempt to teach the concepts behind the experiment. We have provided introductory material in audio/video format as well as texts as user manuals. Our desire is to convey elements of scientific methodology to the students. This VL consists of a diverse set of experiments usually taught at the initial stages of undergraduate learning in physical sciences. Access to this VL empowers the less privileged students in remote areas or in locations not equipped with expensive equipment to experience the thrill of scientific experimentation. Needless to say, this effort needs improvements and feedback from the users is welcome. There is a feedback questionnaire with every experiment that the students and teachers are encouraged to fill up.
* We acknowledge help from the UGC supported Network Program of the
*Department of Chemistry, University of Hyderabad , in preparing the supplementary realistic video-recorded scenario of the laboratory in some experiments.

Molecules make up most of visible matter of the universe, and the forces governing them are mostly electromagnetic in nature. Dipole moment is one of the characteristic of molecules which provides a clue to understanding such forces. Here we will look into the nature of dipole moment and how to measure it.

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Electron is the smallest particle of nature, and it carries the smallest unit of electrical charge. In 1909 Robert Millikan first performed an ingenious experiment to measure the charge of a single electron. Let us see how it can be done.

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Some metals when exposed to light emit electrons. This phenomenon is one of those which led to the quantum revolution and Einstein got the Noble Prize in 1921. Let us try to understand what actually happens.

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In the presence of acid, sucrose breaks down into D-glucose D-fructose. Both of the sugars are optically active. The kinetics of this reaction can be studied by measurement of optical rotation.

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Thermochemistry is the study of the energy changes taking place during chemical reactions. Every substance contains stored chemical energy, called enthalpy, mainly by virtue of chemical bonds. Absolute enthalpy is hard to measure, but enthalpy changes during reactions are easy to measure because there will be an observable energy exchange between the chemicals and the surroundings.

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An acid-base indicator is a substance which changes its color at the point of neutralisation of an acid base indicators. There are several different types of indicators. Here we will study how the color changes for several indicators in different types of environments.

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