Chemistry is a science that operates at many levels, including the invisible molecular level. Over the years chemists have devised ever more useful and complex representations of molecular-level structures and interactions. The introduction of computers in the latter half of the twentieth century led to the development of powerful visualization and modeling tools that have enhanced chemistry research capabilities. These techniques allowed more accurate and informative images of the molecular level to be generated for use in education and animations were developed to show how atoms and molecules interact. At the ACS Examinations Institute Dwaine Eubanks led some of the earliest efforts to enhance assessment of conceptual understanding through the use of visualizations. Because scientific visualizations and animations can be complex and difficult to understand, multidisciplinary teams are now studying how the use of visualization techniques in the teaching of chemistry can be optimized. These collaborations are revealing how students perceive and interpret various kinds of molecular animations and are showing how best to develop and use static graphics and dynamic visualizations for the learning of chemistry.

Visualization: The key to understanding chemistry concepts

249th National Meeting (2015)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.