Thermal perception method of virtual chemistry experiments

Abstract

Background: With the aim of addressing the difficulty in identifying temperatures in virtual chemistry experiments, we propose a temperature-sensing simulation method of virtual chemistry experiments. Methods: We construct a virtual chemistry experiment temperature simulation platform, based on which a wearable temperature generation device is developed. The typical middle school virtual experiments of concentrated sulfuric acid dilution and ammonium nitrate dissolution are conducted to verify the actual effect of the device. Results: The platform is capable to indicate near real-world experimental situations. The performance of the device not only meets the temperature sensing characteristics of human skin, but also matches the temperature change of virtual chemistry experiments in real-time. Conclusions: It is demonstrated that this temperature-sensing simulation method can represent exothermic or endothermic chemistry experiments, which is beneficial for students to gain understanding of the principles of thermal energy transformation in chemical reactions, thus avoiding the danger that may be posed in the course of traditional teaching of chemistry experiments effectively. Although this methoddoes not have a convenient enough operation for users, the immersion of virtual chemical experiments can be enhanced.

Keywords

• Virtual reality
• Chemistry experiment
• Thermal simulation
• Temperature feedback