Another sub-microscopic experience for chemistry learners is now available on theVR Chemistry Lab for Meta Quest! The final version of of the molecular interactions that create the different colored flames is out and ready to be tested. This experience allows the player to act as the fire itself, energizing electrons to jump to higher energy levels. Then it shows the process of electrons descending back to a stable energy level while giving off a specific frequency of light. The speed of the interaction is slowed down and narrated so players can understand what is happening. If they missed something the first time, they can send some fire back at the atom and do it all over again!
This sub-micro experience for the Rainbow Flame Lab was designed with the learner in mind. Gestures and actions were thoughtfully planned based on embodied cognition theory. The 3D visualization of the atom and its parts is a scaffold for learners to model normally invisible objects and concepts. VR is an excellent tool for enabling this type of exposure for learners.
Ideally, a student would conduct the macro-level “Rainbow Flame Lab” in the app and then proceed to the sub-micro experience to reinforce the underlying concepts that they just observed. Conversely, conducting the sub-micro experience prior to the macro-level lab could act as a helpful “pre-lab” exercise to prime the student.
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