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Overview

This interactive CD-ROM is designed to help pupils at key stages 3 and 4 with a number of important materials-related concepts in the national curriculum for science. It can be used by individual pupils, in small group teaching, or as a classroom demonstration.

Contents

The module is in two parts. The first is entitled What is the matter? and addresses the following topics:

• the difference between solids, liquids and gases
• the concept of density
• changes of state
• the difference between temperature and heat
• the meaning of absolute zero, and
• why a solid expands on heating.

The second part, The heart of the matter, introduces simple ideas of the atom and atomic bonding.  The student will learn:

• to distinguish between elements, compounds and mixtures
• to differentiate between ionic, covalent and metallic bonding
• some simple properties and uses of aluminium, copper and iron, and
• why thermal and electrical conductivity depends on bond type.

On every screen of the module there are activities for the student (which always provide feedback) and there are also many animations and thought-provoking questions.

In addition, the CD contains details of further resources to support the teaching of materials science and the names and addresses of many further and higher education establishments which offer degrees and diplomas and can give advice to teachers and students who wish to explore topics in materials science in more detail.

Recommended system specifications

PC: 486 DX66 processor or higher. 8 Mb RAM minimum. About 30Mb free hard disc space. Double speed CD-ROM drive or faster. VGA monitor at 640x480 pixels, 256 colours. Windows™ 3.1x or 95.

Macintosh: 68030, 68040 or PowerPC processor (modules are supplied optimised for both 68K and PowerPC systems). System 7.1 or greater. Colour monitor (at least 640x480 pixels, and 256 colours) CD-ROM drive. 8Mb RAM. About 40Mb free disc space for full installation of all modules with help files and Materials Science on CD-ROM glossary.

Ordering information

This CD-ROM is currently available from the Institute of Materials.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers in developing this title.