| Product Name: |
Gassim |
| Level: |
Second Year Tertiary / Third Year Tertiary |
| Platform: |
PC - Windows® |
| Supplied Information: |
Gassim is a molecular dynamics simulation program for demonstrating aspects of kinetic theory and statistical mechanics. |
| Possible Use: |
This product is suitable for Second Year Tertiary / Third Year Tertiary courses for use by students in laboratory classes. |
| Price: |
$30 (single user), $75 (site license) |
| Developer/s: |
Dr Ian Moore |
| Review: |
Gassim is a molecular dynamics simulation program that allows the user to construct typical 2D particle in a box simulations, providing a graphical display of particle positions and time series graphs of useful thermodynamic data. In the full version, simulation parameters can be saved to disk, and data can be copied to the clipboard for transfer to spreadsheet or other applications. About 20 sets of initial parameters are supplied. Molecular dynamics simulations are notoriously greedy of computer resources. Gassim has been well optimised to run reasonably fast (with a math coprocessor), an important consideration if the program is used for demonstrations. One reason why Gassim can run quickly is that the molecules interact as hard spheres, so no long range potentials are calculated. As a result, any properties of systems which rely on conversion between potential and kinetic energies (such as adiabatic cooling) cannot be displayed. Gassim comes with a tutorial showing how to set simulation parameters, how to select options and how to run the program. In addition, a Help file provides additional information on settings and display options. The tutorial and the help file allow a new user to learn quickly how to drive the program. While the meaning of dialog box buttons and choices is not always immediately clear, a little trial and error will usually lead to the desired display. The standard Windows interface makes navigation arount the program straightforward. Many options are available, e.g. one or two species of molecule, initial velocity distributions and positions, various boundary conditions (solid walls, etc.) Time series graphs of velocity, energy or other distributions can be displayed. The graphs can be updated continuously, or at the users request. While the documentation for the program itself is good, no material on kinetic theory is supplied. This means that a reasonable knowledge of kinetic theory will be needed both in order to construct useful simulations and to be able to select useful data sets for interpreting the simulation results. If Gassim is to be used for teaching lower level undergraduates or high school pupils, the program is best suited for demonstrations. The addition of supplimentary notes and exercises would be very useful to enable students to use the program effectively. A site licence for Gassim is relatively inexpensive. Chemistry and physics departments should find it a useful addition to their repertoire of lecture demonstration materials. |
|
Dr Michael Oldfield, School of Physics, University of Sydney, mao@physics.usyd.edu.au |
| |
| Supplier: |
IME Software, PO Box 1133 Toowong QLD 4066 |
|
imesoft@ozemail.com.au |
|
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~imesoft |
| Date Record Last Modified: |
12/6/97 |
