Standard Level · chemistry-sl · Interactive simulations
IB Chemistry SL Simulation Lab
29 unique simulations18 lessons2 sources
Every simulation here runs the real model — the applets a teacher would put on the board, from PhET and GeoGebra, not a video of one. Pick a topic, open a card inside its lesson to run it next to the notes, or jump straight to the source. A simulation that fits several lessons is listed under each of them (41 cards in all). Back to the IB Chemistry SL course →
S1 · Models of the particulate nature of matter
- PhETIn the lesson
States of Matter: Basics
Heat or cool neon, argon, oxygen or water and watch particle spacing and motion change as it passes between solid, liquid and gas.
- PhETIB S1.1
Gas Properties
Pump heavy and light particles into a box, heat or cool them and compare histograms of their speeds and kinetic energies.
- PhETIB S1.1
Diffusion
Set the number, mass and temperature of particles on each side of a divided box, then remove the divider.
S1.2The nuclear atom
3 sims- PhETIn the lesson
Build an Atom
Add protons, neutrons and electrons: protons set the element, neutrons change the mass number, and unequal electrons make an ion.
- PhETIB S1.2
Isotopes and Atomic Mass
Mix isotopes of an element in any proportion and read the percentage of each alongside the average atomic mass.
- PhETIB S1.2
Rutherford Scattering
Fire alpha particles at an atom, then change their energy and the number of protons in the nucleus.
S1.3Electron configurations
2 sims- PhETIn the lesson
Models of the Hydrogen Atom
Shine white light on hydrogen in the Bohr model and open the spectrometer: only certain photons come out, one line for each jump between energy levels.
- GeoGebraIB S1.3
Aufbau diagrams
Energy levels for every subshell: slide the atomic number and the electrons fill the orbitals one at a time.
S1.4Counting particles by mass: the mole
2 sims- PhETIB S1.4
Molarity
Set the amount of solute in moles and the volume of solution, and read the concentration.
- PhETIB S1.4
Reactants, Products and Leftovers
Choose amounts of two reactants and see how much product forms and what is left over.
S1.5Ideal gases
3 sims- PhETIn the lesson
Gas Properties
Hold temperature constant and halve the volume: pressure doubles. Hold volume constant and heat the gas: pressure rises in step with kelvin temperature.
- PhETIB S1.5
States of Matter
Squeeze and cool a gas of real particles under a movable lid until attractions make it condense.
- GeoGebraIB S1.5
Isothermal p–V curve
A pressure–volume curve for a fixed amount of gas at constant temperature: set T and the two volumes.
S2 · Models of bonding and structure
S2.1The ionic model
3 sims- PhETIn the lesson
Build an Atom
Build lithium and remove one electron: 3 protons and 2 electrons make Li⁺ with helium’s arrangement. Give fluorine one more for F⁻.
- PhETIB S2.1
Coulomb’s Law
Set two charges on the atomic scale and drag them closer or further apart; the force between them updates live.
- PhETIB S2.1
Sugar and Salt Solutions
Shake salt or sugar into water, test the solution with a conductivity probe, then zoom in to the particles.
S2.2The covalent model
4 sims- PhETIn the lesson
Build a Molecule
Snap atoms together to make H₂O, CO₂, N₂ and NH₃, then open the 3D view: every bond is a shared pair holding two nuclei together.
- PhETIB S2.2
Molecule Shapes
Add bonding pairs and lone pairs to a central atom and watch the geometry rearrange; compare with real molecules.
- PhETIB S2.2
Molecule Polarity
Change electronegativities in two- and three-atom molecules and see bond dipoles add up to a molecular dipole — or cancel.
- PhETIB S2.2
States of Matter
Heat or cool samples of neon, argon, oxygen or water and watch them melt and boil against a thermometer.
S2.4From models to materials
1 sim- PhETIn the lesson
Molecule Polarity
On Two Atoms show Bond Character and widen the electronegativity gap: the bond slides from covalent towards ionic.
S3 · Classification of matter
- GeoGebraIB S3.1
Aufbau diagrams
Energy levels for every subshell: slide the atomic number and the electrons fill the orbitals one at a time.
- PhETIB S3.2
Build a Molecule
Snap C, H and O atoms together into molecules; the sim names what you have built and shows it in 3D.
R1 · What drives chemical reactions?
R1.1Measuring enthalpy changes
2 sims- GeoGebraIB R1.1
Exothermic reaction profile
An energy profile for a reversible exothermic reaction, showing reactant, product and peak energy levels with Eₐ and ΔH.
- PhETIB R1.1
Atomic Interactions
Drag one atom towards another and follow the potential-energy curve as a bond forms or is pulled apart.
R1.3Energy from fuels
3 sims- PhETIB R1.3
Greenhouse Effect
Change the greenhouse-gas concentration and watch infrared radiation being absorbed and re-emitted as the surface temperature responds.
- PhETIB R1.3
Molecules and Light
Fire microwave, infrared, visible or ultraviolet photons at single molecules and watch what each does.
- PhETIB R1.3
Balancing Chemical Equations
Adjust coefficients until the atoms on each side match; bar charts or balance scales show what is off.
R2 · How much, how fast and how far?
R2.1How much? The amount of chemical change
3 sims- PhETIn the lesson
Reactants, Products and Leftovers
On Molecules choose Make Ammonia, set the amounts of N₂ and H₂ and predict the leftovers before you look.
- PhETIB R2.1
Balancing Chemical Equations
Adjust coefficients until the atoms on each side match; bar charts or balance scales show what is off.
- PhETIB R2.1
Molarity
Set the amount of solute in moles and the volume of solution, and read the concentration.
R2.2How fast? The rate of chemical change
4 sims- PhETIn the lesson
Reactions & Rates
On the Many Collisions tab, raise the temperature: more collisions clear the activation-energy barrier, so product forms faster.
- PhETIB R2.2
Gas Properties
Pump gas into a box, heat or cool it, and watch live histograms of molecular speed and kinetic energy.
- GeoGebraIB R2.2
Reaction profile with a catalyst
An energy profile for an exothermic reaction with a catalysed route you can switch on and off.
- GeoGebraIB R2.2
Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution
The Maxwell–Boltzmann curve with sliders for temperature and molecular mass, and a marker you slide along the speed axis.
- PhETIB R2.3
Reversible Reactions
A box of A and B molecules that keep turning into each other: add molecules or heat the box and watch the counts.
R3 · What are the mechanisms of chemical change?
R3.1Proton transfer reactions
3 sims- PhETIn the lesson
Acid-Base Solutions
Compare a strong and a weak acid at the same concentration: the weak acid stays mostly as HA molecules, so its pH is higher and it conducts less.
- PhETIB R3.1
pH Scale
Test everyday liquids with a pH probe, dilute them with water and compare their H₃O⁺ and OH⁻ concentrations.
- GeoGebraIB R3.1
Weak acid–strong base titration curve
A pH curve for a weak acid titrated with a strong base, with sliders for the acid volume, both concentrations and Ka.
R3.3Electron sharing reactions
1 sim- PhETIB R3.3
Molecules and Light
Fire microwave, infrared, visible or ultraviolet photons at single molecules and watch what each does.
R3.4Electron-pair sharing reactions
1 sim- PhETIB R3.4
Molecule Polarity
Switch on bond dipoles and partial charges for real molecules, or set the electronegativity of two bonded atoms yourself.
Each simulation stays the property of its source and is credited on the card inside the lesson. Back to the IB Chemistry SL course →