3D molecule visualization and animations - Jmol
There are several programs available for three-dimensional observation and study of atomic models, which can be accessed via computer, mobile devices, and even the internet. Some are free, others offer free trials, and others are paid.
Here is a short list:
Pymol, Maestro, iMolView, VMD, MolView, ChemSketch, and Jmol
Among these, Jmol is a multiplatform program (Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Unix) developed in Java, which can be run either as a standalone computer program or in a browser. Unlike common programs, the computer version does not require installation, only the execution of a Java file.
Thus, Jmol can run either from a directory folder containing its files or from a hard drive or removable media (USB flash drive). In addition, it is a free source code and distribution program for representing three-dimensional molecular models, allowing a variety of views and colors, translation and rotation of molecules, visual magnification, calculations of distance, angles, structures, and surfaces, molecular optimizations, and animations, among others. There are a large number of websites that use Jmol, starting with the list available on the Wiki community page (http://wiki.jmol.org/index.php/Main_Page).
In addition, Jmol can be accessed via the internet, without the need for files on your computer. Among the various websites that have the JSmol applet that allows this access, we suggest clicking on the image below, which will direct you to the applet on the St. Olaf College website (https://chemapps.stolaf.edu/jmol/jmol.php?), illustrating a water molecule:
Watch this short VIDEO to see JSmol online in action!
Jmol in Primary Education
The following material aims to encourage the use of Jmol for interactive visualization and study of molecules in primary education. As an aid, images extracted from the notebooks of MAPA (Educational Support Material for Learning in Minas Gerais will be used.
