The essential features of the laboratory are described as follows:

  • Back. Clicking the back button exits the laboratory and returns the user to the portal.
  • Live Data. Clicking on the live data tab displays to the user any relevant data pertaining to instruments being used at the time. The live data tab will be blank if no relevant data is available. Users can click on the various buttons in the live data tab to save data, manipulate the instruments, and adjust parameters. Any data saved is automatically sent to the lab notebook. 
  • Stockroom. Clicking on the stockroom tab brings the user to the stockroom view. While in the stockroom tab, acid-base or potentiometric reagents can be selected from the stockroom and placed on the counter. Note that for acid-base titrations, any combination of acids and bases (including acid-acid and base-base combinations) can be selected for a titration experiment, and an inert salt can also be selected to study the effect of inert ions on the pH of the solution. 
  • Unknowns. Practice unknowns can be created from the unknown tab. If an unknown is assigned, it will also show up in this tab.
  • Lab Book. The lab book is used to record procedures and observations while performing experiments in the virtual laboratory. Data from the experiments can also be saved as links in the lab book where it can then be copied and pasted into an external spreadsheet program for further analysis. Any data saved in the lab book is immutable and cannot be changed. All entires are timestamped. The lab book can also be exported as a PDF. 
  • Presets.  The presets tab has two sections. The first, Lab Presets, are presets created by Beyond Labz that correlate to activities designed by Beyond Labz. The second, My Saved Lab, will contain a list of the users saved lab states. 
  • Save Lab.  Clicking this button will add the lab in its current state to the users saved labs. The list of saved labs can be access from the presets tab.
  • Disposal Bucket.  The disposal bucket is used to discard beakers and the contents of graduated cylinders. Clicking on the disposal bucket will clear the entire laboratory. Clicking on the Clear Lab button will also clear the entire laboratory.
  • Indicator Chart.  The indicator chart shows the color of each available indicator as a function of pH. Clicking on the chart brings up a new window with the indicator chart enlarged for easy viewing.
  • LED Display. The LED display is used to display the temperature in the laboratory and the current barometric pressure. The temperature or pressure is selected by clicking on the appropriate label on the LED display. Note that the laboratory temperature is fixed at 25°C but the barometric pressure will change daily. The temperature and pressure are necessary for buoyancy corrections.
  • Graduated Cylinders.  There are four graduated cylinders (5, 10, 25, and 50 mL), and they are used to measure volumes of reagents and water with intermediate accuracy and reproducibility.
  • Water Bottle.  The water bottle is used to add approximately 1 mL of water to a beaker or graduated cylinder.
  • Distilled Water.  Distilled water can be added to beakers and graduated cylinders by dragging the beaker or graduated cylinder to the sink underneath the distilled water faucet (the faucet closest to the wall). Distilled water is added as long as the beaker or graduated cylinder is kept in the sink.
  • Indicators.  For acid-base experiments, eight indicators are available on the lab bench. Colors for each indicator as a function of pH are shown on the indicator chart. An indicator can only be added to a beaker while it is on the stir plate and only one indicator can be added. An indicator is added by either dragging the dropper to the beaker on the stir plate or double-clicking on the selected indicator.
  • pH Standards. The pH 4 and pH 10 buffer standards are used to calibrate the pH meter before measuring the pH of a solution. The calibration is accomplished by dragging the pH probe to one of the buffer solutions and then clicking the appropriate pH button on the Live Data tab (after the pH meter has been turned on). A pH meter calibration requires both the pH 4 and pH 10 standards.
  • Meters.  The pH meter and conductivity meter are used to measure and monitor the pH and conductivity of the solution on the stir plate. For potentiometric experiments, the pH meter turns into a voltmeter. Probes for the two meters are kept in the rack to the left of the meters, and the probes can be dragged and then placed in the beaker on the stir plate. Note that the pH meter must be calibrated with the pH 4 and pH 10 standard buffer solutions before obtaining meaningful results. The meters are turned on by clicking on the red/green lights on the meters (or the switch in the Live Data tab), which will, in turn, open windows in the Live Data tab for each meter. These windows are used to display the readings for each meter and to save the data to the lab book.
  • Stir Plate.  The stir plate is used to stir the analyte solution during the titration. Stirring is turned on by clicking on the front dial. A red light illuminates when stirring is on.
  • Buret.  The buret is used to deliver known volumes during the course of a titration. Solutions are added to the buret by dragging the solution (either in a beaker or in a reagent bottle) to the buret and holding while the solution is poured in. The stopcock has four available delivery rates and is operated by clicking and dragging on the handle or by single-clicking on one end of the stopcock. The stopcock can be closed quickly by double-clicking on the center of the stopcock. Clicking on the buret will open a window in the Live Data tab showing a close-up of the meniscus in the buret.
  • Pipets.  Pipets are used to deliver fixed volumes with high accuracy and reproducibility. A pipet is placed on the ring stand by dragging a pipet from the drawer or by double clicking on a pipet. A pipet is filled by placing a beaker contain the solution underneath the pipet and then clicking on the pipet bulb to suck up the solution into the pipet. The solution in the pipet is delivered by clicking on the pipet bulb.
  • Beakers.  Needed beakers for any experiment are obtained by clicking and dragging from the beaker drawer or by double-clicking on a beaker in the drawer. Beakers may be placed in the balance area, on the stir plate, or on either side of the stir plate. Water can be added to a beaker by dragging it to the sink and placing it under the distilled water faucet. Solutions are added to beakers by dragging the bottle, another beaker, or a graduated cylinder to the beaker and holding while the solution is poured out.
  • Reagent Bottles.  Reagent bottles from the stockroom are place on the counter and can be dragged from the counter and placed on the laboratory bench next to the lab book. Solutions from these bottles can be poured into beakers, the buret, or graduated cylinders by dragging the bottle to the desired location and then holding while the solution pours out.
  • Balance Area.  Clicking on the analytical balance will open the balance area window. Solids can be scooped out of the reagent bottle and then placed on weighing paper or in a beaker for weighing. Solutions can also be weighed on the analytical balance. Items to be weighed must be placed in the balance area before zooming in. The operation of the analytical balance is similar to those found in typical instructional laboratories. Clicking on the X in the upper right corner will return the user back to the main laboratory view.
  • Bell.  The bell located on the stockroom counter is used to open the Beyond Labz support page.