PDAs and Lab Works—A New Way to Make Chemical Measurements

Computer-controlled data acquisition is rapidly becoming the rule rather than the exception in general chemistry laboratories. The LabWorks learning system is one of many computer-controlled data acquisition interfaces that allow students to quickly obtain and analyze chemistry data. This article explains how communication is established between a personal digital assistant (PDA) and the LabWorks interface. This project continues work previously accomplished using an HP 48 calculator to communicate with the LabWorks interface. The PDA has more computing power, more storage ability, and the Windows CE operating system provides a more user-friendly interface than the handheld graphing calculator. Sample experimental data is provided as an example of how this LabWorks/Palm PC combination can be applied to inexpensively enhance laboratory learning.