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I suppose that long ago, before the education cuts, the cost of chemicals themselves for use in the science syllabus was a minor item, causing no feeling for conservation of stocks among staff. Now, sadly, the raw materials themselves are in shorter supply, and therefore an alternative would be welcomed by science staff. The micro offers one such viable alternative, and more regular and mundane tasks can now be simulated within it. The original experience of using the substances themselves, of course, is vital, but in revision it would be handly to be able to give the results of some of the standard tests without having to perform them. When it comes to exams, this is vital, and this program would come into its own on the family Electron, or on the school's BBC machine.

A salt is decided upon by the micro, and the student can then determine by the use of various standard tests (limewater, kindling a glowing splint etc) which compound it is. The element is first determined, and clues can be obtained such as the colour it burns in a flame. Once the answer is correctly given, the various salts of that element are considered. I didn't do tremendously well at Chemistry at school, although I reached the 'A'-level class, but I found myself quite taken with this program.

I couldn't discover any glaring errors, although I would hardly expect to find any in a Micro Power tape. I didn't remember there were quite so many permutations of salts, though, and I needed to resort to a pencil and paper on many occasions. Colour is used sparingly, but when needed, and there are no distracting raucous sounds. I feel it will sell well as exams loom nearer on the horizon!

Phil Taylor