April 1, 2016 (Vol. 36, No. 7)
Rating:
Strong Points: Easy to use, works well
Weak Points: Not many features, very simple
Platform:
iPad/iPhone
Cost:
Free
Summary:
The LabCal app is the simplest (and cheapest) member of the LabCal family of calculator apps by SciCal. As such, it is a very straightforward app that provides tools for making solutions in the lab. The molarity calculator allows users to quickly calculate molecular weight, volume, mass, or molarity based on user-entered values for the three known quantities. (Users can easily select the unknown variable from options at the bottom of the screen.) A second calculator in the app quickly converts between moles and mass. Finally, the third component of the app is a dilution calculator for researchers who don’t want to bother with M1V1=M2V2 mental math (and also for those people who don’t remember that equation from general chemistry). The app works well and is easy to use, though users looking for greater functionality may opt for one of the other LabCal apps.