If the guess placed in an unknown site in the formula, it is immediately entered. Note that if it is a coefficient of 1, the question mark will simply disappear - 1's don't appear in chemical formulas.
If it's wrong, there is appropriate feedback as follows.
Wrong number guess. The feedback is simple. One is told whether the correct number is larger or smaller.
Wrong element guess. The feedback is progressive, and its sequence and significance are worth remembering. Feedback is given in the following priority sequence.
1. If the element guessed is present elsewhere in the formula, you are told so (but not where it is).
2. If it's in the same group as your guess, you are so told.
3. If neither of the above obtains, you are told whether the element sought is a metal, nonmetal, semimetal or transition element. Note that the zinc group elements are not considered to be transition elements, since their chemistry rarely involves d electrons.
4. If the above feedback has already been given, you get increasingly specific information about the element sought, based on its properties. Most of these properties can be found in the option called "ELEMENTS".
The hierarchy of feedback automatically matches the difficulty of the game to the skill of the player. A novice who uses many guesses will see a lot of detailed element feedback and incidentally learn quite a lot of descriptive chemistry.
At the end of the game reasonably high scores are rewarded by congratulatory light shows. Exceptional scores (95 and up in the Nomenclature Game, 90 and up in the Formula Game) get fanfares
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Updated July 18, 2000