If I recall, it was called ActivChem. It would have been contemporary around the 2000s. Basically, you could drop any atom into the workspace, use an eyedropper on it, and drop it into any valid vessel. And if you turned on atomic simulations, they'd bond and join even if their wasn't a chemical in the catalogue associated with it. (This would prevent you from dropping them into equipment.)

One major thing I remember is that it was surprisingly easy to break equipment; and this was a simulated aspect. Get a container filled with water and put a volatile chemical into it? BOOM. The glass breaks. Overheat a chemical well beyond any sensible measure and don't let the pressure escape? Cork flies off, then BOOM.

I mostly want to verify that I got the name right, and that some record of it exists. I'm sure trivial middle school chemistry lab software is lost to time.

https://www.pearson.com/us/higher-education/program/Reeves-Activ-Chemistry-CD-ROM-Version-1-5/PGM271894.html?tab=contents

Time is about right. Name is about right. Level of education is wrong.
I can't find details of the simulation side of things.

https://portfolium.com/entry/activchemistry-chemistry-simulation-lessons
Here is evidence of a high school level version, with helpful exploding simulation.

https://studylib.net/doc/25540649/educational-games-and-simulation-technol
specifically slides 8-10
shows another screenshot and emphasises dangerous experiments. No mention of consequences though.

Thanks. Didn't realize there was a Macintosh version of it, neat. But that's exactly the program. This'll help fill a sense of nostalgia and fondness.

Unless you stick it in a tank of mineral oil.*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-cjF1ZqIsw


* Strangely unavailable in normal chemists here.

Destilled water may work too.

Crap I should actually duckduckgo if destilled water is conductive at "normal" voltages before posting.

Of course not. But you gotta melt that gold down somehow.