Chemistry of Cars
23 Classroom Resources
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Anode, Cathode, Electricity, Galvanic Cells, Renewable Energy | High School
Video: Hybrid and Electric Cars Video Mark as Favorite (11 Favorites)
This video explores the chemistry in the batteries that power hybrid and electric cars.
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Experimental Design, Observations, Physical Properties, Scientific Method | High School
Lesson Plan: Not Breaking Up is Hard to Do: the Properties of Glass Mark as Favorite (18 Favorites)
In this lesson students will learn about the properties of glass, and relate those properties to the new engineering design of glass in a car.
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Combustion, Exothermic & Endothermic, Heat, Heat of Combustion | Elementary School, High School, Middle School
Video: The Internal Combustion Engine Video Mark as Favorite (29 Favorites)
This video investigates both the mechanical and the chemical processes used in the internal combustion engine, as well as the history and evolution of the combustion engine.
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Activation Energy, Catalysts, Combustion, Oxidation, Redox Reaction, Reduction | Elementary School, High School, Middle School
Video: Catalytic Converters Video Mark as Favorite (31 Favorites)
This video investigates the role of a catalytic converter and its corresponding chemical reactions within a vehicle. Students will learn about both oxidation and reduction reactions and how they, in combination with a catalyst, can impact the molecules released in a car’s exhaust.
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Anode, Cathode, Electricity, Galvanic Cells, Heat, Renewable Energy | Elementary School, High School, Middle School
Video: Alternative Fuels Video Mark as Favorite (7 Favorites)
This video analyzes alternatives to petroleum based fossil fuels, such as biofuels and hydrogen fuel cells.
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Intermolecular Forces, Molecular Structure, Physical Properties, Polymers | High School
Lesson Plan: The Right Polymer for the Job Mark as Favorite (17 Favorites)
In this lesson students are introduced to polymeric materials by exploring polymers (mostly plastics) used in automobiles. Students will learn about the features that all polymeric materials have in common and the features that distinguish one polymer from another on the molecular level. Students will learn how the molecular differences translate into property differences. The selection of a polymer with the right properties for any particular application is of critical importance in an automobile.
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Chemical Bond, Chemical Change, Molecular Structure, Molecular Structure , Monomer, Monomer, Polymers, Polymers | Middle School
Lesson Plan: The Power of Polymers Mark as Favorite (7 Favorites)
In this lesson students will use lab activities and discussion to explore polymers and their use in 3D printing, with an emphasis on the benefits of 3D printing in automotive manufacturing.
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Error Analysis, Experimental Design, Graphing, Identifying an Unknown, Intermolecular Forces, Molecular Structure, Physical Properties, Scientific Method | High School
Lesson Plan: The Importance of Motor Oil Viscosity in Optimal Car Functioning Mark as Favorite (14 Favorites)
In this lesson students will determine how temperature affects viscosity and relate the data to the structure of motor oil and the optimal functioning of a car.
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Calorimetry, Colligative Properties, Concentration, Error Analysis, Freezing Point Depression, Heat, Solute & Solvent, Specific Heat, Temperature | High School
Lesson Plan: The Hot and Cold of it All Mark as Favorite (13 Favorites)
In this lesson students will analyze the effectiveness of different brands of antifreeze/coolants and their ability to protect an engine in cold climates. Students will conduct a lab investigation to examine the freezing point depression in samples that have been diluted with distilled water. Students will also determine the specific heat capacities of antifreeze/coolant products as compared to pure water and explain how it relates to thermal energy transfer in the internal combustion engine.
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Anode, Cathode, Electrons, Electron Transfer, Galvanic Cells, Half Reactions, Oxidation, Redox Reaction, Reduction | High School
Lesson Plan: How Fuel Cells Work Mark as Favorite (6 Favorites)
In this lesson students will investigate how fuel cells provide energy in modern cars. Students will have the opportunity to explore redox reactions, through both an online animation and a simulation in order to understand the potential of a fuel cell.
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Anode, Cathode, Dimensional Analysis, Electrons, Electron Transfer, Exothermic & Endothermic, Galvanic Cells, Gibb's Free Energy , Half Reactions, Oxidation, Redox Reaction, Reduction, Reduction Potentials, Spontaneous Reactions , Spontaneous vs. Non-spontaneous Reactions | High School
Lesson Plan: How Far Can We Go? Mark as Favorite (7 Favorites)
In this lesson students compare energy densities of lead acid and lithium ion batteries to understand the relationship between electrochemical cell potentials and utilization of stored chemical energy.
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Boiling Point, Distillation, Intermolecular Forces, Intermolecular Forces, Isomers, Isomers, Melting Point, Molecular Geometry, Molecular Structure, Molecular Structure , Phase Changes, Physical Properties, Separating Mixtures | High School
Lesson Plan: Structural Isomers Mark as Favorite (16 Favorites)
In this activity, students will use models to explore structural isomers, and create explanations for the impact of structure on intermolecular forces (London dispersion) and physical properties (boiling point).
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Experimental Design, History, Interdisciplinary, Molecular Structure, Physical Properties, Polymers, Scientific Method | High School
Lesson Plan: Give Your Car Some Bounce Mark as Favorite (3 Favorites)
In this lesson students will learn about polymerization, specifically as it pertains to rubber tires and other materials in a vehicle. Students will take on the role of an engineer, and will investigate physical properties of different polymers and/or elastomers to determine the best material to use for an assigned product.
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Colligative Properties, Density, Freezing Point, Freezing Point Depression, Intermolecular Forces, Intermolecular Forces, Mixtures, Mixtures, Phase Changes, Physical Properties, Polarity, Solubility | High School
Lesson Plan: Fuel Line Antifreeze Mark as Favorite (12 Favorites)
In this lesson students will explore the role of a gasoline additive, fuel line antifreeze (generally methanol or 2‑propanol), in reducing the potential of water to block fuel lines in freezing weather. Students will prepare test tube models of water-contaminated fuel tanks and explore the effect of adding different types of fuel line antifreeze. This lesson can be used to bolster concepts about miscibility, density, intermolecular forces, phase changes (freezing), and colligative properties (freezing point depression).
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Balancing Equations, Boiling Point, Cracking, Distillation, Intermolecular Forces, Intermolecular Forces, Observations, Physical Properties, Polarity, Separating Mixtures | High School
Lesson Plan: Fractional Distillation of Crude Oil Mark as Favorite (24 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will be introduced to simple distillation while expanding their knowledge of intermolecular forces. Once a simple distillation has been accomplished in the lab, students will then research the various products of fractional distillation of crude oil and report on one of those products.
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Balancing Equations, Combustion, Culminating Project, Dimensional Analysis, Heat of Combustion, Interdisciplinary, Stoichiometry | High School
Lesson Plan: Redesigning a Car for the Environment Mark as Favorite (26 Favorites)
Chemland’s city public transportation board has requested the class to help them determine the direction the city should move towards in reducing the carbon footprint. Students will be divided into groups and will come up with proposals of how to reduce the carbon footprint from carbon dioxide released from vehicles. The groups will represent different ways to reduce the carbon footprint via an alternative fuel source or a new technology. They will debate their findings to determine the direction that the city council should move towards to reduce the carbon footprint.
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Activity Series, Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Electrons, Electron Transfer, Galvanic Cells, Half Reactions, Observations, Oxidation, Redox Reaction, Reduction | High School
Lesson Plan: Exploring Automotive Corrosion Mark as Favorite (10 Favorites)
In this lesson students will investigate the galvanic corrosion that can occur when different metals come in contact with each other in modern cars.
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Chemical Properties, Physical Properties | High School
Lesson Plan: Engineering a Vehicle Mark as Favorite (6 Favorites)
In this lesson students will take on the role of a Ford Motor Company engineer and evaluate the potential use of carbon fiber technology for use in the automotive industry.
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Calorimetry, Exothermic & Endothermic, Experimental Design, Graphing, Heat, Scientific Method, Specific Heat, Temperature | High School
Lab: Cool Science: Building and Testing a Model Radiator Mark as Favorite (19 Favorites)
In this lab students construct a model of a car radiator to investigate parameters that lead to efficient cooling. Students investigate multiple variables as they experiment with various radiator designs. This lesson focuses on thermochemistry calculations and engineering practices.
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Anode, Cathode, Electricity, Electrons, Electrons, Electron Transfer, Energy & Thermodynamics, Law of Conservation of Energy, Subatomic Particles | Middle School
Lesson Plan: Battery Basics Mark as Favorite (11 Favorites)
In this lesson students will explore the chemical reaction that occurs within a lead-acid car battery and the role of the battery within a car prior to creating their own batteries.
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Balancing Equations, Catalysts, Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Dimensional Analysis, Error Analysis, Error Analysis, Experimental Design, Measurements, Percent Yield, Reaction Rate, Scientific Method, Stoichiometry | High School
Lesson Plan: Catalysis & Catalytic Converters Mark as Favorite (11 Favorites)
In this lesson students will be introduced to catalysts while expanding their knowledge of chemical reactions and stoichiometry. They will first learn about catalytic converters and then be challenged to create the best “catalytic converter” of hydrogen peroxide to oxygen gas in an inquiry-based activity.
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Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Combustion, Distillation, Enthalpy, Interdisciplinary, Molecular Structure, Molecular Structure , Renewable Energy, Stoichiometry | High School
Lesson Plan: Biofuels of the Future Mark as Favorite (11 Favorites)
In this lesson students will explore the world of automobile alternative energy sources through the study of biofuels. They will design and create an e-book that illustrates and explains one of the provided topics or an original idea approved by the teacher.
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Gas Laws, Ideal Gas, Interdisciplinary, Pressure, Stoichiometry, Temperature, Volume | High School
Lesson Plan: Mechanisms and Properties of Airbags Mark as Favorite (31 Favorites)
In this lesson students will learn about the mechanisms and properties of airbags, and examine the choice of airbag inflator from several points of view.