Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics

26 – 50 of 72 Classroom Resources

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  Classification of Reactions, Chemical Change, Catalysts, Observations | Middle School, High School

  Demonstration: Catalyst in Motion

  This demonstration allows students to visualize how a catalyst can impact a chemical reaction. Students will also identify the products of a decomposition reaction, as well as determine if the reaction was endothermic or exothermic based on their observations.

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  Separating Mixtures, Observations, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, Mixtures | Elementary School, Middle School

  Lesson Plan: Clean-Up Pond Pollution

  In this lesson, students will compare polluted and filtered water to observe how filtering can remove some kinds of pollutants. Students will also be asked to consider how people affect ecosystems and use the scientific method to conduct an experiment on polluted water.

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  Physical Properties, Observations | Middle School, High School

  Lab: Abe Goes Swimming

  In this lab, students will investigate surface tension by comparing the number of liquid drops of water and of alcohol that can be held on the surface of a penny. An optional opportunity to investigate surfactants is also provided.

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  Density, Physical Properties, Matter, Observations | Elementary School, Middle School

  Lab: Comparing Density of Liquids & Solids

  In this lab, students will measure mass and volume, calculate density, and compare the density of given liquids and solids, inferring what causes objects to sink or float in a given liquid. 3-48

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  Conservation of Mass, History, Observations, Measurements, SI Units | Elementary School, Middle School, High School

  Video: Antoine Lavoisier Video

  This video tells the story of Antoine Lavoisier who many consider to be the father or modern chemistry. Lavoisier discovered oxygen and hydrogen and first proposed the Law of Conservation of Mass.

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  History, Physical Properties, Observations, Model of the Atom | Elementary School, Middle School, High School

  Video: Ancient Chemistry Video

  This video traces the history of chemistry from the discovery of fire, through the various metal ages, and finally to the great philosophers.

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  Heat, Temperature, Specific Heat, Observations, Molecular Motion | High School, Middle School

  Activity: What Makes Something Feel Warm

  In this lesson students actively engage in thinking about energy issues in chemistry and the nature of energy (thermal) transfer. The idea that temperature is a measure of heat content will be challenged, and students will be given the opportunity to collect data that will allow them to clearly see that different materials transfer energy at different rates.

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  Temperature, Molecular Motion, Observations, Inferences | High School, Middle School

  Demonstration: What is Temperature?

  In this demonstration, students will observe food dye mixing with water at different temperatures.

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  Conservation of Mass, Exothermic & Endothermic, Chemical Change, Heat, Temperature, Observations, Chemical Change | High School, Middle School

  Lab: Kitchen Reaction

  In this lab students will observe an endothermic chemical reaction involving baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid). Students will investigate the signs a chemical reaction has occurred (gas production, change in temperature). Students will perform the lab in an open system so they can see the change of mass due to gas production. This lab is a lead into the topic of conservation of mass. After the lab is completed, the teacher should do a demonstration of the exothermic reaction Hydrogen peroxide and potassium iodide.

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  Elements, Model of the Atom, History, Introduction, Matter, Observations, Periodic Table, Culminating Project, Atoms | Middle School, High School

  Activity: Is a Picture Worth 1000 Words?

  In this activity, students will learn about early chemistry discoveries through a textbook reading as well as from a cartoon.

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  History, Interdisciplinary, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, Observations, Mixtures | Middle School, High School

  Lab: Top Secret

  In this lab, students will learn about the history of invisible ink and will have the opportunity to compare two types of homemade invisible ink recipes.

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  Density, Density, Chemical Change, Observations, Chemical Change, Combustion | Elementary School, Middle School

  Demonstration: Investigating Gas Density

  In this demonstration, students will observe a reaction between baking soda and vinegar in the presence of a burning candle. The initial environment has plenty of oxygen present in order to sustain the candle’s flame; however the reaction will produce carbon dioxide which will cause the lit candle to extinguish. Students will analyze the outcome and compare the presence of the gases in the container and make determinations about the densities of each.

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  Chemical Change, Phase Changes, Combustion, Observations | Elementary School, Middle School

  Demonstration: The Jumping Flame

  In this demonstration, students will observe that the vapor of an extinguished candle flame is ignitable.

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  Chemical Change, Physical Change, Separating Mixtures, Observations, Mixtures, Chemical Properties, Physical Properties, Experimental Design, Scientific Method | High School, Middle School

  Lab: Test Tube Separation

  In this lab, students will mix four substances in a test tube and recreate the original four layers through chemical and physical means.

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  Redox Reaction, Electron Transfer, Chemical Change, Observations, Experimental Design, Scientific Method | High School, Middle School

  Lab: Test Tube Geology

  In this lab, students will observe a reaction between an iron nail and copper(II) sulfate in a test tube over the course of several days, modeling how a similar reaction occurs to form copper deposits in the earth. Students will also modify the procedures to evaluate how changing a factor of their choice affects the results of the test tube reaction, introducing them to concepts of experimental design. It also introduces students to my version of the Science Writing Heuristic (SWH).

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  Observations, Separating Mixtures, Mixtures, Interdisciplinary, Physical Properties, Scientific Method | High School, Middle School

  Activity: How Do We Clean Up An Oil Spill

  In this activity, students simulate an oil spill and test different materials’ ability to “clean” the oil spill.

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  Combustion, Chemical Change, Catalysts, Acid Base Reactions, Chemical Change, Balancing Equations, Classification of Reactions, Observations, Chemical Change | High School, Middle School

  Demonstration: Stop & Go Gases

  In this demonstration, students will witness the ability of carbon dioxide to extinguish a flame and oxygen to feed a flame. They will also be introduced to the concept of catalysts. This demonstration could also be used as an opportunity to practice writing and balancing equations and classifying chemical reactions.

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  Reaction Rate, Chemical Change, Reaction Rate, Observations | Middle School, Elementary School, High School

  Demonstration: Simple Kinetics

  In this demonstration, students will see that different food dyes react with bleach at different rates.

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  Indicators, Acid Base Reactions, Chemical Change, Observations | High School, Elementary School, Middle School

  Demonstration: Secret Message

  In this lesson, students will observe a hidden message while understanding simple acid/base chemistry and indicators.

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  Polarity, Mixtures, Intermolecular Forces, Intermolecular Forces, Physical Properties, Observations, Mixtures | Middle School, Elementary School, High School

  Lab: Salad Dressing Science: Emulsions

  In this lab, students mix polar and nonpolar substances and then add various emulsifiers to encourage the mixing of the two substances. They use ingredients in salad dressing to relate science to real life scenarios.

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  Reaction Rate, Experimental Design, Scientific Method, Observations, Chemical Change | High School, Middle School

  Lab: Reaction Rate

  In this lab, students will explore factors that effect reaction rate and develop a general statement that describes how the factors (temperature, particle size, and concentration) effect the rate based on experimental data. This is an inquiry-based activity.

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  Density, Density, Observations, Inferences | High School, Middle School

  Demonstration: Qualitative Look at Gas Density

  In this demo, students witness three types of gases and observe their relative densities to air.

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  Introduction, Observations, Interdisciplinary, Scientific Method | Middle School, High School

  Activity: Engineering Project

  In this activity, students work together in a small team in order to solve a problem and achieve a common goal. Students will need to work collaboratively in order to be successful. They will be required to communicate their ideas both verbally and in written form, assign duties, design and carry out a procedure in this activity. They will also be challenged with problem solving when/if their original plan fails.

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  Gas Laws, Matter, Density, Density, Temperature, Pressure, Volume, Graphing, Observations, Measurements | High School, Middle School

  Lab: Pressure Bottle

  In this lab, students determine the relationship between volume and pressure of a gas and its temperature and address the common misconception that air does not have mass or density.

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  Exothermic & Endothermic, Heat, Specific Heat, Temperature, Enthalpy, Calorimetry, Observations, Inferences | High School, Middle School

  Demonstration: Energy in Hot and Cold Packs

  In this demonstration, students will observe temperature changes in chemical hot and cold packs and discuss processes of endothermic and exothermic changes. They will also see that common household products can be used to make a hot and cold pack.