Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics

26 – 49 of 49 Classroom Resources

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  Physical Change, Chemical Change, Identifying an Unknown, Acid Base Reactions | Middle School

  Lab: Is It a Hoax?

  In this lab, students will perform tests on the physical and chemical properties of different substances to determine the identity of the unknown.

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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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  History, Chemical Change, Interdisciplinary | High School, Middle School

  Activity: Tie Dye

  In this activity, students make tie-dye shirts and complete a worksheet about a reading from ChemMatters about how dyes work. It gives students the opportunity to apply chemistry to everyday life.

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  Photosynthesis, Conservation of Mass, Balancing Equations, Chemical Change, Reversible Reactions, Molecular Formula, Interdisciplinary, Chemical Change, Conservation of Mass | Middle School

  Lesson Plan: The Building Blocks of Photosynthesis

  In this lesson, students will use colored blocks to represent the elements in photosynthesis and illustrate how they are broken down and reassembled to create glucose.

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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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  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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  Solute & Solvent, Chemical Change, Solubility, Chemical Bond | Middle School

  Lab: A Sticky Situation

  In this lab, students will try to separate plastic spoons that have been attached together with different adhesive materials using a variety of solvents.

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  Temperature, History, Interdisciplinary, Chemical Change, Temperature, Heat | Middle School, High School

  Lab: Greenhouse Gas Simulation

  In this lab, students will create two simulations of the Earth’s atmosphere. They will compare a control model with a one that has an increased presence of carbon dioxide gas in order to analyze how this effects temperature. They will also complete research in order to learn more about the makeup of the Earth’s atmosphere.

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  Chemical Change, Density, Chemical Change, Density | Elementary School, Middle School, High School

  Demonstration: Fire Extinguisher

  In this demonstration, students will observe a chemical reaction, and see how the product can be used to extinguish a fire.

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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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  Precipitate, Reactions & Stoichiometry, Solubility Rules, Balancing Equations, Chemical Change, Chemical Change | High School, Middle School

  Lab: Predicting Precipitates

  In this lab, students use solubility rules to predict which chemical reactions will produce precipitates.

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  Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Observations | High School, Middle School

  Lab: Corrosion in Motion

  In this lab, students will expose metal samples to various solutions and observe the amount of corrosion of a period of time.

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  Conservation of Mass, Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Observations | High School, Middle School

  Lab: Conservation of Mass

  In this lab, students perform three simple experiments, recording the mass of a substance before and after a reaction. They then explain how the law of conservation of mass was not violated, even if the mass changed.

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

  Demonstration: Comparing Gas Density

  In this demonstration, students will observe a reaction between baking soda and vinegar in the presence of a variety of different heights of lit candles. 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 candles to extinguish in order of height. Students will analyze and compare the presence of the gases in the container and make determinations about the densities of each.

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  Separating Mixtures, Density, Physical Change, Chemical Change, Mixtures, Intermolecular Forces, Intermolecular Forces | Middle School

  Lab: Clean it Up!

  In this lab, students will consider and utilize various separation techniques to purify and reclaim used motor oil.

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  Balancing Equations, Chemical Change, Observations | High School, Middle School

  Lab: Chemical Reactions & Equations

  In this lesson, students will observe a series of reactions, make observations, and then write balanced chemical equations to chemically describe what they observed.

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  Chemical Change, Observations, Chemical Change, Reaction Rate, Interdisciplinary, Physical Change, Reaction Rate | Middle School

  Lab: Chemical Weathering in Geology

  In this lab, students will explore the differences between erosion, weathering and chemical weathering. They will complete a lab experiment that simulates chemical weathering on 4 different types of rocks. They will also learn how to use the Mohs Hardness Test to analyze the results.

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  Chemical Change, Physical Change, Observations, Chemical Change, Interdisciplinary, Acid, Chemical Change | Middle School

  Lab: Break It Down!

  In this lab, students will examine the physical and chemical changes that take place within a landfill by composting leftover fruits and vegetables from their lunches. They will also record pH and temperature measurements during the process.

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  Chemical Change, Identifying an Unknown, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, Chemical Change, Experimental Design, Scientific Method | High School, Middle School

  Lab: As Easy as Pie

  In this lab, students will use chemical and physical properties to identify an unknown powder.

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  Chemical Change, Classification of Reactions, Oxidation, Reduction, Redox Reaction, Electrons, Electron Transfer, Ions, Observations, Inferences, Chemical Change | Middle School

  Lesson Plan: One Tube Reaction

  In this lesson, students will observe a chemical change involving oxidation and reduction.

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  Chemical Change, Observations, Exothermic & Endothermic, Temperature, Chemical Change, Physical Change, Physical Properties | High School, Middle School

  Lab: Observing a Chemical Reaction

  In this lab, students will practice making careful observations and measurements while witnessing a chemical change.

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  Conservation of Mass, Measurements, Conservation of Mass, Chemical Change, Observations, Physical Change, Chemical Change | High School, Middle School

  Lab: Mass & Change

  In this lab, students will use unified particle pictures of solid, liquid, and gas to explain the law of conservation of mass after carrying out various experiments.

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  Balancing Equations, Conservation of Mass, Conservation of Matter, Conservation of Matter, Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Conservation of Mass, Polyatomic Ions, Precipitate | Middle School, High School

  Activity: Simulation Activity: Balancing Chemical Equations

  In this activity, students will learn how to count atoms and how to balance chemical equations using a simulation and games from PhET Interactive Simulations.