Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics
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Separating Mixtures, Mixtures, Distillation, Physical Properties | High School
Animation: Separating Mixtures Animation Mark as Favorite (23 Favorites)
This animation explores different ways of separating a variety of mixtures. The separation techniques addressed in this animation include filtration, evaporation, distillation, and chromatography (focusing on paper chromatography). Real-world applications as well as particle diagrams of the separation processes are included. This animation was featured in the May 2023 issue of Chemistry Solutions. **This video has no audio**
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Introduction, History, Periodic Table, Elements, Observations, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties | High School
Lesson Plan: What is Chemistry? Mark as Favorite (24 Favorites)
In this lesson, students watch a video narrated by Bill Nye, and then complete a SOMA cube to enhance their perspective in the process of discovery.
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Separating Mixtures, Distillation, Physical Properties | High School
Activity: Investigating Crude Oil Mark as Favorite (2 Favorites)
In this activity, students will watch a video and answer questions about crude oil and the process of fractional distillation. They will see how this process effectively separates a mixture and the importance of understanding physical properties.
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Intermolecular Forces, Physical Properties, Melting Point, Boiling Point | High School, Middle School
Activity: Simulation Activity: Exploring Intermolecular Forces with Odyssey Mark as Favorite (4 Favorites)
In this simulation, students will learn about the different intermolecular forces. They will use the simulation to see how molecules in various species interact with one another.
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Intermolecular Forces, Polarity, Covalent Bonding, Lewis Structures, Molecular Geometry, Physical Properties | High School
Activity: Simulation Activity: Intermolecular Forces Mark as Favorite (61 Favorites)
In this simulation, students will review the three major types of intermolecular forces – London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, and hydrogen bonding – through short video clips and accompanying text. They will then answer quiz questions using the relative strengths of these forces to compare different substances given their name, formula, and Lewis structure, and put them in order based on the strength of their intermolecular forces, their boiling point, or their vapor pressure. The simulation is designed as a five question quiz for students to use multiple times.
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Mixtures, Physical Properties, Molecular Structure, Mixtures | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Demonstration: Analyzing Mixtures Mark as Favorite (36 Favorites)
In this demonstration, the teacher will create a sequence of mixtures in a single test tube. Water, oil, food coloring and soap will be used in this demonstration to introduce the concepts of heterogeneous and homogeneous solutions as well as the idea of miscibility. Students will also have the opportunity to analyze the properties, such as surface tension of each component used.
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Observations, Physical Properties, Solubility, Ionic Bonding | High School, Middle School
Lab: Microscopic Wonder Mark as Favorite (25 Favorites)
In this lab, students observe and describe the shape, size, and arrangement of salt crystals at various magnifications under a microscope and then compare the properties of each microscopically.
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Periodic Table, Elements, Matter, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, Observations, Identifying an Unknown | High School, Middle School
Lab: Periodic Table Trends Mark as Favorite (31 Favorites)
In this lab, students will investigate trends of the periodic table by examining samples of six elements. Students will use observations about the elements’ appearance, conductivity, and malleability to determine whether they are metals, nonmetals, or metalloids. They will also see how these elements, as well as two more in a teacher demo, react with water and use this information to make claims about reactivity patterns in the periodic table.
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Intermolecular Forces, Polarity, Covalent Bonding, Lewis Structures, Molecular Geometry, Physical Properties | High School
Simulation: Intermolecular Forces Mark as Favorite (159 Favorites)
In this simulation, students will review the three major types of intermolecular forces and answer quiz questions using the relative strengths of these forces to compare different substances given their name, formula, and Lewis structure.
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Molecular Motion, Density, Physical Properties, Density, Gas Laws, Ideal Gas, Temperature, Pressure, Volume | Middle School, High School
Simulation: Density Mark as Favorite (14 Favorites)
The simulation for the September 2015 issue allows students to investigate the effect of changing variables on both the volume and the density of a solid, a liquid, and a gas sample. Students will analyze the different states of matter at the particle level as well as quantitatively.
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Colligative Properties, Boiling Point Elevation, Freezing Point Depression, Concentration, Solute & Solvent, Boiling Point, Freezing Point, Phase Changes, Molecular Motion, Graphing, Physical Properties, Heat, Temperature | High School
Simulation: Colligative Properties Mark as Favorite (34 Favorites)
In this simulation, students will investigate the effects of different solutes, and different amounts of those solutes, on the boiling point and freezing point of a solution. Students will see particle-level animations of boiling and freezing with different types and amounts of solutes, as well as graphical representations of the results of each trial.
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Elements, History, Chemical Properties, Physical Properties, Identifying an Unknown, Ionic Bonding, Naming Compounds | High School
Lesson Plan: Joseph Priestley, Discoverer of Oxygen Mark as Favorite (12 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will read an article to learn about the discovery and identification of gases, specifically oxygen by Joseph Priestley. There are a series of activities to help promote literacy in the science classroom related to the reading. This lesson could be easily used as plans for a substitute teacher, as most of the activities are self-guided.
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Interdisciplinary, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, Molecular Structure, Chemical Bond, Radiation | High School
Lesson Plan: Chlorofluorocarbons and Ozone Depletion Mark as Favorite (14 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will learn about the history of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and the harm they cause the ozone layer through an article reading. There are a series of activities to help promote literacy in the science classroom related to the reading. This lesson could be easily used as plans for a substitute teacher, as most of the activities are self-guided.
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Colligative Properties, Boiling Point Elevation, Freezing Point Depression, Concentration, Solute & Solvent, Boiling Point, Freezing Point, Phase Changes, Molecular Motion, Graphing, Physical Properties, Heat, Temperature | Middle School, High School
Activity: Simulation Activity: The Effect of Solutes on Boiling and Freezing Point Mark as Favorite (43 Favorites)
In this activity, students will use a colligative properties simulation to investigate the effects of different solutes, and different amounts of those solutes, on the boiling point and freezing point of a solution. Students will see particle-level animations of boiling and freezing with different types and amounts of solutes, as well as graphical representations of the results of each trial.
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Electromagnetic Spectrum, Heat, Radiation, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, History, Interdisciplinary, Functional Groups, Molecular Structure | High School
Lesson Plan: Mars Exploration with Infrared Spectrometers Mark as Favorite (12 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will learn about how space scientists used infrared spectrometers to explore Mars through an article reading. Space exploration involves a lot of chemistry, which many students are surprised to learn. There are a series of activities to help promote literacy in the science classroom related to the reading. This lesson could be easily used as plans for a substitute teacher, as most of the activities are self-guided.
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Measurements, SI Units, Physical Properties, Observations | High School
Lesson Plan: Setting the Standards of Excellence Mark as Favorite (12 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will learn about standards through a reading about the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which is the U.S. body that defines standards. There are a series of activities to help promote literacy in the science classroom related to the reading. This lesson could be easily used as plans for a substitute teacher, as most of the activities are self-guided.
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Alloys, Molecular Structure, Physical Properties | High School
Lab: Chemistry of Art through Alloys and Metal Plating Mark as Favorite (12 Favorites)
In this lab, students will learn about and experiment with the process of electroless chemical plating in order to create a piece of artwork made from a combination of copper, zinc-plated copper, and brass.
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Colligative Properties, Boiling Point, Molality, Concentration, Boiling Point Elevation, Graphing, Accuracy, Physical Properties, Error Analysis | High School
Lab: Changing Water's Boiling Point Mark as Favorite (24 Favorites)
In this lab, students will explore colligative properties in a quantitative approach. They will measure the effect of increasing the molality of a salt solution on the solution’s boiling point, and they will graph their data and use the slope of the line of best fit to calculate the boiling point elevation constant of water. There are three versions of the lab, some of which provide more structure and guidance and others of which are more student-driven.
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Metallic Bonding, Physical Properties, Physical Change | High School
Lab: Molding Metal Mark as Favorite (17 Favorites)
In this lab, students cast tin into molds and observe physical changes of metals while creating an ornament. They will apply their knowledge of metallic bonding to analyze and explain their observations.
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Physical Properties, Heat, Alloys | High School
Lab: Investigating Heat Treatments and Properties of Steel Mark as Favorite (18 Favorites)
In this lab, students will take on the perspective of a material scientist working for a company that makes shocks and struts for car suspension by applying three different heat treatments to steel coils. Students will test how these heat treatments affect the properties of the high carbon steel.
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Review, Periodic Table, Physical Properties, Subatomic Particles, Electron Configuration, Covalent Bonding, Ionic Bonding, Naming Compounds, Molecular Geometry, VSEPR Theory, Lewis Structures, Chemical Change, Limiting Reactant, Stoichiometry | High School
Activity: Chemistry Review Escape Room Mark as Favorite (143 Favorites)
In this activity, students will work collaboratively to apply their chemistry knowledge in order to “escape the room.” They will work to solve four clues that span a plethora of topics ranging from Atomic Structure all the way up to Stoichiometry. These four clues will point them to four chemical reactions to conduct on a small-scale basis that will correspond with a four-digit combination to a lock. This engaging activity is not only fun for all students but also allows for interactive and collaborative review.
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Separating Mixtures, Physical Properties, Mixtures | High School
Activity: Ingenious: The World's Smallest Water Treatment Plant Comes in a Packet Video Questions Mark as Favorite (8 Favorites)
In this activity, students will answer questions while watching the video The World’s Smallest Water Treatment Plant Comes in a Packet from the Ingenious series produced by the American Chemical Society. Each episode investigates a different topic related to how leading-edge chemistry is taking on the world’s most urgent issues to advance everyone’s quality of life and secure our shared future. This episode investigates the global shortage in accessing clean water. Using a technology that was first developed to reuse dirty laundry water, scientists have developed a water treatment plant the size of a teabag that contains a chemical triple-threat—it removes microbes, heavy metals, silt and dirt to produce clean, safe water.
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Lab Safety, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, Interdisciplinary, Heat, Temperature, Polymers, Molecular Structure | High School
Video: Ingenious Video 3: This Sandwich Will Save Your Life in an Arc Flash Mark as Favorite (3 Favorites)
It’s never fun when your clothes catch on fire. And while “stop, drop, and roll” may be a good idea sometimes, in more extreme cases, you need a better plan. Every day, industrial workers, firefighters, and soldiers risk fiery situations that might seem hard to imagine. In an arc flash event, for one, temperatures can jump to metal-melting levels in milliseconds. How can anyone possibly survive that? Well, take a tip from a club sandwich, because it’s all about the layers. The composite fabrics that protect life and limb in these situations rely on some incredible, multilayered chemistry, including the ability to quickly form a protective carbonaceous crust around the wearer.
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Heat, Physical Properties, Physical Change, Molecular Structure, Monomer, Polymers | High School
Video: Ingenious Video 7: The World has a Receipt Problem Mark as Favorite (9 Favorites)
The receipts you take home from the store – or stuff in your bag, or lose in your car -- employ a printing method that’s been around since the 1970s. Thermal printing involves heat-sensitive inks called leuco dyes that show up when they react with an acid developer embedded in the paper. Not only do these inks fade easily, but receipts that use them aren’t recyclable, and could even be dangerous to your health. Taking a cue from a failed experiment, scientists are developing a new kind of receipt paper that will use the same thermal printers without leuco dyes. Instead of acid developers, this paper is coated in reflective microspheres that collapse under heat, allowing regular ink underneath to show through.
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Heat, Physical Properties, Physical Change, Molecular Structure, Monomer, Polymers | High School
Activity: Ingenious: The World Has a Receipt Problem Video Questions Mark as Favorite (6 Favorites)
In this activity, students will answer questions while watching the video The World has a Receipt Problem from the Ingenious series produced by the American Chemical Society. Each episode investigates a different topic related to how leading-edge chemistry is taking on the world’s most urgent issues to advance everyone’s quality of life and secure our shared future. This episode investigates the process of thermal printing on receipts, and the limitations related to the paper that currently prints using leuco dyes. This heat-sensitive ink appears when it reacts with an acid developer embedded in the paper. Scientists are working to develop a new kind of thermal receipt paper, that can use the same printers, however it offers many additional benefits and potential uses.