Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics
101 – 125 of 162 Classroom Resources
-
Ionic Bonding, Covalent Bonding, Physical Properties | High School
Lab: You Light Up My Life!
In this lab, students will participate in a guided inquiry in which they will test different physical properties, such as conductivity and solubility of given samples. This lab can be used to introduce ionic, covalent and metallic bonds as well as their properties. This lab should help students make connections between the types of bonds, differentiate between them, as well as help to better understand the nomenclature of ionic and covalent compounds.
-
Observations, Density, Physical Properties | Elementary School
Demonstration: Will it Float?
In this demonstration, students will observe the relationship between the density of a solution and its impact on an object’s ability to float or sink. Uncooked eggs will be placed in a tap water sample and in a salt water solution so that students can make observations and compare the results in order to make a determination regarding the density value for each item.
-
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
-
Physical Properties, Molecular Structure, Polarity | High School, Elementary School, Middle School
Activity: What Makes Water So Special?
In this activity, students will become familiar with the special properties of water by completing several activities that investigate the following physical properties/phenomena: cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, and capillary action.
-
Matter, Physical Properties, Observations, Phase Changes | Elementary School
Activity: Matter Can Taste Good!
In this activity, students will be introduced to the general differences and organization of particles in each state of matter: solid, liquid and gas. They will have the opportunity to compare the samples and then will identify each state of matter during an edible activity.
-
Physical Properties, Density, Observations, Mixtures | Elementary School
Activity: Discovery Tubes
This is a fun, visual activity for young students. It allows for understanding of fundamental chemistry topics, including mixtures, miscibility, density and viscosity while analyzing a handheld colorful toy.
-
Chemical Change, Physical Change, Physical Properties | Elementary School
Lab: What's the Fizz?
In this lab, students will make a lemon fizzy drink. Students will discuss what happens when things are mixed together.
-
Physical Properties, Observations, Experimental Design, Scientific Method | High School
Lesson Plan: Not Breaking Up is Hard to Do: the Properties of Glass
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.
-
Molecular Formula, History, Covalent Bonding, Molecular Structure, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties | High School
Activity: Molecule of the Week
In this activity, students research and present a molecule they find relevant to real life, either in the past or present. They must submit notes to the teacher the day before they present their findings in five to 10 minutes to their chemistry class.
-
Temperature, History, Accuracy, Physical Properties | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Video: The Temperature Guys Video
This video tells the story of how temperature as we currently know it evolved. The first thermometers invented in the early 1600s are very different than ones we use today!
-
Periodic Table, History, Physical Properties | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Video: Silicon Video
In this video, Sam Kean tells stories about silicon.
-
Periodic Table, History, Physical Properties | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Video: Gallium Video
In this video, Sam Kean tells stories about gallium.
-
Density, Matter, Physical Properties, Measurements | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Animation: Density Animation
This animation explores density on the particulate level. There are opportunities to make qualitative and quantitative comparisons between substances. **This video has no audio**
-
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.
-
Density, Physical Properties, Introduction, Observations, Mixtures | Elementary School
Lesson Plan: What is Density
In this two-part lesson, students will learn about density through a teacher-led demonstration and a hands-on activity. The demonstration will give students the opportunity to observe the formation of a density tower made from common drinks. Students will then create their own density tower using simple ingredients, and then further investigate differences in density when solid objects are added to the tower.
-
Introduction, History, Periodic Table, Elements, Observations, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties | High School
Lesson Plan: What is Chemistry?
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.
-
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.
-
Density, Measurements, Graphing, Experimental Design, Scientific Method, Physical Properties, Error Analysis, Significant Figures, Error Analysis | High School
Lab: Investigating the Density of an Irregular Solid Object
In this lab, students will use common laboratory equipment to devise a method to measure the density of several irregular objects. They will then create a formal laboratory report using both their own data and data from the entire class.
-
Phase Changes, Physical Properties, Molecular Motion, Introduction, Matter | Elementary School
Lesson Plan: Introducing States of Matter
In this lesson, students will investigate particle behavior in different forms of matter: solid, liquid and gas. Students will have an opportunity to examine a model of the particles in the different states of matter and will also participate in a kinesthetic demonstration of matter. They will also learn what makes the states of matter different from one another when changing from one form to another.
-
Polymers, Intermolecular Forces, Molecular Structure, Physical Properties | High School
Lesson Plan: The Right Polymer for the Job
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.
-
Periodic Table, History, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, Elements, Identifying an Unknown, Atoms, Atomic Radius, Ionic Radius, Ionization Energy, Electron Affinity, Valence Electrons, Electrons, Subatomic Particles, Ions, Model of the Atom | High School
Lesson Plan: The Periodic Table Unit Plan
The AACT high school classroom resource library and multimedia collection has everything you need to put together a unit plan for your classroom: lessons, activities, labs, projects, videos, simulations, and animations. We constructed a unit plan using AACT resources that is designed to teach the Periodic Table to your students.
-
Intermolecular Forces, Intermolecular Forces, Polarity, Molecular Motion, Molecular Motion, Physical Properties | High School
Activity: Simulation Activity: Comparing Attractive Forces
In this activity, students will use a simulation to investigate different types of intermolecular forces (London dispersion, induced dipole, and hydrogen bonding). In the analysis that follows the activity, they will relate IMFs (also including dipole-dipole) to physical properties (boiling point, solubility, and vapor pressure). This activity and simulation are appropriate for students in any level chemistry course.
-
Intermolecular Forces, Physical Properties, Melting Point, Boiling Point | High School, Middle School
Activity: Simulation Activity: Exploring Intermolecular Forces with Odyssey
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.
-
Physical Properties, Intermolecular Forces, Identifying an Unknown, Experimental Design, Scientific Method, Error Analysis, Graphing, Molecular Structure | High School
Lesson Plan: The Importance of Motor Oil Viscosity in Optimal Car Functioning
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.
-
Phase Changes, Physical Properties, Melting Point, Observations, Scientific Method | Elementary School
Lab: Ice Cube Race
In this lab, students will investigate what factors can influence the change in state of matter from a solid to a liquid. They will have the opportunity to make a hypothesis and participate in the design and completion of an experiment.