Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics
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101 – 125 of 664 Classroom Resources
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Combustion, Chemical Change, Balancing Equations, Reaction Rate, Conservation of Mass, Conservation of Matter, Stoichiometry, Limiting Reactant, Chemical Change, Conservation of Matter, Conservation of Mass, Graphing, Error Analysis, Accuracy, Observations, Inferences, Interdisciplinary, Reaction Rate, Catalysts, Measurements, Mole Concept | High School
Lesson Plan: Clean Air Chemistry Mark as Favorite (28 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will learn about air pollution and some steps toward mitigating it. First, they will burn a candle and measure its mass and the concentration of CO2 over time. Students will discuss which data set they have more confidence in and why and then use stoichiometry to predict outcomes. Next, students explore incomplete combustion in a model-based worksheet that shows how a lack of O2 in the burning of fuels can produce air pollution. Students work together to interpret the models, define terms, and draw conclusions. Lastly, students work in groups using Lego models to illustrate how a catalytic converter works. They race “Nature” against catalysts “Palladium,” “Platinum,” and “Rhodium” to see what breaks down air pollution molecules fastest.
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Atomic Theory, Model of the Atom, Subatomic Particles, History | High School
Demonstration: The Hoopla about Atoms Mark as Favorite (70 Favorites)
In this demonstration, students use a hula hoop that has a ball in the center (hung from a string) to simulate Rutherford’s gold foil experiment.
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Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Acid Base Reactions, Observations | Middle School, High School
Lab: How do Sinkholes Form? Mark as Favorite (44 Favorites)
In this lab students will learn how acidic groundwater reacts with limestone, causing it to erode. Sinkholes form when eroded limestone underneath the surface of the earth can no longer support the ground above it. Students will test how acid reacts with a variety of rocks and determine which rocks would be best to build a city on top of in order to reduce the chance of sinkholes forming.
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Activity Series, Balancing Equations, Predicting Products, Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Observations | High School
Lab: Activity Series of Unknown Metals Mark as Favorite (43 Favorites)
In this lab, students will create an activity series of metals from a series of reactions involving unknown metals. They will then compare their activity series and a list of metals used in this lab (supplied by the teacher after data collection) to a published activity series to identify the unknown metals.
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Electron Transfer, Electrons, Electricity, Model of the Atom, Atoms, Subatomic Particles, Electrons, Observations | Middle School, High School
Lesson Plan: Understanding Static Electricity Mark as Favorite (6 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will complete a series of activities to explore how the imbalance of charges in materials creates static electricity and how those materials interact with others around them. They will describe the relationship between atomic structure, specifically the role of protons and electrons, and static electricity.
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Density, Observations, Chemical Change, Physical Change, Balancing Equations, Chemical Change, Mixtures | High School
Lab: The Lovely Lava Lamp Mark as Favorite (44 Favorites)
In this lab, students add food coloring to a mixture of oil and water and record their observations. They then add an Alka-Seltzer tablet, record their observations and answer a series of questions about the chemical and physical changes that took place.
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Chemical Change, Scientific Method, Experimental Design, Observations, Inferences | Middle School, High School
Demonstration: What Causes Yeast to Ferment? Mark as Favorite (6 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will observe and verify molasses sugar content as a result of its ability to ferment yeast. They will compare how molasses allows yeast to ferment with other sugar solutions as well as a sugar-free solution.
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Limiting Reactant, Chemical Change, Conservation of Mass, Stoichiometry, Chemical Change, Observations, Conservation of Mass | High School
Demonstration: Understanding Limiting Reactants Mark as Favorite (50 Favorites)
In this demonstration, the teacher will perform a series of reactions between acetic acid (vinegar) and varying amounts of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) in order to inflate several balloons. Students will observe the reactions and analyze the quantities of reactants used as well as the results in order to understand the concept of limiting reactants.
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Molecular Structure, Molecular Structure , Interdisciplinary, Chemical Change, Distillation, Renewable Energy, Enthalpy, Stoichiometry, Chemical Change, Combustion | 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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Chemical Bond, Molecular Structure, Atoms, Elements, Matter, Interdisciplinary, Naming Compounds | Elementary School
Lesson Plan: Modeling Molecules Mark as Favorite (0 Favorites)
In this lesson, students explore the structure of matter by designing, building, comparing, and evaluating models of a variety of simple molecules.
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Lab Safety, Chemical Properties, Physical Properties | Middle School, High School
Lesson Plan: Lab Safety and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Mark as Favorite (5 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will identify various safe lab practices with a focus on the importance of labeling and knowing the background safety information for all reagents used in a lab. Students will design a series of tests to determine the identity of an unknown substance using properties found on safety data sheets.
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Molecular Structure, Chemical Properties | High School
Lesson Plan: The Chemistry of Vaccines Mark as Favorite (40 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will read the article, Can a Vaccine End the Pandemic? by Wynne Parry from the December 2020 edition of ChemMatters magazine. Students will answer questions based on the content of the article and also have the opportunity to do additional research. Finally, they will create a podcast discussing the chemistry of vaccines.
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Ionic Bonding, Polyatomic Ions, Naming Compounds, Molecular Formula | Middle School, High School
Lesson Plan: What's in a Name? What's in a Glaze? Mark as Favorite (20 Favorites)
In this lesson students will learn about some of the chemical compounds involved in the art of pottery by practicing naming and writing formulas for ionic compounds commonly found in components of glazes for ceramics.
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Chemical Properties, Physical Properties, Mixtures | High School
Lesson Plan: What is Paint? A Paint Investigation Mark as Favorite (17 Favorites)
In this lesson students will investigate the components of paint. The students will research, organize, and prepare a presentation on the four main components of paint: pigments, binders, solvents, and additives. They will also propose a solution to an environmental issue caused by paint components. During the lesson, students will model how paint components interact at the molecular level.
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Density, Identifying an Unknown, Physical Properties | Middle School, High School
Lesson Plan: The Shattered Glass Mystery Mark as Favorite (22 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will take on the role of a Forensic Scientist to help solve a hit and run investigation. They will learn how physical properties of matter, such as density and refractive index, can be used to help identify evidence samples such as glass.
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Ionic Bonding, Covalent Bonding, Molecular Formula, Physical Properties | High School
Lesson Plan: Investigating Properties of Ionic and Covalent Compounds Mark as Favorite (82 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will use a PhET simulation in combination with Safety Data Sheets in order to analyze specific ionic and covalent substances. Students will then use the collected data in order to identify trends in the properties of similar substances.
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Scientific Method, Observations | High School
Lesson Plan: Is it Real Science or Pseudoscience? Mark as Favorite (20 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will deepen their knowledge of the scientific method by learning how to determine if researched information is valid and if it should be used for gaining or furthering our scientific knowledge. Students will view the documentary “Mermaids: The Body Found”, a pseudo-documentary that was later reported to be a hoax by the Discovery Channel. They will then use a “Baloney Detection Kit” to analyze the authenticity of information presented through different media as scientific fact.
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Phase Changes, Physical Change, Melting Point, Introduction, Observations | Elementary School
Lesson Plan: Let's Get Physical About Water Mark as Favorite (0 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will learn about the phase changes of matter. During the course of two days students will perform several short experiments in order to change the state of water and they will record their observations.
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Atomic Radius, Model of the Atom, Atomic Theory, History, Inferences | Middle School, High School
Lesson Plan: Indirectly Measuring the Atom Mark as Favorite (20 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will try to determine the radius of one circle and the total area of multiple circles on a piece of paper by indirect measurement. They will relate this to the experiment done by Ernest Rutherford in which he bombarded a gold foil with Alpha particles.
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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 Mark as Favorite (25 Favorites)
In this lab, students will practice making careful observations and measurements while witnessing a chemical change.
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Lab Safety, Introduction | Middle School, High School
Lesson Plan: ACS Chemical Safety Video: RAMP Mark as Favorite (15 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will learn about a simple yet powerful tool for protecting themselves and their classmates in the lab, RAMP. It stands for: Recognize hazards; Assess risks; Minimize risks and Prepare for emergencies. Using a video, and multiple activities, students will become more knowledgeable and better prepared to assess risks and identify hazards in the lab.
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Periodic Table, Elements | Elementary School, Middle School
Lesson Plan: Identify Your Elements Mark as Favorite (2 Favorites)
In this lesson, students observe the teacher using a set of Russian Nesting Dolls to create analogies between structure and shape of the periodic table. Students are taught to navigate the periodic table, identify specific elements by atomic number, analyze several element samples, and determine the identity of a mystery material.
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Density, Observations | Middle School
Lesson Plan: Understanding Density Mark as Favorite (5 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will explain phenomena using their knowledge of how changes in mass and volume can affect the density of an object.
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Concentration, Titrations, Indicators, Equivalence Point, Chemical Change, Accuracy, Error Analysis, Chemical Change | Middle School, High School
Lesson Plan: Comparison of Vitamin C in Juice Drinks Mark as Favorite (16 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will use a color-changing indicator called indophenol and a simplified titration method to determine if vitamin C is present in a variety of store-bought juices. The indicator solution will turn from dark blue to colorless once all the indophenol has reacted with vitamin C in the juices. Students will count how many drops of juice it takes to produce this color change in a 5-mL sample of indicator solution. The greater number of drops it takes to cause the color change, the less vitamin C is present in each drop. They will use their data to compare the relative amounts of vitamin C in the juices to a solution prepared from a vitamin C tablet.
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Measurements, Significant Figures, Accuracy, Error Analysis, Intermolecular Forces, Accuracy, Error Analysis | High School
Lesson Plan: Fit for Consumption? Mark as Favorite (7 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will learn about a product recall of baby formula. Students will explore regulations around foods for human consumption and the quality control process that is part of food production. They will use their knowledge of the difference in intermolecular forces between solids and liquids to determine the moisture content in samples of powders. Students will then assume the role of quality control technicians and write a report in which they provide a data-informed decision as to whether their batch should be discarded or is fit for consumption.