Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics
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1 – 25 of 114 Classroom Resources
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Mixtures, History, Physical Properties, Periodic Table, Atomic Structure, Ions | High School
Lesson Plan: George Eastman, Kodak, and The Birth of Consumer Photography Mark as Favorite (1 Favorite)
In this lesson, students will learn about George Eastman’s contributions to modern day photography, as well as the history and chemistry of photosensitive chemicals through reading an article and engaging in related activities. The activities help promote literacy in the science classroom. This lesson could be easily used as plans for a substitute teacher, as most of the activities are self-guided.
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Physical Properties, Physical Change, Observations, Identifying an Unknown, Lab Safety, Covalent Bonding, Ionic Bonding, Intermolecular Forces, Molecular Motion | High School
Animation: Physical Properties and Particle Interaction Animation Mark as Favorite (13 Favorites)
This animation explores the relationship between physical properties and particle-level interactions. Particle diagrams of common household substances are used to illustrate that forces of attraction influence melting points. Similarly, particle diagrams of the same substances dissolved in water are used to compare their conductivity in solution. This animation was featured in the November 2023 issue of Chemistry Solutions. **This video has no audio**
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Physical Properties, Physical Change, Observations, Identifying an Unknown, Lab Safety, Molecules & Bonding, Covalent Bonding, Ionic Bonding, Intermolecular Forces, Molecular Motion, Solutions, Conductivity, States of Matter, Melting Point, Intermolecular Forces, Molecular Motion | High School
Activity: Animation Activity: Physical Properties and Particle Interaction Mark as Favorite (8 Favorites)
In this activity, students will view an animation that explores the relationship between physical properties and particle-level interactions. Particle diagrams of common household substances are used to illustrate that forces of attraction influence melting points. Similarly, particle diagrams of the same substances dissolved in water are used to compare their conductivity in solution.
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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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Separating Mixtures, Mixtures, Distillation, Physical Properties | High School
Animation: Separating Mixtures Animation Mark as Favorite (17 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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Separating Mixtures, Mixtures, Physical Properties, Distillation | Middle School, High School
Activity: Animation Activity: Separating Mixtures Mark as Favorite (9 Favorites)
In this activity, students will view an animation that 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.
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Observations, Physical Properties, Solubility, Ionic Bonding | High School, Middle School
Lab: Microscopic Wonder Mark as Favorite (15 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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Measurements, SI Units, Mole Concept, Physical Properties, Density | Middle School, High School
Activity: Animation Activity: Units of Chemistry Mark as Favorite (17 Favorites)
In this activity, students will view an animation that explores the importance of including units to communicate the value of measurements effectively. The animation presents definitions, units of measurement, and measuring tools for physical properties that are commonly measured or calculated in chemistry class: mass, length, temperature, volume, amount (moles), and density.
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SI Units, Mole Concept, Measurements, Physical Properties, Density | Middle School, High School
Animation: Units of Chemistry Animation Mark as Favorite (12 Favorites)
This animation explores the importance of including units to communicate the value of measurements effectively. It presents definitions, units of measurement, and measuring tools for physical properties that are commonly measured or calculated in chemistry class: mass, length, temperature, volume, amount (moles), and density. This animation was featured in the November 2022 issue of Chemistry Solutions. **This video has no audio**
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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 (23 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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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 (29 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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Measurements, SI Units, Physical Properties, Observations | High School
Lesson Plan: Setting the Standards of Excellence Mark as Favorite (8 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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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 (9 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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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 (10 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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Interdisciplinary, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, Molecular Structure, Chemical Bond, Radiation | High School
Lesson Plan: Chlorofluorocarbons and Ozone Depletion Mark as Favorite (11 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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Alloys, Molecular Structure, Physical Properties | High School
Lab: Chemistry of Art through Alloys and Metal Plating Mark as Favorite (10 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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Metallic Bonding, Physical Properties, Physical Change | High School
Lab: Molding Metal Mark as Favorite (15 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 (13 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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Chemical Properties, Physical Properties, Chemical Change, Physical Change, Chemical Change, Culminating Project, Mixtures, Molecular Structure | High School
Project: Analyze a Family Recipe Mark as Favorite (51 Favorites)
In this project, students will select a family recipe, or a favorite recipe to investigate. They will analyze several of the ingredients in order learn more about the chemistry of each one, as well as their purpose in the recipe. Additionally, students will examine several ingredient interactions to learn more about the chemistry of cooking.
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Heat, Temperature, Specific Heat, Law of Conservation of Energy, Enthalpy, Calorimetry, Exothermic & Endothermic, Balancing Equations, Chemical Change, Measurements, Mole Concept, Dimensional Analysis, Culminating Project, Interdisciplinary, Review, Graphing, Observations, Chemical Properties, Physical Properties | High School
Project: Handwarmer Design Challenge Mark as Favorite (34 Favorites)
In this project, students will use their knowledge of thermodynamics to design a handwarmer for a manufacturing company that can maintain a temperature of 30-40°C for at least 5 minutes and is designed for the average human hand. Students will create a final product after rounds of testing and an advertising poster that summarizes the results of their testing and promotes their design.
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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 (120 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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Heat, Physical Properties, Physical Change, Molecular Structure, Monomer, Polymers | High School
Video: Ingenious Video 7: The World has a Receipt Problem Mark as Favorite (7 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.
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Model of the Atom, Atoms, Subatomic Particles, Electrons, Valence Electrons, Lewis Dot Diagrams, Electron Configuration, Physical Properties | Middle School, High School
Project: Atomic Holiday Ornaments Mark as Favorite (34 Favorites)
In this project, students will design an atomic holiday ornament for a chosen element, along with a certificate of authenticity to display on a “Chemis-tree”. Students will also have the opportunity to vote on the ornaments created by their classmates.