Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics

1 – 16 of 16 Classroom Resources

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  Redox Reaction, Oxidation, Reduction, Half Reactions, Cathode, Anode, Electron Transfer, Electrolysis, Electrolytic Cells, Error Analysis, Error Analysis, Accuracy, Chemical Change, Accuracy, Dimensional Analysis, Mole Concept, Significant Figures | High School

  Lesson Plan: Recycling Copper from E-Waste

  In this lesson, students will consider the need for innovative solutions to e-waste both from an environmental perspective as well as for the economic benefit to reclaiming raw materials from used electronic devices. They will then take on the role of an electroplate technician who is tasked with evaluating the effectiveness of a copper recycling process that uses electrolysis to purify and recover copper metal from e-waste. As e-waste is a relatively new—and growing—issue, it demonstrates how new industries can develop that utilize skills from existing jobs.

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  Electromagnetic Spectrum, Observations, Scientific Method, Experimental Design, Error Analysis, Accuracy, Chemical Properties | High School

  Lesson Plan: Screen Your Sunscreen!

  In this lesson, students will learn more about UV radiation, its effect on skin, and the different ways in which sunscreen protects skin. After exploring this, students will develop an investigation to assess the claims made by different sun protection products. Students will compare the effectiveness of a variety of sunscreens and/or clothing that claim to offer sun protection. The lab will be wrapped up with a CER-style report.

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  Measurements, Significant Figures, Accuracy, Error Analysis, Intermolecular Forces, Accuracy, Error Analysis | High School

  Lesson Plan: Fit for Consumption?

  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.

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  Concentration, Precipitate, Molarity, Molality, Conductivity, Colligative Properties, Boiling Point Elevation, Freezing Point Depression, Distillation, Culminating Project, Graphing, Accuracy, Error Analysis, Interdisciplinary, Mixtures, pH, Buffers, Boiling Point, Freezing Point, Phase Changes | High School

  Lesson Plan: Investigating Sea Water

  In this lesson, students will consider their water footprint and means to obtain fresh water from seawater using a solar still. To understand the differences between fresh water and seawater, students will determine the composition of artificial seawater by using qualitative analysis to test for different ions in solution and calculate the molarity of different salts used in the recipe. Students will observe the effects of solutes in aqueous solutions by measuring conductivity and the freezing and boiling points of seawater and deionized water and determine total dissolved solids. In addition, students explore the buffering ability of seawater and the effect of carbon dioxide on its pH.

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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

  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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  Accuracy | High School

  Activity: Football Accuracy

  In this activity, students will analyze data collected from a football tryout. Using their knowledge of the terms accuracy and precision, students will interpret the data, and apply their understanding to several questions.

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  Measurements, Error Analysis, Accuracy, Accuracy, Significant Figures, Error Analysis | Middle School, High School

  Lab: Accuracy, Precision, and Error in Measurements

  In this lab, students make measurements of length and width using four measuring tools. They will measure the same object using measuring sticks of different precision. They will observe that the exactness of a measurement is limited by the precision of the measuring instrument.

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  Temperature, History, Physical Properties, Measurements, SI Units, Accuracy | Elementary School, Middle School, High School

  Activity: Temperature Guys Video Questions

  In this activity, students will watch a video and answer questions about how both the thermometer and the concept of temperature evolved over time

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  Significant Figures, Measurements, Accuracy, Density, Accuracy, Error Analysis, Error Analysis | Middle School, High School

  Lab: Significant Figures and Lab Data

  In this lesson, students will use laboratory equipment of different precision to collect data for several different metals, and then use the data to calculate the density of each. They will then compare their calculated densities to accepted values and determine the combination of equipment that leads to the most accurate calculation of density.

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  Accuracy, Measurements, Error Analysis, Accuracy, Error Analysis | High School

  Lab: Glassware Accuracy

  In this lab, students use different types of laboratory glassware to measure 50 mL of water and determine the accuracy of each piece of glassware.

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  Kinetic Molecular Theory, Ideal Gas, Gas Laws, Volume, Temperature, Graphing, Accuracy, Error Analysis | High School

  Lab: Finding Absolute Zero

  In this lab, students will experimentally determine the value for absolute zero in degrees Celsius.

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  Density, Error Analysis, Accuracy, Identifying an Unknown, Physical Properties | High School, Middle School

  Lab: Density Lab

  In this lab, students determine the density of several liquids and solids. They then identify an unknown metal by determining its density. They then calculate the percent error within the class for a specific sample.

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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

  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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  Density, Dimensional Analysis, Review, Measurements, Accuracy, Accuracy, Experimental Design, Error Analysis | High School, Middle School

  Lab: Bowling Ball—Will it Sink or Float in Water?

  In this lab, students will find the density of a bowling ball to determine whether it will sink or float in water.

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  Dimensional Analysis, Significant Figures, Measurements, Error Analysis, Accuracy, Interdisciplinary | High School

  Lab: Nanoscale and Self-Assembly

  In this lab, students determine both the diameter of one single BB and the length of an oleic acid molecule.

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  Measurements, Introduction, Dimensional Analysis, Scientific Notation, Error Analysis, Significant Figures, Accuracy, Density, Error Analysis, Interdisciplinary, Accuracy | High School

  Lab: Math and Measurement

  In this lab, students will practice introductory math skills that will be used in chemistry all year. This includes metric conversion, significant figures, scientific notation, dimensional analysis, density, percent error, accuracy and precision, as well as using lab equipment.