Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics
Filter by:
1 – 25 of 54 Classroom Resources
-
Emission Spectrum, Atomic Spectra, Electrons, Atomic Theory, Emission Spectrum, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Identifying an Unknown | High School
Lab: Emissions of Light Mark as Favorite (1 Favorite)
In this lab, students will examine three different ways to excite electrons to produce visible light found in the electromagnetic spectrum. The students will then see that this visible light has a specific color, wavelength, and frequency. They will use their knowledge of the speed of light and plank's equation to examine the energy involved in the emission of light. Finally, the students will then apply their knowledge of the emission spectrum to how the composition of stars is determined.
-
Periodic Table, Identifying an Unknown, Introduction | High School
Activity: Periodic Table of Aliens Mark as Favorite (95 Favorites)
In this activity, students will receive a deck of cards with images of aliens with various physical features that they have to organize into groups and periods following patterns in those features. Two cards are removed from each deck, and after students organize the cards, they can predict (draw) the missing aliens. They then watch a short video about Mendeleev to help them relate their process for organizing their alien cards to how Mendeleev organized the elements of the periodic table and predicted where undiscovered elements would fit.
-
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 Mark as Favorite (79 Favorites)
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.
-
Density, Error Analysis, Accuracy, Identifying an Unknown, Physical Properties, Accuracy, Error Analysis, Measurements, Significant Figures | High School, Middle School
Lab: Determining the Density of Liquids and Solids Mark as Favorite (39 Favorites)
In this lab, students will experimentally determine the density of several liquids and solids from mass and volume measurements. They will then identify an unknown metal by comparing its density to that of known metals and calculate the percent error within the class for a specific sample.
-
Indicators, Identifying an Unknown | Middle School, High School
Lab: Indicators of Acids and Bases Mark as Favorite (32 Favorites)
In this lab, students will use various indicators to identify unknown (clear) solutions as acidic, basic, or neutral.
-
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 Mark as Favorite (16 Favorites)
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.
-
Limiting Reactant, Percent Yield, Stoichiometry, Balancing Equations, Net Ionic Equation, Concentration, Molarity, Precipitate, Solubility, Dimensional Analysis, Mole Concept, Observations, Graphing, Separating Mixtures, Identifying an Unknown | High School
Lab: White Lab Mark as Favorite (55 Favorites)
In this lab, students use molarity concepts to review limiting reactant concepts mathematically, conceptually, and graphically. They can then carry out a follow up investigation to identify an unknown using concepts learned in the first investigation.
-
Percent Composition, Identifying an Unknown, Net Ionic Equation, Stoichiometry, Error Analysis, Molar Mass | High School
Lab: Analysis of Carbonate Compounds Mark as Favorite (58 Favorites)
In this lab, students calculate the molar masses of three unknown carbonate compounds by measuring the amount of product (CO2) produced by a reaction with hydrochloric acid.
-
Identifying an Unknown, Solutions, Solubility, States of Matter, Melting Point, Phase Changes, Acids & Bases, pH, Strong vs Weak, Observations, Molecular Motion | High School
Activity: Simulation Activity: Identifying Unknowns with Safety Data Sheets Mark as Favorite (17 Favorites)
In this activity, students will use a simulation to learn about some of the sections of a safety data sheet (SDS) and how the information on SDSs can be used not only for safety purposes but also for identifying unknowns. Specifically, students will use “Section 9: Physical and Chemical Properties” to distinguish between two or three substances with similar appearances in a variety of lab-based scenarios. Particle diagrams are also included to help students visualize the substances’ behavior on a particulate level.
-
Identifying an Unknown, Solutions, Solubility, States of Matter, Melting Point, Phase Changes | High School
Simulation: Safety Data Sheets Mark as Favorite (11 Favorites)
Students learn about sections of a safety data sheet (SDS) and how the information can be used for safety purposes and for identifying unknowns. They will use the Physical and Chemical Properties section and particle diagrams to distinguish between substances with similar appearances in a variety of lab-based scenarios.
-
Chemical Change, History, Identifying an Unknown, Molecular Structure | High School
Lesson Plan: Development of Diagnostic Test Strips Mark as Favorite (5 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will learn about diagnostic test strips by reading an article and engaging in related activities. The activities help promote literacy in the science classroom. Parts of this lesson could be used as plans for a substitute teacher.
-
Titrations, Acid Base Reactions, Identifying an Unknown, Molarity | High School
Lesson Plan: Investigating a Suspicious Drowning with Titrations Mark as Favorite (54 Favorites)
In this lesson, students take on the role of a forensic chemist who is tasked with investigating a suspicious drowning incident. Students will conduct a series of titrations on an evidence sample of water collected from the victim's lungs as well as on several water samples from local water sources (lakes, rivers, wells, etc.) Based on their findings, they will determine where the victim actually drowned.
-
Molecular Structure, Lab Safety, Identifying an Unknown, Interdisciplinary | High School
Lesson Plan: How Modern Instrumentation Revolutionized the Poison Game Mark as Favorite (51 Favorites)
In this lesson, students are introduced to the world of Forensic Chemistry using the prologue of Deborah Blum’s The Poisoner’s Handbook. Discussion revolves around why murder by poison was so prevalent during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and why it is so rare today. Students create their own Safety Data Sheet on a poison of choice, and learn about how mass spectroscopy has helped revolutionize the modern analysis of toxins.
-
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.
-
History, Observations, Identifying an Unknown, Molecular Structure , Functional Groups | High School
Lesson Plan: Introduction to Flavor Chemistry Mark as Favorite (16 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will read an article about flavor chemistry to learn about the science of tasting. There are a series of activities to help promote literacy in the science classroom related to the reading and help students experience what they’ve read about. One part, the Job Interview, could be used as plans for a substitute teacher since the activity is self-guided.
-
Periodic Table, Physical Properties, Identifying an Unknown, Ionization Energy, Atomic Radius, Electronegativity | High School
Activity: Mendeleev's Periodic Table Mark as Favorite (56 Favorites)
In this activity, students will use their knowledge of Periodic Trends to analyze and identify unknown elements and organize them correctly in the Periodic Table.
-
Electromagnetic Spectrum, Identifying an Unknown | Middle School, High School
Activity: Color Matching Paint Video Questions Mark as Favorite (5 Favorites)
In this activity, students will watch a video and answer related questions about how technology, specifically focusing on spectrophotometry, can be used for paint matching. During the video, students will learn how the spectrophotometer interacts with the spectrum of visible light in order to match or reproduce specific paint colors.
-
Periodic Table, Introduction, Elements, Identifying an Unknown | High School
Activity: Make a Periodic Table Mark as Favorite (24 Favorites)
In this activity students use imaginary elements to create a periodic table based on the known properties of those elements.
-
Separating Mixtures, Identifying an Unknown, Polarity, Intermolecular Forces, Molecular Structure | High School
Lesson Plan: What Chemicals are in E-Cigarettes? Mark as Favorite (19 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will learn about gas chromatography by comparing it to paper chromatography. Students will analyze gas chromatography data to learn more about the chemicals present in e-cigarettes. Finally, students will take the knowledge they learned to create an infographic. Students will post their infographic publicly to make a positive impact in their community.
-
Atomic Spectra, Emission Spectrum, Emission Spectrum, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Interdisciplinary, Identifying an Unknown | Middle School, High School
Lab: Build a Spectroscope Mark as Favorite (26 Favorites)
In this lab, the students will make and use a spectroscope to identify the spectra within various types of light bulbs. The students will then develop an improved design for the spectroscope.
-
Atomic Spectra, Emission Spectrum, Emission Spectrum, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Interdisciplinary, Identifying an Unknown | Middle School, High School
Lab: Spectral Detective Mark as Favorite (34 Favorites)
In this lab, students will use a spectroscope to view the atomic spectra of various unknown elements. Using their collected data in combination with known atomic spectra, they will identify the chemical elements.
-
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 (14 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.
-
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 (23 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**
-
Elements, Identifying an Unknown, Atomic Spectra, Emission Spectrum, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Emission Spectrum | Elementary School, Middle School
Lesson Plan: Elements Are Out of This World Mark as Favorite (9 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will learn about the elements that make up Earth’s atmosphere and lithosphere and then compare and contrast the information with the elements that compose various other astronomical objects.
-
Separating Mixtures, Identifying an Unknown, Functional Groups, Molecular Structure | High School
Lesson Plan: Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Mark as Favorite (6 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will learn about the development of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and how it used today. There are a series of activities to help promote literacy in the science classroom related to the reading. Through these activities students will learn how to interpret a skeletal structure, as well as the names and structures of several organic functional groups. Additionally, they will examine and evaluate a mass spectrum. This lesson could be easily used as plans for a substitute teacher, as most of the activities are self-guided.