Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics
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Periodic Table, Elements, Percent Composition | Middle School
Activity: The Universe of Elements Mark as Favorite (15 Favorites)
In this activity, students are introduced to the periodic table and its elements. Student will discuss that all material in the Universe is composed of elements and that the atom is the smallest particle that still has the physical and chemical properties of any given element. Students will engage in an activity to determine the percent composition of common elements in the universe, and based on their results they will hypothesize the identity of each element based on its relative abundance.
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Polymers, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, Physical Change, Chemical Change, Observations, Scientific Method, Mixtures | Middle School
Lesson Plan: Exploring the Chemistry of Oil and Acrylic Paints Mark as Favorite (13 Favorites)
In this lesson students learn about the chemistry of oil and acrylic paints. They make their own paint, and complete an experiment to collect qualitative and quantitative data through a series of tests. Students will also apply the concepts of physical and chemical change to the results of this controlled experiment.
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Lab Safety, Culminating Project, Interdisciplinary | High School, Middle School
Activity: Dangerous Goods Specialist Mark as Favorite (29 Favorites)
In this activity, students will take on the role of a Dangerous Goods Specialist for a large chemical company. In this role, students will research a specific commercially available industrial chemical looking at both the properties of the compound as well as how can they safely ship the chemical to a buyer in a cost effective and timely manner.
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Introduction, Interdisciplinary | High School
Video: Chemistry Lab Technicians Mark as Favorite (0 Favorites)
Meet Josh, a chemical technician at PPG. Most chemical technician jobs do not require a bachelor’s degree, and they involve more of the hands-on work of “doing science” than many scientist roles. This video shows us the lab where he makes new paint formulations and explains how he arrived at his current occupation. ACS celebrates the crucial role of skilled technicians in research and the chemical industries.
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Physical Properties, Molecular Structure, Polarity | High School, Middle School
Activity: What Makes Water So Special? Mark as Favorite (56 Favorites)
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.
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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.
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Elements, Periodic Table, Polyatomic Ions | Middle School, High School
Game: Guess What: Compounds Mark as Favorite (6 Favorites)
In this game, students will use their knowledge of the different types of elements and the compounds they can form to guess the computer opponent’s secret compound before the computer can identify their compound.
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Elements, Periodic Table, Polyatomic Ions, Covalent Bonding, Ionic Bonding, Molecular Formula | Middle School, High School
Activity: Game Activity: Guess What: Compounds Mark as Favorite (0 Favorites)
In this game, students will use their knowledge of the different types of elements and the compounds they can form to guess the computer opponent’s secret compound before the computer can identify their compound. Students will take turns with the computer asking and answering yes or no questions about their secret compounds, selected from a pool of 20 compounds, to try to narrow down the pool to identify the computer’s compound first. This activity encourages students to reflect on different ways matter can be classified.
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Precipitate, Solubility, Solubility Rules, Net Ionic Equation, Balancing Equations, Chemical Change, Predicting Products, Chemical Bond, Intramolecular Forces, Intermolecular Forces, Ionic Bonding, Chemical Change, Physical Change | High School
Lesson Plan: Inquiry Introduction to Precipitation Reactions Mark as Favorite (2 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will work with a partner through a guided inquiry activity that will introduce, teach, and “solidify” the concept of precipitation reactions. In this multi-part lesson, students will review chemical and physical changes, identify spectator ions, perform small-scale precipitation reactions, view simulation-based heavy metal precipitation reactions, and identify a likely precipitate when combining two solutions. Students will also be introduced to writing net ionic equations.
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Conservation of Mass, Conservation of Matter, Chemical Change, Classification of Reactions, Percent Yield, Balancing Equations, Error Analysis, Accuracy, Chemical Change, Chemical Properties, Conservation of Mass, Conservation of Matter, Observations, Separating Mixtures | High School
Lab: Reactions of Copper Mark as Favorite (14 Favorites)
In this lab, students will convert copper metal into different copper compounds and then back to copper to illustrate conservation of matter.
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Phase Changes, Boiling Point, Melting Point, Physical Properties, Freezing Point, Molecular Motion, Physical Change, Density, Heat, Temperature | Elementary School, Middle School
Lesson Plan: Investigating Water's States of Matter Mark as Favorite (1 Favorite)
In this lesson, students will identify properties of different states of matter and then work in groups to model the molecular arrangement in water as a solid, liquid, and gas. This lesson will also help students understand that the change in state is a physical change and how the solid state of water has unique properties.
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Intermolecular Forces, Molecular Motion, Physical Properties, Density | High School
Activity: Molecular Structure in Glacier Formation Mark as Favorite (0 Favorites)
In this activity, students will model the compression of ice as a glacier forms. Students will make connections between density, distance between molecules, and the life of the glacier.
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Molecules & Bonding, Ionic Bonding, Polyatomic Ions | High School
Game: Ion Dice Mark as Favorite (14 Favorites)
In this game, students roll ion dice and select ions to create various ionic compounds in order to score points. As the game progresses, fewer dice are available, so students must decide to either play it safe or risk a “bust” which would result in losing all their points for the round.
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Ionic Bonding, Polyatomic Ions | High School
Activity: Game Activity: Ion Dice Mark as Favorite (2 Favorites)
In this game, students will test their knowledge of how ions combine to form ionic compounds. Students will score points by rolling the 12 ion dice and combining ions to create various ionic compounds. As the players create compounds, they are left with fewer dice and must decide whether to stop and bank their points or to press their luck, risking a “bust” and losing all their points for the round. This accompanying activity encourages students to further practice the skills used in the game, as well as to take the next step of writing names and formulas for ionic compounds.
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Electricity, Galvanic Cells, Graphing | Middle School, High School
Lab: Comparing Batteries Made from Different Citrus Fruits Mark as Favorite (0 Favorites)
In this lab students will explore and compare how different citrus fruits can be used to make batteries. Student lab groups will collect the voltage data for batteries made from limes, lemons, oranges, and grapefruit, then determine if there is a difference in the voltage they can produce.
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Freezing Point, Solubility, Solute & Solvent, Phase Changes, Freezing Point Depression, Physical Change, Physical Properties | Elementary School, Middle School
Lesson Plan: Salting Roads in Winter Mark as Favorite (3 Favorites)
In this lesson, students investigate how the freezing point of water changes when salt is added. Many students know that water freezes at 0°C, and many believe that all substances freeze at 0°C. The investigations in this lesson help students understand why salt is spread on roads in cold and snowy conditions.
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Introduction, Interdisciplinary | High School
Activity: Careers in the Skilled Technical Workforce Mark as Favorite (9 Favorites)
In this activity, students will learn about career opportunities in the Skilled Technical Workforce (STW) – jobs that use STEM knowledge but do not require a four-year degree. They will be introduced to various STW jobs through articles, infographics, videos, and career websites, and will have a chance to reflect on their own career goals.
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Separating Mixtures, Physical Properties, History, Measurements, Dimensional Analysis | High School
Lesson Plan: Bettye Washington Greene Mark as Favorite (4 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will learn about the significant chemistry contributions of Dr. Bettye Washington Greene, who was one of very few African American women to be awarded a doctorate in the chemical sciences in the 1960’s. Students will read 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.
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Physical Properties, Covalent Bonding, Electronegativity, Polarity, Molecular Geometry, Intermolecular Forces, Solubility | Middle School, High School
Activity: The Chemistry of Water Video Questions Mark as Favorite (48 Favorites)
In this activity, students will watch a video and answer questions about how the molecular geometry and polarity of water give rise to many of its unusual physical properties, including its relatively high boiling point and its ability to dissolve some substances but not others.
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pH, Acid Base Reactions, Acid & Base Theories, Strong vs Weak, History | Middle School, High School
Activity: What are Acids & Bases? Video Questions Mark as Favorite (28 Favorites)
In this activity, students will watch a video and answer questions about acids and bases. They will learn about characteristics of acids and bases, the pH scale, and the role of acids in biochemistry.
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Periodic Table, Introduction, History, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, Electrons, Valence Electrons | Middle School, High School
Activity: How the Periodic Table Organizes the Elements Video Questions Mark as Favorite (79 Favorites)
In this activity, students will watch a video and answer questions about the organization of the periodic table. They will learn about how the elements on the periodic table are organized and what their location on the table can tell us about them.
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Isotopes, Atoms, Electrons, Subatomic Particles, Elements, History, Introduction, Review, Alpha/Beta/Gamma Decay, Radioactive Isotopes | Middle School, High School
Activity: What are Isotopes? Video Questions Mark as Favorite (62 Favorites)
In this activity, students will watch a video and answer questions about isotopes. They will learn about the discovery of isotopes, the difference between chemical and nuclear reactions, different kinds of radioactive decay, and some uses of radioactive isotopes.
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Conductivity, Observations, Electricity | Middle School
Demonstration: Getting Charged Mark as Favorite (0 Favorites)
In this demonstration, students will make predictions and then observe how conductivity is measured in several electrolyte and nonelectrolyte solutions. A short discussion about electrolytes, ions, ionic compounds, and galvanic cells will follow.
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Activity Series, Electrons, Electrons, Electron Transfer, Atoms, Ions, Chemical Change | High School
Activity: Game Activity: Activity Series Game Mark as Favorite (3 Favorites)
In this game, students will explore the activity series of metals by observing interactions between metals and metal ions. The game starts with a brief tutorial followed by a “capture the flag” game where students “steal” electrons based on the activity series. Then students play a pong-style game based on reactivity to earn points. Finally, there are two extension activities for students to view videos of real-world reactions and create particle models of these reactions.
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Ionic Bonding, Naming Compounds, Intramolecular Forces, Ions, Electrostatic Forces, Polyatomic Ions | High School
Activity: Constructing Ionic Compounds Mark as Favorite (113 Favorites)
In this activity, students will use cards of different size and color as models for different types of ions. They will use the cards to construct ionic compounds by balancing the charges on cations and anions. Students will be able to write formulas and names for ionic compounds.