Classroom Resources: Energy & Thermodynamics
26 – 50 of 54 Classroom Resources
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Periodic Table, Elements, Introduction, Temperature | High School
Activity: An Element Fill-In Puzzle
In this activity, students will solve a puzzle by using element symbols from the periodic table to fill-in missing letters in familiar chemistry terms related to energy and thermodynamics.
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Introduction, Interdisciplinary, History, Heat, Renewable Energy, Polymers, Molecular Structure | Middle School, High School
Activity: The Frontiers of Chemistry: Video Questions
In this activity, students will answer questions while watching a video about several exciting scientific developments, including solar cells, 3D printing and micro machines. This video will help students understand that fundamental chemistry concepts are essential to the advancement of science and technology.
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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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Exothermic & Endothermic, Law of Conservation of Energy, Temperature, Bond Energy | High School
Project: Thermochemistry Infographic
In this project, students will apply the principles of thermochemistry and thermodynamics to explain real world phenomena by creating an infographic using web based tools.
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Molecular Structure, Molecular Geometry, Polymers, Electronegativity, Heat, Temperature, Electricity | Middle School, High School
Video: The Future of Paint Video
This video explores the fascinating and innovative scientific advancements of paint. Students will learn how the molecular components in paint are helping to evolve in the world around them. Futuristic paint is capable of replacing light switches, conducting electricity, and regulating temperature amongst other things!
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Electromagnetic Spectrum, Identifying an Unknown | Middle School, High School
Video: Color Matching Paint Video
This video explains how technology, specifically focusing on spectrophotometry, can be used for paint matching. Students will learn how the spectrophotometer interacts with the spectrum of visible light in order to match or reproduce specific paint colors.
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Mixtures, Solute & Solvent, Intermolecular Forces, Intermolecular Forces, Molecular Formula, Molecular Structure, Polymers, Electromagnetic Spectrum | Middle School, High School
Video: What is Paint? Video
This video investigates the composition of paint, while analyzing the fundamental chemistry principles of its main components. Students will learn about the differences between three common paint types, water colors, oil-based and acrylic paint as well as the chemistry of each.
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Electromagnetic Spectrum, Molecular Structure, Mixtures | Middle School, High School
Video: What are Pigments? Video
This video discusses the chemistry of pigment molecules and how they are used to give paints their specific color. Students will learn about the importance of a pigment’s molecular structure, how they are physically suspended to create a paint color, as well as how they interact with light.
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Renewable Energy, Electricity, Galvanic Cells, Cathode, Anode | High School
Video: Hybrid and Electric Cars Video
This video explores the chemistry in the batteries that power hybrid and electric cars.
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Electromagnetic Spectrum | High School
Activity: Electromagnetic Spectrum Book
In this activity, students will create a book that describes all of the individual parts that make up the electromagnetic spectrum.
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Culminating Project, Interdisciplinary, History, Renewable Energy | High School
Project: Understanding Renewable Energy
In this project, students will conduct research in order to become an “expert” on a specific type of renewable energy source. Students will produce a media presentation and a poster board as well as participate in a symposium focused on renewable energy sources.
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Exothermic & Endothermic, Classification of Reactions, Energy Diagrams, Bond Energy, Activation Energy, Temperature, Chemical Change | Middle School, High School
Activity: Simulation Activity: Energy Changes in Chemical Reactions
In this simulation, students will evaluate the energy changes in an endothermic and an exothermic chemical reaction. Through the use of this simulation students will have the opportunity to compare how energy is absorbed and released in each reaction. Additionally, students will make a connection between the standard energy diagrams associated with each reaction type.
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Exothermic & Endothermic, Law of Conservation of Energy, Heat, Temperature | High School
Activity: Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions
In this activity, students observe industrial-strength snap sticks and chemical cold packs and discuss processes of endothermic and exothermic reactions.
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Temperature, History, Accuracy, Physical Properties | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Video: The Temperature Guys Video
This video tells the story of how temperature as we currently know it evolved. The first thermometers invented in the early 1600s are very different than ones we use today!
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Heat of Combustion, Heat, Exothermic & Endothermic, Combustion | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Video: The Internal Combustion Engine Video
This video investigates both the mechanical and the chemical processes used in the internal combustion engine, as well as the history and evolution of the combustion engine.
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Reduction, Oxidation, Redox Reaction, Catalysts, Activation Energy, Combustion | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Video: Catalytic Converters Video
This video investigates the role of a catalytic converter and its corresponding chemical reactions within a vehicle. Students will learn about both oxidation and reduction reactions and how they, in combination with a catalyst, can impact the molecules released in a car’s exhaust.
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Electricity, Anode, Cathode, Galvanic Cells, Heat, Renewable Energy | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Video: Alternative Fuels Video
This video analyzes alternatives to petroleum based fossil fuels, such as biofuels and hydrogen fuel cells.
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Heat, Temperature, Specific Heat, Observations, Molecular Motion | High School, Middle School
Activity: What Makes Something Feel Warm
In this lesson students actively engage in thinking about energy issues in chemistry and the nature of energy (thermal) transfer. The idea that temperature is a measure of heat content will be challenged, and students will be given the opportunity to collect data that will allow them to clearly see that different materials transfer energy at different rates.
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Pros Cons of Nuclear Power, Combustion, Acid Rain, Radiation, Renewable Energy, Radiation | High School
Activity: Town Meeting
In this activity, students will learn about acid rain, gas scrubbers, half-life, chain reactions, and other topics around electricity production through a debate on nuclear power.
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Heating Curve, Phase Changes, Intermolecular Forces, Freezing Point, Melting Point, Boiling Point, Heat of Fusion, Heat of Vaporization , Molecular Motion, Temperature, Heat, Specific Heat | High School, Middle School
Activity: Simulation Activity: Heating Curve of Water
In this simulation, students will investigate qualitatively and quantitatively what happens as water changes states.
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Activation Energy, Temperature, Exothermic & Endothermic, Heat, Equilibrium Constants, Establishing Equilibrium, Le Châtelier's Principle, Reaction Quotient | High School
Activity: Reversible Reactions Simulation
In this activity, students will investigate how temperature, activation energy, initial amounts of products and reactants, and type of reaction (exo- or endothermic) effect the equilibrium position of a reaction using a simulation.
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Atomic Theory, Law of Conservation of Energy, Electrons, Electromagnetic Spectrum | High School
Activity: Simulation Activity: Exciting Electrons
In this simulation, students will explore what happens when electrons within a generic atom are excited from their ground state. This is a qualitative investigation, not meant to mimic any particular atom.
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Entropy | High School
Activity: Entropy
In this activity, students will define entropy and be able to recognize entropy changes in chemical reactions.
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Entropy, Kinetic Molecular Theory, Molecular Motion, Intermolecular Forces, Density, Volume | High School
Activity: Connecting States to Entropy
In this activity, students use blocks to model different states of matter and the Kinetic Molecular Theory to understand the concept of entropy. This is a concept mandated by SAT level or AP level high school chemistry class.
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Pros Cons of Nuclear Power, Radiation, Radiation, Renewable Energy, Interdisciplinary, History | High School
Activity: Nuclear Energy Power Plants
In this activity, students will conduct research and write a persuasive essay in which they state an opinion about whether the number of nuclear plants should be increased or decreased.