Classroom Resources: Energy & Thermodynamics
1 – 25 of 44 Classroom Resources
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Conservation of Mass, Atomic Mass, Subatomic Particles, Law of Conservation of Energy | High School
Activity: Building a Nuclide
In this activity, students will construct a model of a nuclide and use this model to investigate why the mass of the nuclide is less than the summative mass of the individual nucleons (protons and neutrons). Additionally, the constructed nuclide will be used to help students conceptualize and differentiate between key lesson terminology (mass defect, strong nuclear force, and nuclear binding energy).
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Heat, Specific Heat, Temperature | High School
Simulation: Understanding Specific Heat Capacity
In this simulation, students will play the role of engineer. They will calculate the specific heat capacity of various materials to determine which ones meet stated criteria and then perform a cost analysis to determine which material to use.
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Heat, Specific Heat, Temperature, Experimental Design | High School, Middle School
Activity: Simulation Activity: Understanding Specific Heat
In this simulation, students will play the role of engineer in deciding which materials are the best candidates for a building project. They will calculate the specific heat capacity of various building materials to determine which ones meet the criteria for building an energy efficient home. Students will also do a cost analysis to determine which material to use in their building project. On the student activity sheet, they will answer additional conceptual and numerical questions related to specific heat capacity.
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Interdisciplinary, Electromagnetic Spectrum | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Animation: The Electromagnetic Spectrum Animation
In this animation, students will learn about the electromagnetic spectrum, with a focus on the visible spectrum. It addresses the relationship between color, wavelength, frequency, and energy of light waves, as well as how an object absorbs and reflects certain wavelengths of light to contribute to the color we perceive.
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Interdisciplinary, Electromagnetic Spectrum | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Activity: Animation Activity: Electromagnetic Spectrum
In this animation, students will learn about the electromagnetic spectrum, with a focus on the visible spectrum. It addresses the relationship between color, wavelength, frequency, and energy of light waves, as well as how an object absorbs and reflects certain wavelengths of light to contribute to the color we perceive.
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Electricity, Polymers, Molecular Structure, Heat, Temperature, Molecular Geometry, Electronegativity | Middle School, High School
Activity: Future of Paint Video Questions
In this activity, students will watch a video and answer related questions about the fascinating and innovative scientific advancements of paint. During the video, Students will learn how the molecular components in paint are helping to evolve in the world around them.
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Identifying an Unknown, Electromagnetic Spectrum | Middle School, High School
Activity: Color Matching Paint Video Questions
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.
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Mixtures, Molecular Structure, Electromagnetic Spectrum | Middle School, High School
Activity: What are Pigments? Video Questions
In this activity, students will watch a video and answer related questions about the chemistry of pigment molecules and how they are used to give paints their specific color. During the video, 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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Mixtures, Intermolecular Forces, Polymers, Molecular Structure, Solute & Solvent, Intermolecular Forces, Electromagnetic Spectrum | Middle School, High School
Activity: What is Paint? Video Questions
In this activity, students will watch a video and answer related questions about the composition of paint. During the video, 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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Renewable Energy, Introduction, Interdisciplinary, History, Polymers, Heat, Molecular Structure | Middle School, High School
Video: Frontiers of Chemistry
This video explores new scientific developments that were made possible by the application of fundamental chemistry concepts. Students will learn about exciting advances in science and technology focused on three main topics: Solar Cells, 3D Printing and Micro Machines.
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Classification of Reactions, Chemical Change, Temperature, Exothermic & Endothermic, Activation Energy, Energy Diagrams, Bond Energy
Simulation: Energy Changes in Chemical Reactions
In the November 2016 simulation, students will evaluate the energy changes in an endothermic and an exothermic chemical reaction. Students will have the opportunity to compare how energy is absorbed and released in each reaction, and will make a connection between the standard energy diagrams associated with each reaction type.
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Melting Point, Freezing Point, Phase Changes, Molecular Motion, Heat, Specific Heat, Temperature, Intermolecular Forces, Heating Curve, Boiling Point, Heat of Vaporization , Heat of Fusion
Simulation: Heating Curve of Water
In the May 2015 issue, students explore the heating curve for water from a qualitative and quantitative perspective. Students compare illustrations of each physical state depicted on the curve and calculate the energy required to transition from one state to another.
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Atomic Theory, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Law of Conservation of Energy, Electrons | High School
Simulation: Exciting Electrons
In the March 2015 issue, students explore what happens when electrons within a generic atom are excited from their ground state. They will see that when an electron relaxes from an excited state to its ground state, energy is released in the form of electromagnetic radiation.
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Renewable Energy, Electricity, Redox Reaction, Galvanic Cells, Cathode, Anode | High School
Activity: Hybrid and Electric Cars Video Questions
In this activity, students will watch a video and answer related questions about the chemistry of batteries as they are used to power hybrid and electric cars. Students will learn about the basics of electricity, as well as how batteries function as a source of electricity.
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Renewable Energy, Electricity, Galvanic Cells, Heat, Cathode, Anode | High School
Activity: Alternative Fuels Video Questions
In this activity, students will watch a video and answer related questions about the alternatives to petroleum-based fossil fuels such as biofuels and hydrogen fuel cells. Students will learn about the pros and cons of various fuel sources, as well as possibilities for the future of fuels.
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Polymers, Combustion, Heat, Exothermic & Endothermic, Heat of Combustion, Molecular Structure | High School
Activity: The Internal Combustion Engine Video Questions
In this activity, students will watch a video and answer related questions about the mechanical and chemical processed used in the internal combustion engine. Additionally they will learn about reactions and fuel types as well as the history and evolution of the combustion engine.
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Renewable Energy, Culminating Project | High School
Project: Sustainable Energy Evaluation
In this project, students will develop a presentation to compare the pros and cons of a sustainable resource. The explanation will involve researching the cost and benefits of the resource and analyzing if the resource should continue to be used.
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Calorimetry, Heat, Specific Heat | High School
Activity: Heat Flow Process Engineering Optimization
In this activity, students will use a team-based approach to solve the problem of upscaling a chemical process from lab scale to production scale for a hypothetical reaction. The project involves thermochemistry concepts of heat and calorimetry, along with conversion factors. The students will use a team-oriented problem-solving approach. The emphasis is placed on data driven decision making.
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Introduction, Elements, Periodic Table, 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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Renewable Energy, Introduction, Interdisciplinary, History, Polymers, Molecular Structure, Heat | 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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Physical Properties, History, Measurements, Temperature, 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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Temperature, Exothermic & Endothermic, Law of Conservation of Energy, 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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Electricity, Polymers, Molecular Structure, Heat, Temperature, Molecular Geometry, Electronegativity | 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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Identifying an Unknown, Electromagnetic Spectrum | 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, Molecular Structure, Electromagnetic Spectrum | 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.