Classroom Resources: Energy & Thermodynamics

1 – 25 of 51 Classroom Resources

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  Observations, Phase Changes, Physical Change, Chemical Change, Specific Heat, Temperature, Heat of Combustion, Intermolecular Forces, Heating Curve, Boiling Point, Heat of Vaporization | Middle School, High School

  Demonstration: Cooking an Egg in Chemistry Class

  In this demonstration, students will observe the very high latent heat of vaporization for water by boiling water over a Bunsen burner in a paper cup to cook a boiled egg. The discussion can be extended to incorporate intermolecular forces to explain the unusually high boiling point of water, as well as heat of vaporization and specific heat capacity.

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  Chemical Change, Exothermic & Endothermic, Temperature, Heat of Combustion | Middle School

  Lesson Plan: Chemical Volcanoes - A Tale of Two Reactions

  In this lesson, students will use volcanoes as a vehicle to learn about the differences between endothermic and exothermic reactions by completing a hands-on activities and observing a teacher-led demonstration.

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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 | Middle School, High 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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  Observations, Inferences, Molecular Motion, Temperature | Elementary School

  Demonstration: How Does Temperature Affect Water Molecules?

  In this demonstration, students will observe models to better understand that temperature affects molecular movements.

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  Reaction Rate, Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Exothermic & Endothermic, Heat, Temperature | High School

  Lab: A Comparison of Two Chemical Reactions

  In this lab, students will perform two chemical reactions, one between acetic acid and sodium bicarbonate and the other between the citric acid and the sodium bicarbonate in an Alka-Seltzer tablet when dissolved in water. Both reactions will produce gas while reacting in a closed plastic sandwich bag, causing it to inflate. Students will observe the reactions and analyze the results in order to understand indicators of chemical changes, heat flow, and factors that affect reaction rates

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  Exothermic & Endothermic, Heat, Temperature | Middle School, High School

  Lab: Energy Transfer Investigation

  In this lab, students will experience several examples of energy transfer. They will analyze their observations and interpret their results in an attempt to explain why each transfer took place.

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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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  Interdisciplinary, Heat, Temperature, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Radiation, Graphing, Experimental Design | Middle School, High School

  Lesson Plan: The Ozone Layer

  In this lesson, students will develop an explanation for the consequences of ozone depletion on Earth by planning and carrying out an investigation. Students will use analysis and interpretation of data to develop a model to explain the cause and effect of Ozone depletion on the planet Earth.

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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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  Exothermic & Endothermic, Calorimetry, Heat, Hess's Law, Entropy, Specific Heat, Temperature, Gibb's Free Energy , Enthalpy, Energy Diagrams | High School

  Lesson Plan: Thermochemistry and Thermodynamics Unit Plan

  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 thermochemistry and thermodynamics to your students.

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  Melting Point, Phase Changes, Calorimetry, Heat, Specific Heat, Temperature, Intermolecular Forces, Heating Curve, Phase Diagram, Molecular Motion, Law of Conservation of Energy, Boiling Point | High School

  Lesson Plan: Phase Changes and Heat Transfer Unit Plan

  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 Phase Changes and Heat Transfer to your students.

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  Physical Properties, History, Temperature, 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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  Temperature, Kinetic Molecular Theory, Heat, Temperature | Middle School, High School

  Lab: Mega Marshmallows

  In this lab, students will investigate the Kinetic Molecular Theory and particle motion while experimenting with a marshmallow. Students will observe how an increase in kinetic energy will cause particles to increase in motion. This concept will be extended into a discussion about additional real world thermal expansion examples.

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  Exothermic & Endothermic, Temperature, 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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  Temperature, Heat, Temperature | Elementary School, Middle School

  Demonstration: An Uplifting Experience

  In this demonstration, students will investigate what happens to air when it is heated.

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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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  Temperature, Heat, Temperature | Elementary School

  Demonstration: Global Warming in a Jar

  In this demonstration students will learn about the cause and effects of global warming. Students will research about global warming, while also comparing it to a demonstration. This will help students to better understand the effects that temperature change can have on the planet.

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  Classification of Reactions, Exothermic & Endothermic, Heat, Temperature | Middle School, High School

  Lab: Determining Endothermic and Exothermic Reaction

  In this lab, students will analyze evidence to determine if a chemical reaction releases energy and can be classified as an exothermic reaction or if it absorbs energy and can be classified as an endothermic reaction.

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  Classification of Reactions, Chemical Change, Exothermic & Endothermic, Temperature, Activation Energy, Energy Diagrams, Bond Energy | 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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  Physical Properties, History, Temperature, Accuracy | 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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  Concentration, Molarity, Stoichiometry, Limiting Reactant, Chemical Change, Exothermic & Endothermic, Calorimetry, Heat, Temperature, Scientific Method, Enthalpy, Experimental Design | High School

  Lab: Less Than Zero

  In this lab, students will investigate the endothermic reaction between baking soda and HCl. Students will consider stoichiometric ratios, molar concentrations, reaction scale, and calorimetry. The lab starts with a scripted reaction that uses given molar ratios, a glass beaker, and 2-M HCl. They will witness a temperature drop of about 5 to 8 C. Students then adjust the experiment so they can achieve a temperature drop of more than 20 C.

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  Observations, Heat, Specific Heat, Temperature, Molecular Motion | Middle School, High 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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  Observations, Inferences, Temperature, Molecular Motion | Middle School, High School

  Demonstration: What is Temperature?

  In this demonstration, students will observe food dye mixing with water at different temperatures.

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  Freezing Point, Phase Changes, Physical Change, Temperature | Middle School

  Lab: Lemon Ice

  This activity explores the interaction between salt and water (ice) as a way to further investigate their impact on the state of matter of a substance. Students will use salt and ice to create a slushy lemonade drink without the use of a freezer. They will learn through this hands-on experiment how salt and ice can rapidly cool a liquid.