Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics
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Mixtures, History, Physical Properties, Periodic Table, Atomic Structure, Ions | High School
Lesson Plan: George Eastman, Kodak, and The Birth of Consumer Photography Mark as Favorite (4 Favorites)
In this lesson, students will learn about George Eastman’s contributions to modern day photography, as well as the history and chemistry of photosensitive chemicals through reading an article and engaging in related activities. The activities help promote literacy in the science classroom. This lesson could be easily used as plans for a substitute teacher, as most of the activities are self-guided.
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Observations, Interdisciplinary | Middle School
Lab: Jello Lenses Mark as Favorite (1 Favorite)
In this lab activity students will explore and compare how different lenses made from Jello can magnify text. Student lab groups will make Jello lenses using different sized measuring spoons, small bowls, and cookie dough scoops. They will then observe if the size of the lens changes magnification.
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Identifying an Unknown, Solutions, Solubility, States of Matter, Melting Point, Phase Changes | High School
Simulation: Safety Data Sheets Mark as Favorite (6 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.
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Lab Safety, Introduction, Review | Middle School, High School
Activity: Laboratory Equipment Scramble Mark as Favorite (0 Favorites)
In this activity, students will be challenged to solve a set of scrambled word puzzles. Each scrambled word corresponds to the name of a common piece of chemistry laboratory equipment. After solving each puzzle, students will use designated letters from each word to solve a riddle.
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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 (6 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.
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Review | High School
Activity: ChemConnections Mark as Favorite (16 Favorites)
In this activity, students will complete a series of chemistry-themed word puzzles. There are 10 puzzles of varying difficulty levels in the set; each puzzle provides 16 words which students must categorize into four groups of four items that share something in common without knowing what the categories are. Each puzzle has only one correct solution. Words that have more than one meaning and/or could fit in multiple categories will be more difficult to categorize correctly. Students will then have a chance to reflect on any of the terms or categories that were particularly tricky or unfamiliar to them.
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Review | High School
Activity: Chemistry Emoji Pictionary Mark as Favorite (8 Favorites)
In this activity, students will try to determine the correct chemistry related term, phrase, or item based on a provided set of emojis.
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Elements, Review | Middle School
Activity: Chemistry Pyramids Mark as Favorite (4 Favorites)
In this activity, students will use the periodic table, combined with math and logic to solve several chemistry themed pyramid puzzles. In a traditional pyramid puzzle, there is a relationship between the numbers, which is used to determine the missing numbers. In all of these chemistry pyramids, each element symbol is determined by the sum of the two atomic numbers of the elements directly below it. Students are challenged with determining the missing element symbols in each puzzle, but first must use a periodic table to find the atomic number for each element symbol appearing in the puzzle. This activity is a fun challenge for students and provides the opportunity to strengthen logic and reasoning skills.
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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 (16 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**
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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 (10 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.
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Polyatomic Ions | High School
Activity: Polyatomic Ion Word Search Mark as Favorite (8 Favorites)
In this activity, students will be challenged to recognize and identify common polyatomic ions by name and chemical formula. Unlike a traditional word search puzzle, students are only provided with a list of formulas for 24 polyatomic ions, instead of the names of each. They are tasked with finding the corresponding ion names hidden in the puzzle, and then must match each one with its correct formula.
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Separating Mixtures, Distillation, Physical Properties | High School
Activity: Investigating Crude Oil Mark as Favorite (2 Favorites)
In this activity, students will watch a video and answer questions about crude oil and the process of fractional distillation. They will see how this process effectively separates a mixture and the importance of understanding physical properties.
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Elements, Interdisciplinary, Periodic Table | Middle School, High School
Simulation: What Type of Element Are You? Mark as Favorite (37 Favorites)
In this simulation, students will take a nine question personality quiz to determine which of four types of elements best matches their personality. The accompanying student activity provides students an opportunity to reflect on why their answers led to their final quiz results and to consider what the "personality profile" of other types of elements not included in this quiz might look like.
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Solutions, Concentration, Solubility, Molarity, Graphing | High School
Activity: Concentration and Solubility Mark as Favorite (21 Favorites)
In this activity, students will use news articles and EPA publications to compare Federal drinking water regulations to the concentrations found in Flint, Michigan. Students are introduced to the unit parts per billion (ppb) and compare it both conceptually and mathematically to molarity. As a group, students use data to compare the solubility of various lead salts and perform solubility calculations.
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Elements, Periodic Table, Review | High School
Activity: Clueless Crossword Mark as Favorite (16 Favorites)
In this activity, students will need a pencil and eraser as they are challenged to complete a crossword puzzle without any traditional clues! Instead, students are given a list of element symbols and tasked with determining the element name for each symbol. Then, using the names, they will then attempt to place each one correctly in the puzzle. With only one possible solution, this puzzle can be very tricky!
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Interdisciplinary, Photosynthesis | High School
Activity: Algae Trivia Mark as Favorite (3 Favorites)
In this activity, students will participate in a trivia game created in support of the 2023 Chemists Celebrate Earth Week (CCEW) theme, The Curious Chemistry of Amazing Algae. Students will participate individually or as a team to test their knowledge about algae and related chemistry topics.
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Quantitative Chemistry, Percent Composition, Measurements, Observations | High School
Lab: Dehydration of Hydrated Salt Mark as Favorite (6 Favorites)
In this lab, students are introduced to chemical measurement in a hands-on investigation using a heat source and a hydrated compound. Students will determine the percentage water lost, by mass, from a hydrated compound during the heating process. Additionally, students will analyze and interpret their results in a claim, evidence, reasoning format.
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Atomic Structure, Atomic Mass, Electrons, Ions, Subatomic Particles, Density, Periodic Table, Quantitative Chemistry, Dimensional Analysis, Mole Concept | High School
Activity: A Pound of Numbers Mark as Favorite (21 Favorites)
In this activity, students will review a series of fundamental chemistry questions and select the answer from two choices provided. Upon completion, the sum of all the correct answers will equal the number of grams in one pound. Students can then use dimensional analysis to determine the number of grams in one pound for comparison.
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History | Middle School, High School
Activity: Spellbound Episode 5 Isiah Warner Video Questions Mark as Favorite (0 Favorites)
In this activity, students will answer questions while watching a video from the Spellbound series produced by ACS. Each episode focuses on a different notable scientist, recounting how their interest in science was sparked in their childhood and how they went on to make great contributions to the scientific community. This fifth episode focuses on the childhood of Isiah Warner, who is an African American chemistry professor and researcher at LSU. He has won awards for his decades-long teaching career and for the programs he founded to encourage and mentor African American students pursuing advanced chemistry degrees.
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Precipitate, Reactions & Stoichiometry, Solubility Rules, Balancing Equations, Chemical Change, Chemical Change | High School, Middle School
Lab: Predicting Precipitates Mark as Favorite (27 Favorites)
In this lab, students use solubility rules to predict which chemical reactions will produce precipitates.