1 – 25 of 29 Classroom Resources

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  Colligative Properties, Boiling Point Elevation, Freezing Point Depression, Concentration, Solute & Solvent, Boiling Point, Freezing Point, Phase Changes, Molecular Motion, Graphing, Physical Properties, Heat, Temperature | Middle School, High School

  Activity: Simulation Activity: The Effect of Solutes on Boiling and Freezing Point Mark as Favorite (29 Favorites)

  In this activity, students will use a colligative properties simulation to investigate the effects of different solutes, and different amounts of those solutes, on the boiling point and freezing point of a solution. Students will see particle-level animations of boiling and freezing with different types and amounts of solutes, as well as graphical representations of the results of each trial.

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  Freezing Point Depression, Heat, Phase Changes, Molecular Motion | Middle School, High School

  Lab: Sweet, Salty and Cold as Ice Mark as Favorite (25 Favorites)

  In this lab, students conduct a micro-scale investigation to explore how various solutes affect the freezing point of water. Because of the small volume of liquid used, results are visible within minutes. Students observe what happens to the liquids as they are cooled and use their observations to infer what is going on at the particle level. They will use the results to explain the familiar phenomena of why we salt our roads and sidewalks in the winter and why freshwater lakes and ponds freeze over more easily than saltwater oceans in the winter.

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  Heat, Specific Heat, Phase Changes | Elementary School, Middle School

  Lab: The Insulation Investigation Mark as Favorite (3 Favorites)

  In this lab, students will think critically about the properties, structure and function of materials as they design and build a device used to insulate an ice cube to prevent it from melting.

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

  Demonstration: Cooking an Egg in Chemistry Class Mark as Favorite (6 Favorites)

  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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  Molecular Motion, Phase Changes | Middle School

  Activity: Atoms in Motion Mark as Favorite (17 Favorites)

  In this activity, students will explore how particles that make up matter are in constant motion. The students will use an online PhET simulation to compare the ways that atoms and molecules move in samples of solids, liquids, and gases. This activity will help students improve their understanding of the particle level.

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  Phase Changes, Molecular Motion | Middle School, High School

  Simulation: States of Matter and Phase Changes Mark as Favorite (101 Favorites)

  In this simulation, students will participate in a 10 question quiz. Some questions will challenge students to analyze data to identify the correct state of matter for a specific sample, and then connect the chosen state with an animated particle diagram. In addition, students will examine the behavior of particles in an animated sample as they undergo a phase change, and must correctly identify the change that occurs.

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  Phase Changes, Molecular Motion | Middle School, High School

  Activity: Simulation Activity: States of Matter and Phase Changes Mark as Favorite (64 Favorites)

  In this simulation, students will participate in a 10 question quiz. Some questions will challenge students to analyze data to identify the correct state of matter for a specific sample, and then connect the chosen state with an animated particle diagram. In addition, students will examine the behavior of particles in an animated sample as they undergo a phase change, and must correctly identify the change that occurs.

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  Freezing Point Depression, Mixtures, Phase Changes, Freezing Point, Melting Point | High School, Middle School

  Lab: How does Salt "Melt" Ice? Mark as Favorite (50 Favorites)

  In this lab, students will consider why salt is used to aide in snow clearing and to help keep icy roads safe. They will investigate how salt ‘melts’ ice and determine the best type of salt to do so. Additionally, students will explore the advantages and disadvantages of the various different types of salt.

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  Distillation, Physical Change, Separating Mixtures, Phase Changes | Middle School

  Activity: Distillation in Survival Mode Mark as Favorite (11 Favorites)

  In this activity, students will investigate methods for purifying water as they consider a survival based situation that requires clean drinking water. Students will investigate processes such as boiling and distillation, as well as review the phase changes within the water cycle.

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  Phase Changes, Elements, Mixtures | High School, Middle School

  Activity: Visualizing States of Matter Mark as Favorite (135 Favorites)

  In this activity, students will view, sort and classify pure substances and mixtures into the 3 common states of matter found in the laboratory. Students will also discuss their classification system with their teacher and peers.

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  Polymers, Phase Changes, Physical Properties | Middle School

  Lab: Changing a Monomer to a Polymer! Mark as Favorite (5 Favorites)

  In this lab, students will have the opportunity to see the complexity of the different phases of matter. This lab will allow students to investigate polymers and physical properties, while connecting these concepts to the phases of matter. Students will also better understand that some substances are not easily identified as a particular phase of matter and that some substances can have characteristics of more than one phase of matter.

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  Phase Changes, Boiling Point, Melting Point, Physical Properties | Elementary School, Middle School

  Lesson Plan: Investigating Water's States of Matter Mark as Favorite (1 Favorite)

  In this lesson, the students will identify properties of different states of matter, and then work in groups to model molecular arrangement in the solid, liquid, and gaseous states of water. This lesson will also help students to understand that the change in state as a physical change and how the solid state of water has unique properties.

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  Phase Changes, Physical Change | Middle School

  Lab: I Can’t Believe It’s Butter! Mark as Favorite (8 Favorites)

  In this lab students will learn about the phases of matter and phase changes while making a small sample of butter.

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  Phase Changes, Photosynthesis, Renewable Energy | Elementary School, Middle School

  Lab: Mini Terrarium Mark as Favorite (4 Favorites)

  In this lab, students will learn that even the smallest spaces can have their own climate. They will create a miniature sized terrarium and will observe how sunlight enters in order to warm the air, and in turn heat the soil and seeds. Condensation will build up in the container and the students can observe the water cycle in action, as well as the growth of the seeds over time.

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  Phase Changes | Middle School

  Project: Sharing Matter Mark as Favorite (3 Favorites)

  In this project, students will design a lesson and activity about the states of matter to share with elementary school students. This project embraces the spirit of the famous quote by Roman philosopher Seneca: by teaching, we learn. In order to successfully teach one of the states of matter to younger students, each group must have advanced knowledge of the subject.

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  Physical Properties, Density, Separating Mixtures, Matter, Culminating Project, Interdisciplinary, Phase Changes | Elementary School, Middle School

  Activity: The Castaway! Mark as Favorite (14 Favorites)

  In this activity, students use their knowledge of the properties of matter to create and/or design items needed for survival on a deserted island.

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  Chemical Change, Physical Change, Chemical Change, Scientific Method, Melting Point, Phase Changes | Middle School

  Lab: S'more Change Please Mark as Favorite (10 Favorites)

  In this lab, students will be able to demonstrate the difference between a physical and chemical change by making ooey, gooey, yet yummy S’mores!

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  Freezing Point, Phase Changes, Freezing Point Depression | Middle School, High School

  Lab: Freezing Ice Cream Mark as Favorite (42 Favorites)

  In this lab, students will investigate changing states of matter, chemical reactions, and the properties of ice and salt while creating their own ice cream.

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  Conservation of Mass, Chemical Change, Interdisciplinary, Culminating Project, Phase Changes, Chemical Change | Middle School, High School

  Project: Law of Conservation of Mass Comic Strip Mark as Favorite (24 Favorites)

  In this project, students will work in groups to create a comic strip that illustrates understanding of the law of conservation of mass.

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

  Lab: Lemon Ice Mark as Favorite (7 Favorites)

  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.

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  Chemical Change, Phase Changes, Combustion, Observations | Elementary School, Middle School

  Demonstration: The Jumping Flame Mark as Favorite (5 Favorites)

  In this demonstration, students will observe that the vapor of an extinguished candle flame is ignitable.

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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 Mark as Favorite (88 Favorites)

  In this simulation, students will investigate qualitatively and quantitatively what happens as water changes states.

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  Freezing Point, Melting Point, Phase Changes, Acids & Bases, Physical Change | Middle School

  Lesson Plan: Stearic Acid Mark as Favorite (2 Favorites)

  In this lesson, students investigate how stearic acid undergoes a phase change from solid to liquid and back from liquid to solid. Temperature readings will be collected at one-minute intervals once the acid melts, the heat escapes, and the acid cools. Students are introduced to the idea that energy loss does not always result in a continuous temperature drop.

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  Mixtures, Separating Mixtures, Solubility, Physical Change, Phase Changes | Middle School

  Lab: A Solution to Your Mix-up Mark as Favorite (4 Favorites)

  In this lab, students will perform a step by step process of mixing and separating substances based on their states and solubility in order to solve a problem.

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  Phase Changes, Sublimation, Physical Change, Density, Observations, Temperature | Middle School

  Lesson Plan: Dry Ice Mark as Favorite (0 Favorites)

  In this lesson, students will investigate how dry ice undergoes a phase change from solid to gas, skipping the liquid phase under normal temperature and pressure.