Classroom Resources: Chemistry Basics
1 – 20 of 20 Classroom Resources
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Balancing Equations, Classification of Reactions, Chemical Change, Identifying an Unknown, Molarity, Concentration | High School
Lab: An Environmental Impact Study
In this lab, students will test a water sample which comes from a local zoo, where, it is reported that many bird eggs are not hatching. Students will test the water for the presence of multiple ions. Once the type of ion in the water is determined, students will write balanced equations to illustrate their findings. Students will also conduct a serial dilution to determine the concentration, or molarity, of the ion in the water sample. This molarity will be compared to known values to determine if the materials in the water are at an unhealthy level.
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Density, Identifying an Unknown, Measurements | Elementary School, Middle School
Demonstration: Household Densities
In this demonstration, students will make predictions about various household materials and whether or not each will sink or float when placed in water. Data will be collected and then used to calculate the density value of each item. Finally students will analyze the relationship between the density value and the observed outcome, and use their knowledge to identify unknown materials.
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Elements, Identifying an Unknown, Atomic Spectra, Emission Spectrum, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Emission Spectrum | Middle School, Elementary School
Lesson Plan: Elements Are Out of This World
In this lesson, students will learn about the elements that make up Earth’s atmosphere and lithosphere and then compare and contrast the information with the elements that compose various other astronomical objects.
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Percent Composition, Mole Concept, Identifying an Unknown, Emission Spectrum | High School
Lesson Plan: Chemical Analysis of Martian Rocks
In this lesson, students are challenged to analyze the spectral graphs obtained by the Curiosity Mars Rover. Based on their examination students will determine the component elements of each sample, as well as the relative abundance of each element. With this information the student will complete calculations to find the empirical formula and identify the composition of the unknown rock. Finally students will complete research to see if these rocks are actually like those on Earth.
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Calorimetry, Specific Heat, Identifying an Unknown | High School
Lab: The Search for a Hit and Run Suspect
In this lab, students will determine the specific heat capacity of multiple unknown metal samples through collecting data and completing calorimetric calculations. Students will take on the role of a forensic investigator and use their results to help them determine if a suspect’s vehicle was potentially involved in a hit and run incident.
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Electromagnetic Spectrum, Atomic Spectra, Electrons, Identifying an Unknown | High School
Lab: The Case of the Contaminated Well
In this lab, students will observe the colors produced when different metal salt solutions are heated in a flame. Students will take on the role of a forensic investigator and use their results to help them determine if collected evidence was contaminated.
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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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Indicators, Identifying an Unknown | Middle School, High School
Lab: Indicators of Acids and Bases
In this lab, students will use various indicators to identify unknown (clear) solutions as acidic, basic, or neutral.
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Atomic Spectra, Emission Spectrum, Emission Spectrum, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Interdisciplinary, Identifying an Unknown | Middle School, High School
Lab: Spectral Detective
In this lab, students will use a spectroscope to view the atomic spectra of various unknown elements. Using their collected data in combination with known atomic spectra, they will identify the chemical elements.
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Periodic Table, History, Identifying an Unknown | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Video: Cadmium Video
In this video, Sam Kean tells stories about cadmium.
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Periodic Table, History, Identifying an Unknown | Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Video: Arsenic Video
In this video, Sam Kean tells stories about arsenic, a deadly element that was once referred to as the "Inheritance Powder".
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Physical Change, Chemical Change, Identifying an Unknown, Acid Base Reactions | Middle School
Lab: Is It a Hoax
In this lab, students will perform tests on the physical and chemical properties of different substances to determine the identity of the unknown.
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Identifying an Unknown, Culminating Project, Classification of Reactions | High School
Lab: The Culminating Unknown
In this lab, students identify an unknown from a list of 12 possible compounds by designing a procedure and using evidence to prove their claim. They must draw from knowledge gained throughout the year to properly develop a procedure to identify the unknown.
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Chemical Change, Conservation of Matter, Identifying an Unknown, Culminating Project, Elements | Middle School
Lab: Priestley Labs
In this lab, students will identify an unknown gas based on experimental evidence.
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Atomic Spectra, Emission Spectrum, Emission Spectrum, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Interdisciplinary, Identifying an Unknown | Middle School, High School
Lab: Build a Spectroscope
In this lab, the students will make and use a spectroscope to identify the spectra within various types of light bulbs. The students will then develop an improved design for the spectroscope.
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Chemical Change, Identifying an Unknown, Physical Properties, Chemical Properties, Chemical Change | High School
Lab: As Easy as Pie
In this lab, students will use chemical and physical properties to identify an unknown powder.
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Percent Composition, Identifying an Unknown, Net Ionic Equation, Atomic Mass | High School
Lab: Analysis of Carbonate Compounds
In this lab, students identify three unknown substances by measuring the amount of product (CO2) produced by a reaction with hydrochloric acid.
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Periodic Table, Identifying an Unknown, Introduction | High School
Activity: Aliens Activity
In this activity, students organize alien cards into groups and periods following trends, similar to how the periodic table is put together.
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Physical Change, Chemical Change, Solute & Solvent, Observations, Inferences, Physical Change, Identifying an Unknown | Elementary School
Lesson Plan: Alien Invasion?
In this lesson, students will explore both physical and chemical changes as they try to help the Department of Homeland Security analyze and identify materials found in a mysterious capsule. Students will examine and observe an unknown object (a frozen water balloon) as it changes (melts). They then mix combinations of everyday substances to observe chemical changes.
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Periodic Table, Introduction, Elements, Identifying an Unknown | High School
Activity: Make a Periodic Table
In this activity students use imaginary elements to create a periodic table based on the known properties of those elements.