Metals are grouped according to their characteristics. This video segment uses the periodic table for an in-depth discussion.
Students will observe and perform experiments with the elements sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur and phosphorus. Conclusions will be made about trends down groups, across periods and relating to acidity/basicity of metal oxides vs. nonmetal oxides
This activity is a classroom lab where students will conduct a controlled activity resulting in the growth of salt crystals, showing a dramatic physical change.
This activity requires students to design an experiment to determine the best conditions for growing crystals. Students then are asked to conclude what the ideal conditions may be, how this information is useful, and who may want to know it. It is a great way to continue using scientific process skills within a Geology unit.
Students use gumdrops and toothpicks to make lithium atom models. Using these models, they investigate the makeup of atoms, including their relative size. Students are then asked to form molecules out of atoms, much in the same way they constructed atoms out of the particles that atoms are made of. Students also practice adding and subtracting electrons from an atom and determining the overall charges on atoms.
Compiled by Kyle Gray, University of Akron, 'krg10@uakron.edu' and David N. Steer, University of Akron, 'steer@uakron.edu'
The half-life of an isotope is the time on average that it takes for half of the atoms in a sample to decay. As an isotope decays, it can transform through a number of elements until they end up as a stable isotope. In this activity, candy will be used to demonstrate the process of “half life”.
In this ZOOM video segment, join Hana as she learns traditional Japanese drumming with her Taiko group.
In this video adapted from the National Science Center, observe a demonstration to discover how helium gas is inert and hydrogen gas is reactive.
This inquiry lab activity allows the students to explore limiting reagents with a simple acid and base reaction.
This activity helps students understand how mixtures are formed. They will make predictions regarding the rate of mixing. Students should report that the variation of heated water and crushed sugar creates the shortest mixing time.
This illustrated essay from A Science Odyssey Web site explains the science behind radio waves, including the role of electrons and electromagnetic fields.
In this video segment adapted from Shedding Light on Science, observe demonstrations of the fundamental idea that light travels in straight lines.
Spreadsheets Across the Curriculum module. Students build a spreadshet to calculate grams solute to add to liters solvent to produce solution of desired concentration (mol/L).
In this fast-paced NASA Brain Bites_íěÖ video, an astronaut demonstrates the impact of microgravity on the use of tools in space.
SSAC Physical Volcanology module. Students build a spreadsheet to calculate velocity of rising magma in steady-state Plinian eruptions using conservation of mass and momentum.
This video segment adapted from the Space Telescope Science Institute shows what the Hubble telescope found when it stared at a single, nearly empty spot in the sky for 10 days in 1995. The unexpected result was a picture of a multitude of galaxies stretching into the distance.
This lab exercise exposes students to a potentially new alternative energy source hydrogen gas. Student teams are given a hydrogen generator and an oxygen generator. They balance the chemical equation for the combustion of hydrogen gas in the presence of oxygen. Then they analyze what the equation really means. Two hypotheses are given, based on what one might predict upon analyzing the chemical equation. Once students have thought about the process, they are walked through the experiment and shown how to collect the gas in different ratios. By trial and error, students determine the ideal combustion ratio. For both volume of explosion and kick generated by explosion, they qualitatively record results on a 0-4 scale. Then, students evaluate their collected results to see if the hypotheses were correct and how their results match the theoretical equation. Students learn that while hydrogen will most commonly be used for fuel cells (no combustion situation), it has been used in rocket engines (for which a tremendous combustion occurs).
During this activity students build a plastic pipette rocket. The first concept will to learn how igniting varying mixtures of hydrogen and oxygen will affect how far the rocket will fly. Second students will observe and manipulate variables to better understand the fundamental chemistry concepts: principles of combustion reactions, kinetics, stoichiometry, gas mixtures, rocketry, and different types of chemical reactions. Finally, students will assess their own understanding of these chemistry concepts by investigating how NASA scientists launch real rockets into space. One follow-up activity would be to investigate and collect data on a launching a heavier object at the school football field.
This lab gives students the opportunity to find the optimum mixture of hydrogen and oxygen as they react on a micro-scale.