two-year college

Chemical Activities Involving Reversible Thermochromic Pigments

Dean Campbell | Wed, 08/16/2023 - 07:17

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The color of a thermochromic system depends on its temperature. The colors of leuco dye-based systems can also be influenced by adding acids or bases to the thermochromic reactions. These can be used to create colorful demonstrations of acid-base chemistry. Thermochromism found in color changing cups can also be used to visualize heat flow, and therefore thermodynamic principles, associated with stretching and contracting elastomers.

Using Information from the 2023 AP Chemistry Reading to Improve Exam Performance

Michael Farabaugh | Sun, 08/13/2023 - 15:56

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Michael Farabaugh outlines mistakes and misconceptions that were encountered during the 2023 AP Reading and offers suggestions for improving performance on the AP Chemistry exam.

Not Playing with a Full Deck: Ideas For Electron-Counting Chemical Card Games

Dean Campbell | Fri, 08/04/2023 - 14:00

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Ordinary playing cards can be used in games where the cards model valence electrons in atoms. These games could provide players with a fun and active way to practice counting valence electrons in simple chemical structures.

Open Source Chem Card Game

Thomas Manning | Thu, 07/27/2023 - 19:15

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Chem Cards is a game including 118 cards, one for each element. It is designed to familiarize students of all ages with chemical terminology so they grow comfortable with the topic and equate it to an exciting, team building experience.

How Do Color Changing Marshmallows Work?

Tom Kuntzleman | Wed, 07/19/2023 - 12:10

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With a little chemical investigation, you can figure out how Jet-Puffed's new color changing marshmallows work!

Nobel Laureate Crossword Puzzle 1961 - 1970

Thomas Manning | Wed, 07/12/2023 - 08:37

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This Nobel Laureate crossword puzzle focuses on prizes awarded between 1961 and 1970. Learn and revisit some historical chemistry, terminology and background on key historical figures in this field. This is our seventh in a series of Nobel Laureate crossword puzzles.

Artificial Intelligence - The Good News and Bad News

Chad Husting | Tue, 07/11/2023 - 10:26

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Chad Husting discusses one way to use ChatGPT in his chemistry classroom.

VSEPR Flat Packs: An Economical Model Kit

Kathryn Rust | Tue, 06/13/2023 - 09:59

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Molecular geometry is a center piece to a student’s understanding of intermolecular forces. Unfortunately, many students don’t have the special skills to “see” the geometry without a model kit. Check out this inexpensive take-home model kit!

Plastic Beverage Bottles and More as Orbital Models

Dean Campbell | Fri, 06/02/2023 - 07:58

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The shapes of plastic bottles can be used to represent orbitals. Using various connectors, a bit of packing tape, and a few other more specialized touches can produce large scale molecular models that feature orbitals, sigma bonds, and pi bonds.

A Demo A Day III: Demonstrations and Props Used in My General Chemistry II Classes

Dean Campbell | Sun, 05/21/2023 - 10:50

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Dean Campbell tries to use at least one demo for every class to illustrate concepts described in his chemistry courses. In this post, he includes short descriptions of the demonstrations and props he has used while teaching his collegiate General Chemistry II courses.