The Chemistry of Water Reveal Coloring Books
Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 07/16/2024 - 07:01
How do Melissa & Doug’s “Water WOW!” Water Reveal coloring books work? Let's do some experiments to find out!
Science Practice: Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Exploring Color Separation in Salting-Out Experiments
Tom Kuntzleman | Sat, 05/04/2024 - 07:44
Adding dyes to salting out experiments can create a variety of interesting color effects as the dyes differentially dissolve in the aqueous and organic layers. Can this differential solubility of dyes be explained using intermolecular forces as a guide?
March Madness Element Bracket
Melissa Hemling | Sun, 03/31/2024 - 23:48
In this enrichment activity, students research elements to prove that their element is the most lethal of all in the March Madness Element Bracket.
Drinking Dinosaur Pee?!
Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 11/27/2023 - 10:41
It has been claimed that because all water ultimately ends up in the water cycle, we drink water that the dinosaurs peed out. What does chemistry have to say about this assertion?
Simple, Quick, and Accurate Determination of the Heat of Vaporization of Water
Michael Jansen | Mon, 04/10/2023 - 11:31
This activity allows for the simple and accurate determination of the heat of vaporization, ΔHvap, of water at 100°C, and ultimately the approximate strength of a hydrogen bond in boiling water, in kJ·mol–1.
Making Natural Acid Base Indicators
Ariel Serkin | Wed, 04/05/2023 - 10:22
Ariel Serkin shares an activity she has explored using natural acid base indicators with her food chemistry elective students.
A Student-Led Lab: The Carbonate Project
Erin Woulfe | Wed, 03/22/2023 - 09:43
This empowering activity provides students the opportunity to drive their own lab experience. It allows students to perform research, execute lab techniques and identify an unknown substance.
Chemistry and the Titanic
Tom Kuntzleman | Wed, 01/04/2023 - 09:56
Some metals and metal alloys undergo a transition to brittleness at cold temperature. This phenomenon likely contributed to the demise of the Titanic.
Will a Watched Pot Ever Boil? A Simple, but Effective, Chemistry Lab: Constructing a Heating Curve of Water
GraceAnne Lourie | Fri, 10/28/2022 - 13:07
This lab guides students through taking data and constructing their own heating curve for water. It requires no special equipment, is low prep, is safe, and can even be done at home for homeschool or distance learning. Even though the lab activity itself is relatively simple and straightforward, the concepts still engage students in higher level thinking and gives them important practice with laboratory techniques and forming hypotheses.
Beginning of the Year, Experimental Design and Cell Phone Use
Chad Husting | Fri, 09/09/2022 - 11:18
Use a simple experiment to get to know students, demonstrate experimental design and discuss classroom policies about cell phones.