analogies

Egg-lectrons and McLewis Structures

Dean Campbell | Fri, 02/28/2025 - 22:13

egg-lectrons-and-mclewis-structures.png

Egg cartons and beverage holders can be used as models of atoms, with their dimples representing orbitals. Each dimple can hold up to two objects such as milk jug caps, plastic eggs, and cup pieces to represent electrons in the orbitals. Partially overlapping the trays by stacking the dimples represents chemical bonding and produces molecular models resembling Lewis structures. The models can be easily made from materials that can be readily found grocery stores and fast-food restaurants.

Models of Chlorinated Hydrocarbons and Dipoles

Dean Campbell | Fri, 01/10/2025 - 21:51

models-chlorinated-hydrocarbons-and-dipoles.png

Explore chlorinated hydrocarbons and dipoles with paper and toy models like LEGO, K’Nex, and Lux Blox! Paper models reinforce molecule polarity lessons, with templates and assignments included in the Supporting Information.

Connecting Light Emissions from Aurora and Other Astronomical Phenomena to Chemistry Courses

Dean Campbell | Tue, 11/05/2024 - 19:26

connecting-light-emissions-aurora-and-other-astronomical-phenomena-chemistry-courses.png

Recent space-related phenomena like aurora and a comet were viewed by large numbers of people. These phenomena can be connected to concepts described in chemistry courses, such as electronic structures and light emission associated with species such as excited oxygen atoms.

Mechanochemistry with Phenolphthalein and Base

Dean Campbell | Wed, 07/24/2024 - 17:11

mechanochemistry-phenolphthalein-and-base.png

Grinding solid colorless phenolphthalein indicator and solid colorless magnesium hydroxide base can produce a reaction that causes the mixture to turn pink.

Demo A Day IV

Dean Campbell | Fri, 02/02/2024 - 15:14

demo-day-iv.png

Dean Campbell uses demonstrations and props to illustrate concepts while teaching his collegiate Materials Chemistry course. Many of the examples described are also suitable for use in high school and collegiate General Chemistry courses.

Unit Cells and Layer Sequences using Dimpled Packaging

Dean Campbell | Sun, 10/01/2023 - 09:07

unit-cells-and-layer-sequences-using-dimpled-packaging.png

Regularly dimpled trays such as those used in food packaging can be used to represent layers of atoms in solid structures. For example, the square array of dimples in transparent plastic mini quiche trays can be used to depict layers within cubic or tetragonal unit cells. Multiple solid structures and ways to represent those structures are described.

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

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

not-playing-full-deck-ideas-electron-counting-chemical-card-games.png

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.

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

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

demo-day-iii-demonstrations-and-props-used-my-general-chemistry-ii-classes.jpg

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.

Algae Connections to Chemistry Classrooms

Dean Campbell | Fri, 03/31/2023 - 09:55

algae-connections-chemistry-classrooms.jpg

This timely post is a perfect fit for the theme of Chemists Celebrate Earth Week 2023! Algae is a rich topic with many possible connections to the chemistry classroom. Algae needs to take in light, carbon dioxide, and various simple nutrients and, though it can sometimes get out of control, can produce oxygen, diatomaceous earth, and other products. It can even fluoresce pink!

A Demo A Day II: Demonstrations and Props Used in My Environmental Chemistry Class

Dean Campbell | Sat, 12/03/2022 - 21:08

demo-day-ii-demonstrations-and-props-used-my-environmental-chemistry-class.jpg

Short descriptions of demonstrations and props that Dean Campbell has used while teaching his collegiate Environmental Chemistry course. Many of these examples are also suitable for use in high school and collegiate General Chemistry courses.