Popcorn: Visualizing the Kinetic Molecular Theory
A CAROLINA ESSENTIALS INVESTIGATION Total Time Prep: 20 – 30 mins Activity: 30-45 mins Physical Science, Chemistry Grade Level 9-12 High School Quick Links Close Quick Links Open Quick Links Introduction Essential Question NGSS Materials Procedures Analysis Kit Resources Introduction Essential Question NGSS Materials Procedures Analysis Kit Resources Introduction Popcorn is a great real-world example […]
Density: An Intensive Property of Matter
A Carolina EssentialsTM Investigation Total Time: 65-80 mins Prep: 20 mins | Activity: 45-60 mins Physical Science, Chemistry 6-8 Middle School Total Time: 65-80 minutes [ Prep: 20 mins | Activity: 45-60 mins ] Subject: Physical Science, Chemistry Grade: Middle School Overview This activity has students collect mass and volume data for different samples of […]
A Visual Introduction to Ionic and Net Ionic Equations
A CAROLINA ESSENTIALS INVESTIGATION Total Time Prep: 30 mins Activity: 45-60 mins Physical Science, Chemistry Grade Level 9-12 High School Quick Links Close Quick Links Open Quick Links Introduction Essential Question NGSS Materials Procedures Analysis Kit Resources Introduction Essential Question NGSS Materials Procedures Analysis Kit Resources Introduction This activity explores the phenomenon of chemical precipitation […]
Law of Conservation of Mass
A CAROLINA ESSENTIALS INVESTIGATION Total Time Prep: 30 mins Activity: 30 mins Physical Science Grade Level 9-12 High School Quick Links Close Quick Links Open Quick Links Introduction Essential Question NGSS Materials Procedures Analysis Kit Resources Introduction Essential Question NGSS Materials Procedures Analysis Kit Resources Introduction This inquiry investigation of the law of conservation of […]
MOM’s Acid-Base Chemistry
Introduction In this experiment, students react milk of magnesia with vinegar to study acid-base chemistry, chemical equilibrium, solubility, and heat of neutralization. Milk of magnesia (MOM), which still finds wide use as a laxative and antacid, is a suspension of magnesium hydroxide in water. The suspended particles of magnesium hydroxide give MOM its characteristic milky-white […]
Carbon-Carbon Multiple Bonds: Structure and Function
A Carolina EssentialsTM Activity Total Time: 45-60 mins Prep: 15 mins | Activity: 30-45 mins | Research: 120 min Physical Science | Chemistry 9-12 High School Overview This is a modeling activity designed for pairs of students where students use molecular models to construct a simple 2-carbon alkane, then convert it to a 2-carbon alkene […]
Carbon Snake
A Carolina EssentialsTM Demonstration Total Time: 15 mins Prep: 15 mins | Activity: 10-15 mins Life Science 8-12 Middle/High School Overview During this teacher-directed demonstration of an exothermic reaction, students observe the dehydration of a carbohydrate using concentrated sulfuric acid. Use the demonstration to illustrate topics such as reaction kinetics, organic reaction types, and energy […]
Equilibrium and Milk of Magnesia Rainbow
A Carolina EssentialsTM Demonstration Total Time: 15-20 mins Prep: 20 mins | Activity: 15-20 mins Chemistry 9-12 High School Overview This demonstration shows a colorful reaction that is a good introduction to Le Châtelier’s principle, solubility, stoichiometry, neutralization reactions, and reaction rates. The demonstration uses readily available chemicals, is easy to set up and perform, […]
Thermochemistry: An Endothermic Reaction
A Carolina EssentialsTM Demonstration Total Time: 10 mins Prep: 15 mins | Activity: 10 mins Physical Science 6-12 Middle/High School Overview In this thermochemistry demonstration, students observe an extreme, spontaneous endothermic reaction between 2 solid compounds, measure changes in temperature, and make observations. The demonstration may be used with physical science or chemistry students as […]
A Model for Heat Capacity of Metals
A Carolina EssentialsTM Activity Total Time: 60-70 mins Prep: 15 mins | Activity: 45-55 mins Physical Science | Chemistry 9-12 High School Overview This simple activity models how kinetic energy is transformed into heat or thermal energy on the particle level. Additionally, by comparing data for 3 different metals—aluminum, copper, and lead—students construct a model […]