Phet: Balancing Chemical Equations

 What is PhET?  These are science simulations.  Once we finish nomenclature and several physical property labs, we’ll tackle balancing chemical equations.  I’ve been familiar with PhET for ages.  I want to see if this simulation helps or hinders balancing.  I have loads of other tricks for balancing, too.  (Ask me about my bottle caps.). But, I want to share PheT.  There are literally loads of simulations.  I registered as a home-school Co-op.  But, there are loads of worksheets teachers have developed independently.  Here is the balancing chemical equations PhET and a sample worksheet.  Try it!

NY Chemistry Regents

 I love the NY Chemistry Regents program.  Whenever I want robust review material, I head to the Regents sites.  Here is a bit of background about the NY State Chemistry Regents.  Regents Chemistry is a year-long course with a final exam.  Here are archives with released exams.  In another life, I consulted in NY.  The teachers attending the workshops brought their own ideas, based on the Units of Study.  For example, NY Regents teachers must teach particle modeling  and  particle diagrams.  Here is an example of particle modeling questions.  Keep in mind, NY Regents teachers are preparing their kids to pass the Regents exams.  But, some of these units can add rigor to your chemistry class.  I’m always interested in how other teachers teach Chemistry.  

MEL Chemistry kits

 I’m bidding on several MEL Chemistry kits.  I have a few I bought through eBay and Good Will online.  I’d like each kid to try a different kit and review it.  Is the kit worth the money?  Spoiler alert!  I doubt the kits are worth the money—especially for a subscription  plan.   Usually, the MEL chemistry kits are available on eBay for $15 or so each.  Since I’m using the kits for enrichment, my target price is $10 each.    Once I have enough kits we’ll launch the labs

.

Conductometer Lab

I was at a training workshop when  I first saw a conductometer.  Teens out wax chips on each spoke or rod and time how long it takes to melt each chip.  Here and here are excellent descriptions and lab ideas.  I have a gas stove; we’re going to see if it works over stereo. The teens load chips of wax on a small dip in the spoke and time how long it takes to melt on each spike.  Each of the five metals, Al, Fe, steel, Cu, and brass, have different properties.  The conductometer is another way to reinforce physical properties. Take a look at the results below.

Chemistry on a Budget: Periodic Trends

 Let me share several resources I use to teach Periodic Trends.  One of the most helpful tools is this Periodic Trends chart.  I use this Chapter, which has descriptions of different periodic trends and share it with the kids.  Right below are examples of Flinn’s Plotting Trends.  Friendly Chemistry has this Link demonstrating how to plot periodic trends with spaghetti and homemade play dough.  Friendly Chemistry placed the play dough under the copy of the periodic table.  I think the spaghetti would stick just like a straw.  No, I don’t think it’s a good idea to stick any play dough on the periodic table located inside the cover of your textbook.

Ionic Compounds Dice

Update: Oriental Trading has 200, smaller,  foam blocks for $4.29 with free shipping.

ChemKate is a popular chemistry teacher on social media.  She posted a TPT freebie, ion dice.  In case you are uncomfortable creating a Teachers Pay Teachers account, the project involves foam dice marked with cations and anions.  Use the Flinn Ion Chart as your source for cations (positive ions) and anions (negative ions).  The kids roll one cation and one anion to write and name the compound.  I’m thinking about making a set.

Hand Warmer Lab Update

 The teens are very engaged testing hand warmers.  Who knew?  BTW Epsom salts and water is cold, not hot—just like baking soda.  We learned that the water gel crystals do not absorb vinegar; they do absorb hydrogen peroxide.  The kids have been testing both water gel crystals and instant snow.  Take a look!

Chemistry on a Budget: Bath Tub Fizzies

Last summer I came across The Chemistry of Bathtub Tints from Vernier.  One suggestion is to measure the conductivity and pH of bathtub tints dissolved in water.  FYI the bath tints contain sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and citric acid.  I pulled out my tub tints and some Alka-Seltzer tablets, which contain sodium bicarbonate, aspirin, and citric acid. My kids will test the pH and conductivity of both tub tints and Alka-Seltzer tablets.  This lab goes well with Properties of Matter or Physical Properties  in Apologia’s Chemistry textbook.  Try it!

Chemistry on a Budget: Colorful Lather Prints!

 Next week, the kids are working through several physical change or physical property experiments, some from the Apologia textbook.  The kids are also try Hydro-dip glass and make Colorful Lather Prints or sumi nagashi.  The lab requires index cards, rulers, shaving cream,toothpicks and food coloring.  Don't buy food coloring, if you don't have any on hand.  Instead, use a little acrylic or tempera paint.  Any aqueous pigment works.  I saved a bunch of recycled glass jars to hydro-dip. The principle is the same; both the lather prints and hydro-dip paint are experiments with hydrophilic  and hydrophobic substances, or polar and nonpolar substances.  Artsy labs have wide appeal.  Give these a shot!

Chemistry on a Budget: Forensics

Chemistry on a budget does not mean sacrificing rigor.  Next week the kids are doing a series of labs about physical properties and physical change.  I like to do a bit of forensics.  My favorite crime lab is the White Powder or Mystery Powders lab.  It’s a qual scheme.  The teens test several white powders with vinegar, universal indicator, water, iodine, sodium hydroxide, and Benedict’s reagent. You could use red cabbage indicator instead of universal indicator solution.   This Mystery Powder lab version uses baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch, and powdered sugar.  The student test these powders with vinegar, water, and iodine.  My kids test the known powders with several reagents: vinegar, Benedicts’s reagent, iodine, etc.  The kids can use the conductivity pens to test solutions made with the powders.  The powder samples are labeled for them or still in the original containers.  I have a set of the same powders mixed up and numbered.  The teens must use their notes to determine which powder is which.  It’s a great lab.  I use Epsom salts, Tums, sugar, salt, cornstarch, Borax, Plaster of Paris, baking soda, cream of tartar, and sodium carbonate.  Use the chemicals you have on hand.  Usually, the teens like this lab.  They feel like real scientists.

Apologia Chemistry and Chemistry on a Budget: Lab Series!

 There are several experiments about physical change or physical vs chemical properties in Modules 3 and 4.  I like to lump several of these experiments together.  Experiment 3.1 measures the electrical conductivity of several solutions with a homemade conductivity probe.  (This link has a lab and detailed instructions for making the conductivity probe.  I bought conductivity pens for about $8 each.).  The kids follow up with Experiment 4.1, Separating a Mixture of Sand and Salt.  I mix Magic sand, iron filings, and salt for the mixture.  The kids follow the lab from the textbook; however, I provide spoons and magnets to help separate the mixture.  I skip Experiment 4.2 because it calls for The Works, which is extremely caustic.  Now is a good time to do Experiment 4.3, Condensing Steam…. We did this during the Heat Labs.  While you have out a hot plate, boil some water to do, Experiment 4.4, Kinetic Theory.  We do a Paper Chromatography Lab, too.  It’s as good time to squeeze this lab in and review physical properties of matter.  This lab explains chromatography pretty well.  I think the kids should graph a heating curve, too.  (This blog post has links and examples.)  My kids are working on nomenclature and hand warmers right now.  Next week, I’ll schedule the Module 3 and 4 lab series while we work on more nomenclature.  Below are pix of the conductivity pen and Magic sand.  

Chemistry on a Budget: Hand Warmer Design Challenge Update!

 The kids are setting up and testing different combinations of chemicals. I have charcoal, iron filings, calcium chloride, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and water.  I have Epsom salts, too.  I’ll let the kids test that, too.  Right now, the kids are combining the water gel crystals with the three liquids.  I instructed the kids to do several trials: charcoal and water, charcoal, salt, and water, charcoal and peroxide, etc.  The goal is a hand warmer which is 30-40 degrees Celsius for at least five minutes.  We might to a cost analysis, too.  So far, so good.

Moles!

 The kids brought in their moles.  My husband judged the winner.  Take a look!

Write your name with elements!

 There is a free TPT activity, called My Name in Elements.  Another teacher posted an example on Social Media, shown below.  I want to use this for electron configurations!

Vernier Video Physics App

 Physics is NOT my subject.  My husband, Rob, teaches Physics to the local Co-op.  This week, he is doing a catapult lab and using Vernier’s Video Physics app to model the trajectory of the projectile.  (The app costs $4.99.)   Here is the user manual for the app.  Below is a video from Vernier with an overview.  See what you think!

Family Science: Secret Messages!

 Let’s write secret message.  You probably are familiar with Lemon Juice Secret Messages or invisible ink.    My favorite is phenolphthalein invisible ink. Phenolphthalein is a available from Home Science Tools.  Have you heard about Secret Messages with Elmer’s Glue Sticks?  Cool, right? Hey!  It is very budget friendly!  I’m saving this idea for science camp!

Chemistry on a Budget: Microscale Equipment

 The Royal Society of Chemistry has several resources for microscale chemistry.  Microscale means using drops of chemicals instead of beakers of solutions.  This approach is both cheaper and safer.  You may recall using liters of corrosive acids in chem lab.  RSC has this page of microscale equipment, including how to cut a pipette into a tiny spatula.  Here is another article with tools, such as drinking straw scoop, for microscale with a few labs.  Try a few labs before you commit.  I like this Small Scale Lab Manual to use for labs.  But, most of the time, I just use drops instead of mL for lab.  If one uses five mL, substitute five drops.  The kids get the same experience, just on a smaller scale.

Chemical Reactions: Budget Version

You can do fun labs with household chemicals.  One of the best sources for safe and frugal chemical reactions is here, a unit from ACS designed for Middle School teachers.  The module has lessons, videos, experiments, lab worksheets, and Student Reading lessons.  Before you tackle Module 5 in Apologia Chemistry, run through these reactions with your teen.  Here is the complete list of materials needed to perform all of the experiments.  Cream of tartar is in the spice aisle at your grocery.  Usually citric acid is also among spices.  Sometimes it is located  with canning supplies.  Home Science Tools sells copper II sulfate and universal indicator.  Magnesium sulfate is Epsom salts and calcium chloride is Driveway Heat.  Don’t buy commercial hand warmers or instant cold packs.   Instead, just do the experiments.   Look at the list and send your kids on a scavenger hunt to locate the supplies you already have around the house.

Apologia Chemistry: Module 5 Experiment 5.1 Measure Width of a Molecule

 Experiment 5.1 is hard.  During the COVID quarantine, I taught Chem remotely.  I made this slideshow and the video below.  I also spent hours and hours online working with kids individually.  Once we do this lab in class, I’ll post a few tips.  The slideshow has the lab steps and calculations.  One tip is to use a large bowl and cover the surface of the bowl of water with a THIN layer of black pepper.   This lab is both inexpensive and academically rigorous.  Ideally, repeat the lab three times and average the results.  

Chemistry on a Budget: More Challenges!

I’m always looking for new ideas for my Co-op Chem class.  I want these ideas to be affordable and use household products; moreover, these challenges should appeal to your family to try as a project, such as the Mighty Seltzer Rocket or Having a Ball with Chemistry and Engineeriing, i.e. make bouncy balls.  

Here and here are instructions for the Cool Off Challenge, which uses rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, and clear carbonated beverages to test.  What about a Thermos Design Challenge?  

Maybe you would like to try Hot Ice?  Again, this involves baking soda and vinegar to make sodium acetate.  Hot Ice videos go viral regularly.  I’ve tried every lab or recipe, even this chemistry lab, without any success.  Trust me, this is a challenge.

  Another popular challenge is the Airbag Challenge (or here are extensive instructions) using  baking soda and vinegar.  FYI, this lab is High School level Chemistry, Stoichiometry, not a family project.  I’ll keep hunting for more challenge ideas.  Even with budget constraints, I want you to do labs!

Chemistry on a Budget: Hand-warmers Challenge

 Update: Here are a few steps to introduce the challenge to teens.

1. Ask the kids if they know how a commercial hand-warmer works.

2. Show the kids the chemicals they will use to test.

3. Demonstrate  the kids water gel crystals.  Some kids are unfamiliar with these crystals.  The kids are going to isolate the water or vinegar in the water gel crystals to keep them separate from the other test chemical, such as iron filings.

4. Explain that they may use water or vinegar as solutions.  Salt may help activate the chemical choice.

5. Write a plan to test different combinations, such as activated charcoal, salt, and water.

6.  Lastly, explain the time and temperature constraints.

7.  Ask the kids to submit their plans.  The plans should include tests of chemicals with and without NaCl.

FYI, the kids ruled out baking soda.  My class did the Reaction in a Bag lab.  They observed that baking soda and water became colder, not warmer.

My Chem class is going to be working through nomenclature for awhile.  However, I want to do some labs.  My solution is to do Matter or Thermo labs.  The kids will do several labs from the textbook, such as paper chromatography and kinetic theory.  

The kids are also going to do a challenge, Design a Hand-Warmer.  The idea is to do a series of chemical reactions and then test two protocols which stay at 35 degrees C for five to ten minutes.  My teens will do several reactions, first.  I want them to try Steve Spangler’s Homemade Hand Warmer first.  Here, Spangler uses water gel crystals to absorb water.  I think this technique would absorb vinegar, too.  The idea is that the liquid won’t immediately react with activated charcoal, vermiculite, or iron filings immediately.  We’ll test calcium chloride (Driveway Heat), sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), sodium chloride, and magnesium sulfate ( Epsom salts).  I want to offer challenges to extend inquiry-based labs or projects.  Besides, lab is fun!  I’ll let you know how things go.

This lab fits with the Chemistry on a Budget topic.  I’m using household chemicals, activated charcoal, water gel crystals,  and iron filings I have on hand.  Adapt your lab to materials you already have using DIY handwarmer recipes.  

Ionic Formula Lab

 The kids used the Ions Kits, described here, and results from the Ionic Compound Lab to make, name, and write formulas for the ionic compounds formed in the lab.   Whew!  Below is a completed, sample data table and the names.  I made a video showing how the kids use the ion cards and ion chart to write and name compounds.  Aaaarrrgggghhhh!  The kids are all over the place in terms of their understanding.  A few are miles ahead.  A few missed the lab and are scrambling to recover.  Two are miles ahead and meeting remotely.  Sound familiar?  In any case, I hope this exercise is useful.  One caveat: this exercise is challenging.

Build an Atom!

Thank you, Social Media, for another idea!   Have you heard of PhET?  Basically they are science simulations. Here is the PhET activities which correspond to the simulations.  I ran across this worksheet for this PHET simulation, Build an Atom.  Let your teen test the simulation and activity.  Are there glitches or gaps?

 You might supplement the simulation with this POGIL activity, The Nuclear Atom (key).  It’s likely your kids do not need more screen time.  However, the POGIL and atomic simulation will increase your teen’s understanding of atomic structure—or a host of  topics in Chemistry.

Chemistry on a Budget: Reaction Labs

 There is nothing wrong with using baking soda and vinegar or Alka-Seltzer and balloons for inexpensive, chemical reaction labs.  Here is a similar reaction lab with balloons; however, the lab combines a citric acid solution with magnesium sulfate (Epsom Salts), sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), sodium chloride (table salt), and calcium carbonate (Tums).  BTW, this lab from ACS has loads of details to boost your confidence.  Here is an ACS lab with Alkaline-Seltzer, called Fizz Race, from last year’s National Chemistry Week Celebration.  Want more lab ideas?  Celebrating the Chemistry of Art has seven, artsy, mini-labs to try—all with explanations about the underlying chemistry.  Try the Stain Glass Glue as a family.  

ChemX has a good virtual  lab (video demos) for chemical reactions.  Watch these videos before you try the labs in Chemical Change.  I used these labs with my Chemistry class when I taught Chem remotely during COVID.  Look at the list of materials for these labs—all household chemicals.  NB the list has both the common name and the chemical name.  I made chemistry  kits for my kids to use at home with household chemicals.  

How about a series of oxidation labs?  Let’s start with this ACS Penny lab..  Here is another metal oxidation lab with aluminum foil, stainless steel spoons, and steel wool.  Here  is a teacher’s complete guide to corrosion, a form of oxidation, with even more lab ideas.  Grab your safety glasses and get started!

More Tips for Nomenclature: Polyatomic Ions

 Kids have trouble learning Polyatomic ions.  One popular mnemonic Nick the Camel Ate a Clam for Supper in Phoenix.  Yes, you’ll want to use a video, too.  Take a look!

 

Chemistry on a Budget: Nuts and Bolts

 I’m on the hunt for inexpensive tools for Chemistry classes!  With rampant inflation, all of us need to be prudent.  One tool is to use nuts and bolts as elements.  Let’s start with a basic activity distinguishing among elements, mixtures and compounds.  Here is Flinn’s Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures activity. These instructions have suggestions for examples of elements, compounds, and mixtures using nuts and bolts in Petrie dishes.  You could put samples in cupcake papers or just in groups on a table.  Use this worksheet  or this worksheet (with a key) for the lab.  

Nuts and Bolts are useful to teach how to balance equations.   The kids can weigh the totals to help them see that mass is conserved.  They can count atoms, too.  I’ll post more when we learn how to balance equations in a week or two.  I’ve been saving bottle caps.

Chemistry on a Budget: LEGO Manipulatives

Did you know Good Will online lists LEGOS?  I use LEGOS to teach how to balance equations.  Here a version of Reaction in a Bag with LEGOS to teach the differences among elements, compounds, and mixtures.  MIT has developed a unit, Chemical Reactions, with LEGOS, including this Atom Key and Layout Map.  A set of LEGO bricks from the thrift store is much cheaper than molecular model kits.  Start digging in the bottom of the toy box for some LEGOS.  

Apologia Chemistry: Ionic Nomenclature Lab

 Update.  How do we use the Ion Kit with the Naming Ionic Compounds lab?

1. The kids make a chart and check the blocks where a reaction takes place.  

2.  I instruct the kids to write the two reactants, such as Ca2+ and OH-, or Pb2+ and HCO3-.

3.  The kids use an Ion Formula Chart to name the cations and anions.  Ca2+ is with the 2+ ions.  OH- is with the 1- ions on the chart.  

4.  The kids then use their ion kit to form the compound.  The teens may use the data table to help them remember how to build, name, and write formulas, such as Ca(OH)2, calcium hydroxide.  Don’t be concerned when the kids forget Ca is calcium or Na is sodium.   They’re learning a new skill, nomenclature.  It doesn’t necessarily mean the teens have forgotten the names of the elements.  It just means they’re concentration on how to produce the name and write the formula.  

The lab takes at least an hour because the kids are methodical about organizing the cations and anions—week, usually.  I allow another class period to name the compounds from their labs.  I do have extra nomenclature worksheets ready for kids who zip through the task of naming their ions.  I’ll try to remember to video two kids as they work through the process of creating and naming compounds.  Does this seem as though it takes forever?  Yes!  However, I know from long experience, these activities pay off.

We did the naming lab today.  I took pix.

Chemistry: POGIL Nomenclature

 Are you familiar with POGIL?  These worksheets can act as introductions to new science topics.  Here is the sample page with a table of contents.  I’m using this nomenclature activity (Key)  Naming Ionic Compounds,   (Key), Naming Molecular Compounds (Key).  I took a POGIL workshop.  The kids are supposed to work in groups of four and assume defined roles.  Additionally, POGIL is a year-long approach to science instruction.  It originated at the introductory, college level.  Even at the workshop I was appalled at the idea of doing POGIL all year long.  But, I love some of the activities.  I find a little goes a long way.  BTW my teens work in pairs, usually over-thinking and arguing their way through each activity.  Try one!

Chemistry on a Budget: Make Bath Bombs!

 Are bath bombs really science?  There was a post on Social Media of a Chemistry lab doing an inquiry lab with bath bombs.  This is an excellent example of doing Chemistry labs on a budget.  Make and put aside bath bombs as Christmas presents.  Here and here are detailed lab instructions to make bath bombs.  Test citric acid with cream of tartar.  My bath bombs fizz too much when I make them. How does one keep the bath bombs from fizzing so much?  Could you make bath salts instead?  Are there different recipes?  Which oils should be used?  Does vanilla work as a fragrance? Could a drop of tempera substitute for food dye?  Is tempera safe for skin?   How much do the bath bombs cost to make?  Would it be cheaper to buy them for gifts? Bath Bombs and Salts are also economic lessons.  Organize your materials and make this an inquiry-based science project.  (The image was posted in the National Chemistry Teachers Facebook group.)

Chemistry on a Budget: Labware

 I did a deep dive into Amazon's Early Access Deals to search for labware.  There is a glass set of labware available.  I recommend the plastic or polypropylene beaker and cylinder set instead.  I do have two dozen glass, borosilicate beakers, flasks, and cylinders.  However, the bulk of my labware is polypropylene plastic.  Plastic doesn’t break.  Most of the solutions we use in lab are less than 1 M and quite dilute, which won’t etch the plastic labware.  BTW I used plastic when I taught in private and public schools, too!  

Nomenclature Worksheets

 The key to learning how to name chemical compounds is to practice.  Here is a tutorial and worksheet with the answer key.  Here is another worksheet and answer key.  My kids literally practice hundreds of formulas.

Chemistry: How to Name Acids!

 One topic in inorganic nomenclature gives kids fits: Naming Acids.  Below is the song I use to name acids.  Below is a video I made explaining how to name acids.  Hope these help!

Apologia Chemistry: Ionic Formula Nomenclature

 I took some pix today.  The teens did Flinn’s activity: Putting the Ions in Their Hands.  Thursday, the kids are creating the compounds and naming them.  We spent 90 minutes making and naming ionic compounds.  Trust me!  It’s worth the investment of time!  I have the kids complete and correct their answers.  Two of the kids met remotely via Google Meet this morning.  I sent them the links before class.

Just below is a completed example.  One teen met remotely and sent me his pix.  I load the images into Jamboard, correct them, and send back screen shots.  The most common error is omitting the Roman numerals.

  

Apologia Chemistry: Name Ionic Compounds Lab

 I posted the video and links here for the ionic compound naming activity.   Thursday, the kids are doing the Forming and Naming Ionic Compounds lab.  However, the kids are doing an inquiry version.

1. I have prepared and separated several cations,  including Pb+2, Ag+, and Cu+2 and anions, including OH-, HCO3-, and acetate.  I made up solutions with compounds I had on hand.  I ordered silver nitrate and lead II nitrate for this lab.  Both form many precipitates.  Look at the lab instructions for compounds.  Baking soda, sodium bicarbonate, is the anion HCO3-.  Vinegar, acetic acid, is the source for acetate ion, C2H3O2-.  Copper II sulfate is cheap and the source of the copper ion, Cu+2.  I’m using sodium hydroxide, NaOH for OH- ion and hydrochloric acid HCl, for the Cl- ion.  This lab approach immediately reinforces the ionic formula naming activity.

2.  The teens will make their own charts.

3. The kids will use their ion kit to name the compounds formed in the lab.  For example, Pb+2 combines with OH-.  The kids need to write and name the formula, Pb(OH)2, lead (II) hydroxide.  They may use the cation and anion cards and the ion formula chart to write and name the ionic compounds.