Activities

This activity is an interesting way to engage students before formally beginning the study of Thermochemistry.

Every year, my students struggle with the concept of limiting reagents.

The Diet Coke and Mentos reaction is a common experiment performed in many science classes. This year, I adapted my somewhat free-wheeling “wing it” approach to this experiment to instead have students research, test, and adapt as needed. The students’ goal is to get the highest possible geyser.

Co-authored by Thomas Manning*, Paige Bland* *Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA

Do we all have a unit at the end of the semester that seems to change in depth every year, based on how the rest of the semester has shaken out? In my course progression, that unit is Reactions.

That it was the “Best Class EVER” seems to be the common refrain every year by most every student for 30 years after the Dry Ice Day and this year was no exception! Dry Ice is an exciting chemical to bring to the chemistry classroom because it affords endless possibilities for fun. I have a few fun activities that I do each year with my grade

Co-authored by Thomas Manning*, Paige Bland* *Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA

Co-authored by Thomas Manning*, Paige Bland* *Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA

Heating and cooling curves are important visuals for chemistry students to understand when they are studying phase changes and thermal energy.

Hang on to your hats, folks! We are about to enter my longest notebook unit of the year: Bonding. This unit is massive with 6 two page spreads. Read on to see my discussion of pros and cons of splitting it into two units versus keeping it as one big unit.