Ionic Speed Dating

This activity is used as a reinforcement activity following my use of JCE Classroom Activity #113: An Interlocking Building Block Activity in Writing Formulas of Ionic Compounds. It could be used as a stand alone activity to support writing ionic formulas and names.

Concepts: 
formulas
ionic bonding
Concepts: 

Writing formulas and names of ionic compounds.  Combining ions to form a neutral formula unit. There must be a specific cation and a specific anion for each formula unit.

Procedure time: 
15 minutes
Prep time: 
60 minutes
Time required: 

Twenty minutes.

Materials: 

Blue building blocks to represent cations & Red building blocks to represent anions.

For one set each of A – D as described in the table below, you will need

  • Blue: three 3 x 1, nine 2 x 1, nine 1 x 1
  • Red: six 3 x 1, eight 2 x 1, nine 1 x 1
Procedure: 

Work with a partner. Create a table like the one below. (A sample set of data has been provided.)

Set CATION # of cation(s) ANION # of anion(s) FORMULA NAME
X Aluminum 2 Oxygen 3 Al2O3 Aluminum Oxide
             
             

There are several stations set up around the room. You will have two minutes per station to find ions that work together to make compounds.

Cations = Blue    Anions = Red

  • Select a cation and an anion from the ions provided.
  • Write the symbol for the cation in the CATION column.
  • Write the symbol for the anion in the ANION column. (Remember that ions have charges…so you should show them with their symbol.)
  • Put your cations and anions together so that they make a neutral compound (their charges add up to zero). Every formula unit will have a red line of blocks and a blue line of blocks.
  • Record the number of cation pieces and the number of anion pieces that were required to make the compound.
  • Write the formula of the compound you put together in the FORMULA column.
  • Disassemble the formula unit. You may use these ions in new combinations.
  • When time is up, move to the next set of ions.

Make sure that both of your names are on the table you submit for a grade.

Preparation: 

one hour to create the sets using building blocks, baggies and permanent marker.

Attribution: 

Ruddick, Kristie R. and Parrill, Abby L. An Interlocking Building Block Activity in Writing Formulas of Ionic Compounds, Journal of Chemical Education 2012, 89 (11), pp 1436-1438.

NGSS

Students who demonstrate understanding can construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table, and knowledge of the patterns of chemical properties.

*More information about all DCI for HS-PS1 can be found at https://www.nextgenscience.org/dci-arrangement/hs-ps1-matter-and-its-interactions and further resources at https://www.nextgenscience.org.

Summary:

Students who demonstrate understanding can construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table, and knowledge of the patterns of chemical properties.

Assessment Boundary:

Assessment is limited to chemical reactions involving main group elements and combustion reactions.

Clarification:

Examples of chemical reactions could include the reaction of sodium and chlorine, of carbon and oxygen, or of carbon and hydrogen.

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Comments 2

Carrie Wallace | Sat, 09/08/2018 - 11:05

What kind of blocks did you buy ?

Deanna Cullen's picture
Deanna Cullen | Mon, 09/10/2018 - 11:48

I used standard size Lego blocks, but I think offbrand blocks would be just fine. If you try this, I will be happy to hear how it goes. 

Deanna