electrostatic interactions

Modeling the Concept of Ionic Bonding

When describing abstract concepts like chemical bonding, it always seems to feel far too easy for both teachers and students to resort to the “wants” and “needs” of atoms. After all, we understand what it means to want, need, or like something, so it often feels appropriate (and easier) to use a relatable metaphor or subtly anthropomorphize these atoms to accommodate our students’ current reasoning abilities. While predicting the types of bonds that will form and the general idea behind how atoms bond can be answered correctly using such relatable phrases or ideas, the elephant in the room still in remains—do our students really understand why these atoms bond? 

Electrostatic attraction of distilled water

The electrostatic attraction of distilled water is observed by bringing a charged bakelite rod and a charged glass rod near to a thin stream of the liquid flowing from a buret.

Electrostatic attraction of ethanol

The electrostatic attraction of ethanol is observed by bringing a charged bakelite rod and a charged glass rod near to a thin stream of the liquid flowing from a buret.

Electrostatic attraction of acetone

The electrostatic attraction of acetone is observed by bringing a charged bakelite rod and a charged glass rod near to a thin stream of the liquid flowing from a buret.

Electrostatic attraction of dichloromethane

The electrostatic attraction of dichloromethane is observed by bringing a charged bakelite rod and a charged glass rod near to a thin stream of the liquid flowing from a buret.