kinetics

Online Activity: Chemical Kinetics and the “Radium Girls”

Dean Campbell | Mon, 12/20/2021 - 12:17

online-activity-chemical-kinetics-and-“radium-girls”.jpg

The classic classroom or lab activity using coin flips to illustrate the first order kinetics of radioactive decay is connected to the tragedy of radiation exposure of workers at facilities using radium-containing luminescent paint. Some of the chemistry related to the contamination of these “radium girls” is explored, with connections being made to the Principles of Green Chemistry and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

What Is the Pressure Inside a Bottle of Soda?

Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 12/08/2020 - 13:01

what-pressure-inside-bottle-soda.png

What is the pressure inside a bottle of soda pop? Read this short article to find the surprising answer to this question, and also to learn how to do an experiment to answer this question for yourself!

NGSS-ify Alka-Seltzer Rocket Activity - With Virtual Options

Stephanie O'Brien | Sun, 10/04/2020 - 16:22

alka-seltzer-rocket-activity-ngss-ified-preview.png

In this lab students are given a film canister, a quantity of Alka Seltzer of their own choosing and any materials available in the room to investigate factors that affect the rate of reaction. They work with their groups to create CER boards and then the class engages in a Glow and Grow session. Tips for using this activity in a virtual setting are offered as well.

Chemical Kinetics with a Smartphone

Tom Kuntzleman | Mon, 11/25/2019 - 12:03

chemical-kinetics-smartphone.png

This experiment in chemical kinetics can be conducted using materials as simple as a smartphone, hydrogen peroxide, sodium carbonate solution, and blue food dye! The experiment is useful when discussing the order of rate laws with respect to reactants.

Why Green Chemistry? Or Better Yet, Why Not Green Chemistry?

Erika Fatura | Mon, 08/05/2019 - 22:50

why-green-chemistry-or-better-yet-why-not-green-chemistry.png

My top 5 reasons for using Green Chemistry in my classroom along with a few examples of replacement labs that follow Green Chemistry principles.

NGSS-ify Alka-Seltzer Rockets

Stephanie O'Brien | Tue, 02/19/2019 - 18:50

ngssify-alka-seltzer-rockets.png

Given a guiding question, students determined what they wanted to test, did the experiment and got their CER boards ready for review. Instead of a regular argumentation session, we had a glow and grow session, where students had to provide positive and negative feedback for each board.

Are Diamonds Forever? A Chemical Investigation

Tom Kuntzleman | Fri, 11/02/2018 - 14:04

are-diamonds-forever-chemical-investigation.gif

You are likely aware that diamonds are converted - albeit slowly - to graphite under normal conditions. Thus, diamonds don't last forever, in contrast to the popular advertising slogan. However, did you know that you can use chemistry to prove that diamonds are not forever? It's simpler than you think...

Introduction to the Concept of Antioxidant - A Demo

Andrea Amato | Thu, 05/31/2018 - 11:42

introduction-concept-antioxidant-simple-demonstration.png

In this blog post, I would like to share a relatively simple demonstration you may use to introduce the concept of antioxidant along with its potential in everyday life.

Disappearing X Lab

Dan Meyers | Sat, 01/13/2018 - 14:19

disappearing-x-lab.png

In the embedded video, I will walk you through a kinetics experiment we use in our Chemistry 2 (and Honors Chemistry 2) courses. The lab is called Disappearing X.

Book Suggestion: The Alchemy of Air

Lowell Thomson | Fri, 01/05/2018 - 03:08

book-suggestion-alchemy-air.png

One of my goals for 2017 was to read more chemistry non-fiction. I accomplished that with three and a half books read. That doesn't seem like much, but given how busy I've been lately it was quite an accomplishment! I offer a brief review of my most recent book here, "The Alchemy of Air" by Thomas Hager.