gas laws

DIY Vapor Catalyzed Chemiluminescence

Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 07/11/2017 - 11:33

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I recently watched a video in which a chemist (who goes by the nickname “NurdRage”) activated a chemiluminescent reaction by vapor deposition. I wanted to try it out for myself! Unfortunately, oxalyl chloride is toxic, corrosive, and a lachrymator. Thus, the experiment conducted by NurdRage needs to be conducted in a hood, and it is not particularly amenable to simple presentations. I began to wonder how I could create this vapor activated chemiluminescence using simple materials.

Acid, Base, pH and Food Chemistry

Chad Husting | Fri, 06/09/2017 - 06:58

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Students will be engaged in this activity that will help them make the connection between food and chemistry. Acid, bases and pH are addressed.

Gas Laws and the Over-Reliance on Algorithmic Thinking

Ben Meacham | Mon, 03/20/2017 - 14:45

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As our Gas Laws unit was coming to an end, it was time to create the test. As I thought of potential test questions that were both challenging and in alignment with the learning objectives we had previously identified for the unit, I was reminded of a multiple-choice question I had been shown in an old Modeling InstructionTM resource.

Boiling Water, Heating Curves, and Can Crushes

Doug Ragan | Wed, 02/22/2017 - 23:51

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In an effort to better understand my high school students' knowledge of what is happening during phase changes, heating curve calculations, and the ever popular can crush demo, I run them through a series of activities. First, I ask my students "What Temperature Does Water Boil At?"

Chemical Connections to Climate Change

Tom Kuntzleman | Wed, 01/25/2017 - 11:11

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It is becoming increasingly important for citizens to understand various concepts related to climate change and global warming. This post describes several chemical concepts that are pertinent to these issues, in the hopes that teachers of science and chemistry can introduce the topic of climate change into their classrooms and everyday discussions.

Solution to Chemical Mystery #6: The Case of the Collapsing Can

Tom Kuntzleman | Sun, 06/05/2016 - 17:12

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Solution to Chemical Mystery #6 is presented. Also, concepts related to the chemical can crush demo are briefly discussed.

Olympiad Laboratory Challenge Part II

Erica Posthuma | Tue, 05/17/2016 - 20:30

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For my students and me, the AP Chemistry exam does not mark the end of the school year. Once the AP exam is over, my students are exhausted but our class continues to meet for three more weeks. Each year we complete a qualitative analysis lab, but this year we finished earlier than I anticipated. For the first time all year, I have the luxury of time.

The Gas Laws Are Out of This World!

Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 10/13/2015 - 13:01

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A few years ago, we launched a weather balloon during our summer science camp. The balloon reached an altitude of 30 km (100,000 ft)! Among other things, this project ended up being a great way to teach campers about the gas laws and how atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude.