General

Types of Ionizing Radiation Lab and Simulation

Lauren Stewart | Fri, 04/27/2018 - 19:28

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As many teachers are preparing for the possibility of teaching online next semester, we are revisiting posts from the ChemEd X archives like this one that might be of help. The author has updated this activity by adding notes specifically to help those teaching remotely. - Radioactivity is a topic in chemistry that can be difficult to teach. This activity offers a data-driven approach with a simulation students can use in school or in an online learning environment. This can be used to give students an authentic lab experience for them to determine there are three types of ionizing radiation without direct instruction.

Demonstrating the Effectiveness of Mask-wearing with Liquid Nitrogen

Tom Kuntzleman | Sun, 06/28/2020 - 09:06

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We used liquid nitrogen to visualize the aerosol particles emitted while speaking, coughing, breathing, and sneezing. We also tested the ability of various masks to block these droplets.

Lycopodium Powder “Dragon Sneeze” Blocked with a Face Mask

Dean Campbell | Mon, 06/22/2020 - 08:20

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The purpose of this variation on the “dragon’s breath” demonstration is to illustrate that face masks can diminish the movement of particles in the air, an important idea in public health.

Chemistry Experiments with the Flame Tube

Tom Kuntzleman | Tue, 05/26/2020 - 12:37

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The Ruben's Tube (also known as a Flame Tube) is a classic experiment used in physics classes. There's also a bit of chemistry to be learned while experimenting with a Ruben's Tube...

Mt. St. Helens 40 Years Later: Getting More from Soda Volcano Demonstrations

Dean Campbell | Sun, 05/17/2020 - 18:00

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Potential enhancements to soda-based demonstrations of volcanic eruptions are described. Depending on the specific demonstration setup, outgassing of carbonated sodas can represent low-viscosity lava flows or more violent production of pyroclastic materials. These simple demos can be used as stand-alone experiments or in concert with other activities.

The exploding Pringles design challenge: Formative assessment with a bang!

Scott Balicki | Mon, 05/04/2020 - 20:13

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The Exploding Pringles can design challenge is an open-ended formative assessment developed by the ACCT team, which tasks students with designing an explosion that produces the maximum boom within a Pringles container with a fixed volume.

Solution to Chemical Mystery #17: Bubble Buster!

Tom Kuntzleman | Wed, 04/29/2020 - 16:45

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The solution to Chemical Mystery #17 is presented. Were you able to use your chemical knowledge to explain the results?

Chemical Mystery #17: Bubble Buster!

Tom Kuntzleman | Fri, 04/24/2020 - 17:20

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If you know your chemistry, you can figure out how the bubbles get busted!

Pringles design challenge

ACCT Admin | Fri, 04/10/2020 - 10:01

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This is the formative assessment activity entitled "The Exploding Pringles Can Design Challenge" designed by the ACCT project.

Chemistry on Stamps #1

Michael Morgan | Mon, 04/06/2020 - 16:18

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Michael Morgan is the president of the Chemistry and Physics on Stamps Study Unit. He has collected stamps and shared his interest with others for almost 30 years.