The United States is the world's largest producer of biofuel. During an in-class investigation, young scientists produce their own biodiesel. They burn a sample of it to determine the heat of combustion. Then they discuss the results...

Only 10 percent of an incandescent bulb's energy is used to create light; the remaining 90 percent is heat. In the unit of activities, young chemists examine energy through hands-on activities, videos, discussions, and readings. Scholars...

Brief, but brilliant, this little animation investigates the properties of fire. From its color and recipe, to the shape of a flame, find out what you always wanted to know about fire. This makes an enlightening addition to your physical...

In session one, demonstrate for your class how a flame eventually goes out when enclosed in a jar in order to teach that oxygen is required for combustion. In session two, class members then burn sugar in a spoon to observe how it...

The details of a combustion reaction are described in this detailed video. Fantastic graphics and narration are included.

Accomplished chemistry learners set up a calorimeter and measure the energy released by various alcohols: methanol, ethanol, and either propanol or butanol. Lab masters will first need to design their own tables for recording data....

As to be expected from the American Chemical Society Olympiad Examinations Task Force, this 60-question test tops the charts in terms of excellence. It consists entirely of multiple choice questions designed to assess a year's worth of...

The National Chemistry Olympiad exams are comprehensive tests covering an entire  year of chemistry concepts. You can use them as practice for competing in the challenge, or simply as a review, or as an actual final exam for your general...

Don't just use this as an extra credit assignment! The two scenarios on this handout give microbiology hopefuls an opportunity to practice critical-thinking skills. They apply their knowledge of cellular respiration and the products of...

In this observation worksheet, scientists observe a burning candle and answer eight post-lab questions. Topics include the phase changes occurring during the observations, the role each part of the candle plays in the chemical reaction,...

Here is a copy of a past national challenge exam that you can use in your general chemistry course as a unit or semester review. Sixty multiple-choice questions query learners on properties of matter, stoichiometry, reactions, and...

A variety of topics including reaction rates, combustion reactions, periodic trends, and ionization reactions are included in this exam. Test takers also practice calculating empirical and molecular formulas of compounds.

Learn the facts about types of wax! Partnered pupils determine the enthalpy of combustion for traditional paraffin candles, as well as soy-based candles. The activity focuses on calculations and compares the environmental impact of both...

Waste not, want not! Science scholars explore manure as an alternative energy source through reading and experimentation. Groups construct their own biofuel digesters and observe the process of methane production. The teacher's guide...

Give them permission to burn. Using a tea candle, pairs find out how long the flame will continue to burn while covered by a small glass. Using that information, groups estimate how long the candle will burn under a larger drinking glass...

While well intentioned, human intervention sometimes has negative effects. Learners explore this and other environmental topics as they respond to four free response exam questions. Topics span from the implementation of bioelectric cars...

Less than nine percent of all AP Environmental Science test takers scored a perfect five on the exam in 2018. Learn from the best answers as well as the common mistakes thanks to the College Board. Four questions from the test covering...

What happens when fire is less affected by gravity? Observe the behavior of fire in a fantastic freefall experiment! A video from the an engaging physics playlist explains the relationship between a flame's shape, buoyancy force, and...

If most gases are invisible, how do we know so much about them? Pupils practice associating the name, formula, testing method, and outcome for four common gases using an interactive. Users build on the content of their first puzzles to...

What has more energy than a room full of pupils after a fire drill? This lesson plan! Explore the changes in energy during different chemical reactions, discover why some reactions feel cold and others feel hot, and tackle the concept of...

Pull the trigger on chemical reaction understanding! Curious chemists discover the three basic reaction types using a video from JFR Science. The resource presents each reaction with written and verbal tips and practice problems.