Curated OER
Condensation Polymerization
This organic chemistry lab activity is appropriate for teaching polymerization, percent yield, melting point, or the types and uses of polymer materials. Chemistry pupils imagine that they are working for a company to develop a special...
Santa Monica College
Introducing Measurements in the Laboratory
We use basic units of measurement to break down things and communicate clearly. The first lesson in an 11-part series teaches the proper way to measure various items. It starts simply with measuring the dimensions and areas of geometric...
Curated OER
Condensation Polymerization: Preparation of Two Types of Polyesters
College-level or AP chemists use phthalic anhydride to synthesize two different polyesters, one linear and one cross-linked in structure. A detailed materials list and well-written procedures are provided on a lab sheet. Learners write...
Curated OER
Physical Properties of Matter
Five fabulous procedures introduce physics or chemistry classes to special properties of matter. They discover adhesion and cohesion, solubility, melting and boiling points, and viscosity through hands-on experiences. Tests are...
Curated OER
Ice Cream Lab
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Even high schoolers enjoy making ice cream. This laboratory exercise has them record the temperature changes throughout the process of liquid becoming solid, graph the results, and...
Curated OER
Phase Changes of Water
A micro-unit on the phase changes of water includes three laboratory activities. Junior scientists compare the densities of ice and water, and then they do the same for cold and warm water. They examine freezing and boiling temperatures....
Curated OER
The Frigid Gourmet
Students make a " science surprise" or ice cream in the lab. In this melting point depression lesson plan, students use various substances with ice to determine the effects on the melting point of ice and the ability to make ice cream....
Royal Society of Chemistry
Aspirin—The Wonder of Medicine
What do aspirin and the willow tree have in common? Scholars of chemical synthesis engage in a fascinating reaction to make their own aspirin samples. The lab uses thin layer chromatography analysis, includes stoichiometric calculations,...
Curated OER
Macromolecule Lab
During a macromolecule lab, young chemists perform multiple tests, including iodine starch tests, to determine if eight mystery foods contain lipids, sugars, or starches.
Hazardous Waste Management Program
Molar Mass Determination from Freezing Point Depression
Let the data tell the story. A lab activity has pupils collect temperature data on solutes as they melt and freeze. They use their data to create a cooling curve and then calculate the molar mass using the freezing point depression.
Curated OER
Ice Cream Lab
This very thorough lesson plan has learners collect all ingredients necessary and work in pairs to make ice cream using plastic bags. They take temperature readings and record them on the chart as well as record findings on the...
Curated OER
The Day After Tomorrow: How is the Density of Water Related to Climate Change and Global Warming?
Science learners simulate what happens when ice breaks up and floats on water and how increased pressure on ice causes it to melt faster. They view a clip from the movie, The Day After Tomorrow, and relate their lab activities to what...
Curated OER
Ice Cream: a Taste of Science!!
Students define the term solution. They explain conservation of energy and energy transfer as it relate to how the milk solution became ice cream. Students are able to explain freezing point depression.
Beyond Benign
Enthalpy of Combustion
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...
Curated OER
Condensation Polymerization: Preparation of Thiokoll® (Polysulfide Rubber)
This lab activity is geared toward experienced chemistry learners, in particular, those who are familiar with organic chemistry. They will create a synthetic elastomer and then make observations and measurements of its different...
Curated OER
Condensation Polymerization: Preparation of Nylon 6/6
Students participate in a lab activity in which they synthesize nylon 6/6, calculate the percent yield by mass, identify the polymer as thermoplastic or thermoset, and determine the melting point, density and end-product use of the polymer.
Curated OER
Addition Polymerization: Preparation of Polystyrene Using Two Types of Initiators
Advanced chemistry classes compare the polymerization of styrene using two different initators: benzoyl peroxide and aluminum chloride. Once they synthesize polystyrene, they compare the two producet for melting point and density. There...
Curated OER
Heating and Cooling Curves
Learners experiment with a pure substance and a phase change. In this heating and cooling curves lesson plan, students study the effects of heating and cooling a pure substance to observe a phase change. They determine both the melting...
Curated OER
Density - An Intrinsic Property
Learners discover the property of density while participating in a lab exercise. In this scientific measuring lesson plan, pupils utilize a scale to measure the density of different metal materials. They document their work and present...
Curated OER
Chemistry Lab-Heat of Fusion
Students determine the heat of fusion of ice. In this heat of fusion lesson plan, students use a calorimeter to measure the molar heat of fusion of ice. Students determine the heat required to melt one mole of ice using hot water and ice...
Virginia Department of Education
Molar Heat of Fusion for Water
How can you describe heat of fusion in a way the class understands and relates the importance of this concept to present day issues? In this third lesson of the series, learners conduct an experiment, demonstrating the flow of heat...
Cornell University
Atomic Bonding
Explore the connection of surface area to bonding within atoms. Learners complete lab investigations to model changing surface area with different sizes and concentrations of atoms. A flour fireball demonstration follows the labs to...
Curated OER
Melting Ice is Hot Stuff!
Fourth graders determine the amount of energy required to melt ice using a calorimeter. They calculate the Molar Heat of Fusion of Ice.
Cornell University
The Science of Snowflakes
Who can grow the best crystals? Challenge class members to develop strategies for enhancing growth in the crystals. Through a lab investigation, learners study the properties of crystals and test the effectiveness of different...