Have you reached your breaking point in looking for great resources that illustrate bond energy? Demonstrate the potential energy changes that occur when polar and non-polar bonds are broken with a stimulating simulation. Pupils pull on paired molecules until they separate and observe how it affects the potential energy of the system.

Concepts

bond energy, polar molecules, polar bond, potential energy

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Use the resource to help students develop a model that shows the relationship between the energy in a chemical system and bond energy
• Be sure to have learners observe how the molecules and atoms behave after they are separated from their partners

Classroom Considerations

• Review polar and non-polar bonds before beginning the interactive

Pros

• The act of dragging the molecules or atoms apart (sometimes having to pull very hard) also helps illustrate the amount of energy involved in breaking bonds
• Resource is well-designed and engaging

Cons

• None