Did you know that at any one moment in the United States, millions of dollars in circulation could actually be fake? Build commerce and chemistry acumen, and discover the tools needed to spot counterfeit currency.

Concepts

iodine, molecules, currency, ultraviolet light, united states currency, polymers

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• As an extension assignment, have pupils research the origin and evolution of bills as currency in the United States, or the ways in which counterfeit currency can affect the national economy

Classroom Considerations

• Students would benefit from having knowledge of molecules and polymer structures before viewing

Pros

• Also reviews the chemistry of the compounds found in bills
• Customize the online assessment, additional resources, and discussion

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.9-10.5 SL.11-12.5 RST.6-8.7 RST.9-10.7 RST.11-12.7