Schedule. In the past several chapters we have learned about electronic structure of atoms and about how atoms combine to form molecules and ionic substances.
In everyday life, however, we encounter matter not on the atomic or molecular scale but as the large collections of atoms or molecules that we recognize as solids, liquids, and gases. This unit will focus on gases; in the next unit we will focus on liquids and solids. We are surrounded by an atmosphere composed of a mixture of gases that we refer to as air. Arbor Scientific - Coolstuff Newsletter - Volume 8. The activities that follow represent the exploratory phase of the learning cycle approach.
These activities introduce students to the behavior of gases in different situations so that they may draw their own conclusions before being given formal instruction in gas laws. One of the challenges of teaching chemistry is making the invisible world seem real and relevant to our students. Labs present the best opportunity to demonstrate this, but too often we, out of necessity, begin each lab with a litany of “don’ts” (don’t eat food in the lab, don’t touch the acids, don’t look at the bright light being given off, etc) and it is rather rare that the material we study in chemistry lends itself to an experiential approach.
I put this lab together because I was so inspired by Chris’ “smorg” concept. MAKE HOMEMADE SCIENCE TOYS AND PROJECTS.