Pingry School
Lewis Structures, VSEPR and Molecular Modeling
A model is worth a thousand words. Young scholars use what they know about the structure of hydrocarbons to build Lewis dot structures and molecular models. Their tasks include multiple bonds, geometric hybrids, and various isomers.
Virginia Department of Education
Molecular Model Building
During this hands-on activity, young chemists build molecular models based on the Lewis dot structure before studying valence shell electron pair repulsion theory.
Science Geek
VSEPR and Molecular Geometry
Many chemistry jokes have no reaction. Presentation begins by explaining what models are and the limitations of various forms before introducing the VSEPR model. Then it outlines the rules for creating a VSEPR model and shows examples of...
Curated OER
Molecular Modeling Activity
Students explore the concept of molecular modeling and differentiate between saturated and unsaturated compounds. In small groups, they identify molecular formulas, complete a chart comparing alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes, and construct...
Curated OER
Summary of Shapes of Molecules
Neatly organized and easy-to-read, this chart summarizes five different molecular shapes: linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, trigonal bipyramidal, and octahedral. It associates shape with electron pairs and atom arrangement, and it...
American Chemical Society
Changing State: Evaporation
Why do experiments require a control? Guide scholars through designing an experiment to see what they can do to evaporate water faster with a instructional activity that stresses the importance of controlling all variables. The second...
Curated OER
Chapter 6 - Bonds
Although there are only 16 questions here, this chemistry handout makes a terrific unit assessment. It queries youngsters on the properties of ionic and covalent compounds, relates bond length tho stability and enrgy, compares polar and...
Texas State Energy Conservation Office
Investigation: Chemical Models
Science teams make models of four different hydrocarbon compounds that we commonly use for fuel. Then they demonstrate chemical reactions that result when energy is produced. This can be used as an enrichment when your class is studying...
Teach Engineering
Edible Algae Models
Sometimes it's okay to eat your science experiment. A hands-on activity has pupils create models for algae to learn about its cellular structure. The best part of the experiment? The resulting juice-filled gels are edible—yum!
Perkins School for the Blind
Building an Organic Molecule
Glucose is a simple sugar and a molecule that can be illustrated through modeling. Scientific investigators with visual impairments use hands-on models to reconstruct the process of bonding molecules. The tools used in this activity are...
Sunset Lake Software
Molecules
View molecular structure for various compounds with three-dimensional color images.
Curated OER
Properties of Useful Carbon Compounds
Nine action-packed organic chemistry exercises are contained in this mini-unit on carbon containing compounds. Examples include constructing models of alkanes, producing aromatic esters, and preparing pigments for paint and dyes....
Science Geek
Basic Biochemistry - Carbohydrate, Protein and Fat
You are what you eat, right down to your molecular structure. A hearty presentation begins with the two types of carbohydrates, simple and complex. Then it details proteins and amino acids. It ends by reviewing the three types of fats,...
Curated OER
Predicting Molecular Shapes
In this molecular shapes instructional activity, high schoolers read about how to predict molecular shapes in molecules based on the number of electron pairs and the VSEPR theory. Students are given twelve molecules, they draw the Lewis...
Curated OER
Geometric Isomerism (Different Geometries)
Here is an interactive presentation on molecular geometry if you have materials for building molecule models along the way. Isomerism is introduced by means of a graphic organizer. Viewers then imitate two molecule models and learn that...
Concord Consortium
Electron Geometry
It's time to whip your chemistry class into shape! Begin your study of molecular geometry with a colorful, 3-D interactive. The resource shows models of linear, trigonal planar, and tetrahedral molecules.
CK-12 Foundation
Expand and Contract
Gaps are essential to engineering bridges and roads. Learners watch a video showing a typical construction of a bridge to see why they're so important. They then manipulate an interactive to model the effects of temperature change on the...
Curated OER
Atomic Structure and Ionic Bonding (A Visual Approach)
Using toothpicks, marshmallows, and round colored sticky dots, physical science enthusiasts build models of an atomic nucleus. For this eighth grade chemistry lesson plan, they play an atom-naming game with the models that they have...
American Chemical Society
Controlling the Amount of Products in a Chemical Reaction
Everyone enjoys combining baking soda and water. Here is a lesson plan that challenges scholars to analyze the reaction three different ways — the real substances, the chemical equation, and the molecular models. Class members experiment...
Royal Society of Chemistry
Shapes of Molecules—Hybrid Orbitals
Take your chemistry class' knowledge of molecular geometry to the next level! Introduce orbital hybridization with a series of related games. Individuals complete a data table in the first activity, then solve Sudoku-like puzzles using...
Royal Society of Chemistry
Complex Ion Shapes
Things are really shaping up! Provide young chemists with polyatomic ion practice using an interesting interactive. Individuals complete puzzles focused on molecular geometry and complex ions.
Curated OER
Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Hot Wire Chemical Vapor Deposition, But Were Afraid To Ask
To wrap up your year of general chemistry, have lab groups compete in a tot wire chemical vapor deposition (HWCVD) competition. With their foundation in chemical nomenclature, stoichiometry, and gas laws, each group completes several...
Concord Consortium
Polarization
This is one cool resource for teaching about polarity! Chemistry scholars observe electron distribution and molecular shape as they select different non-metals and form bonds. The interactive offers two views, surface charge and electron...
Curated OER
Molecular Shapes
In this molecular shapes worksheet, learners draw the Lewis structures of 15 compounds and polyatomic ions to complete the table.