Santa Monica College
Flame Tests of Metal Cations
Scientists used flame tests to identify elements long before the invention of emission spectroscopy. Young chemists observe a flame test of five metal cations in the fourth lesson of an 11-part series. Individuals then work...
Royal Society of Chemistry
Forensic Tests
Flame tests determine if there is a specific metal in a chemical compound. Young forensic scientists review their understanding of flame tests and hydroxide precipitates by solving puzzles. The timed review encourages mastery.
Pingry School
Flame Tests
Light a fire in your pupils! Scholars conduct a flame test and observe the emission spectra of several different salts in an enlightening hands-on investigation. They use their observations to make comparisons and conclusions about the...
Curated OER
Lab Tests, Results, and Sulfuric Acid
You may want to change the title of this chemistry PowerPoint to "Identifying Compounds in the Laboratory." Individual slides explain tests that can be performed to confirm what element you have: carbon dioxide, carbonates, and metal...
Curated OER
Fiber Identification
Lab sheets for three different crime scene investigation activities are tucked into this resource. In the first activity, inquisitors examine a variety of fibers, including the fiber found at "the crime scene," under ultraviolet light....
Curated OER
X-ray Spectroscopy and the Chemistry of Supernova Remnants
This link takes you to a comprehensive unit that delves into emission spectra and supernovas. There are four parts: How and where elements are created, electromagnetic radiation, spectroscopy, and the newest technology for studying our...
Beyond Benign
Electron Transitions
Ready for a lab with a lot of razzle-dazzle? Young chemists observe flame tests of common salts through an always-popular activity. The updated resource focuses on observation skills, collaboration, and green chemistry practices.
Curated OER
Bacteria Lab II: Effect of Bacteriocides
Written to follow "Bacteria Lab I: Preparing Agar Plates and Culturing Bacteria," also found via the Lesson Planet site, this lab sheet instructs your microbiologists to test a bacteriocide for effectiveness. In the preceding lab, they...
Curated OER
Flame Test
Young scholars conduct a flame test on different substances. In this chemistry lesson, students predict the element present based on the color emitted during the flame test. They explain how different elements produce different colors.
Curated OER
Testing Leaves for Starch: the Technique
Like good scientists, kids often want to see first-hand why things are as they are; they can do just that in the starch-testing photosynthesis activity found here. Depending on the age of your pupils, you may wish to do the investigation...
Royal Society of Chemistry
A Reversible Reaction of Hydrated Copper (II) Sulfate
How can removing water change the color of a substance? Lab partners remove the water of crystallization from hydrated copper (II) sulfate, record their observations, then rehydrate the solid. The resource is printable and contains ideas...
Curated OER
The Three E's - Exciting Energetic Electrons
Students perform flame tests on salts and record the electron configurations for various cations. They analyze and record the results using spectroscopes.
Cornell University
Hydrophobic Surfaces—Deposition and Analysis
Couches, carpets, and even computer keyboards now advertise they are spill-resistant, but what does that mean? Scholars use physical and chemical methods to coat surfaces with thin films to test their hydrophobic properties. Then they...
Curated OER
Plastic Identification Lab
For this plastics worksheet, students experiment with an unknown plastic and determine the polymer name and resin code by using a flow chart of various tests. They answer five questions after they collect their data.
Curated OER
Mystery Powder Lab
In this mystery powder worksheet, students determine the identify of 6 unknown samples by testing them with cabbage juice for pH, vinegar, iodine for starch and heat. Students determine the identity of the mystery powders using their...
Curated OER
Hot Gas Or Cold Gas Lab
Pupils engage in a lab project to study chemical reactions. They use guided questions to help facilitate the lab experience and come to the correct outcomes. The lesson plan does not contain a true understandable objective. The lesson...
It's About Time
Identifying Matter
High schoolers test wood splints that have been soaked in mystery solutions to identify the different colors it produces when lit. The lesson concludes with a reading passage and analysis questions.
American Chemical Society
The Energy Efficiency of Heating Water
Can a small change in laboratory procedures save energy? Scholars test three different methods for heating water in a science lab. Then, they calculate the energy efficiency for each and compare them to determine which uses the least...
Pingry School
Qualitative Analysis of Eleven Household Chemicals
Chemical and physical properties give compounds an identity. Learners use the identity of a compound to predict what it is. By performing different tests like solubility, flame, heat, and reactions, individuals attempt to identify an...
Curated OER
Periodic Properties Lab
Learners investigate the periodic properties of elements in the periodic table. For this periodic properties lesson plan, students experiment with elements from the Alkaline Earth Metals, the Halogens, the Transition Metals, and for...
Curated OER
Things That Glow
Third graders study the concept of light as an energy source. In this energy lesson plan students participate in a lab that show them the concept of light as an energy source.
Curated OER
A Burst of Light
Students discover the many uses of minerals in industry. They use minerals to conduct flame tests and to demostrate color. They practice safety tips in the lab.
Curated OER
Identification of Different Compounds and Substances
High schoolers conduct a series of tests to identify unknown compounds. In this chemistry lesson, students compare the physical and chemical properties of substances. They collect data and formulate a conclusion.
American Chemical Society
Preparation and Combustion of Biodiesel
The United States is the world's largest producer of biofuel. During an in-class investigation, young scientists produce their own biodiesel. They burn a sample of it to determine the heat of combustion. Then they discuss the results...