Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physical Properties of Matter

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Five fabulous procedures introduce physics or chemistry classes to special properties of matter. They discover adhesion and cohesion, solubility, melting and boiling points, and viscosity through hands-on experiences. Tests are...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Kit Lesson #15 - Solar-Powered Electrolysis of Water and the Hydrogen Economy

For Teachers 10th - 12th
An outstanding lesson awaits your physics fledglings! After reading about how hydrogen can act as an energy carrier, they examine the electrolysis of water using solar power. They test the gases produced for flammability and will...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Vapor Pressure and Colligative Properties

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Hate to vacuum, but enjoy using a vacuum pump? Explore a instructional activity that starts with a demonstration of boiling water at various temperatures by using a vacuum pump. Then scholars design their own experiments to measure vapor...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Properties of Water: Temperature

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Investigate how temperature affects the density of water and stratification that occurs in bodies of water when temperatures vary. Water of differing temperatures is given different colors to see the layers that form. The lesson is meant...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Are The Properties of Sea Water?

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders conduct research on the subject of sea water. They use a variety of resources to obtain information. There are helpful resource links listed in the lesson. In conjunction with the research students make inquiry of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating the Effect of Salinity on the Density and Stability of Water

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Water with varying amounts of dissolved salt are dyed and then used to compare densities. The objective is to discover the effect of salinity, and therefore density, on ocean water on the stability of the ocean. Many branches of science...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changing Planet: Ocean Acidification - the Chemistry is Less than Basic!

For Teachers 7th - 10th
A video and laboratory investigation are highlights to this lesson on acidification of ocean water due to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide. Using bromothymol blue (BTB) as an indicator, pupils analyze the amount of carbon dioxide...
Lesson Plan
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Beyond Benign

Packed Up Properties

For Students 6th - 8th
Determine physical properties of potential packaging materials. Continuing from previous lessons in the series, the resource asks groups to identify physical properties of the substances. They test for conductivity, solubility, water...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students conduct a series of investigations on the unique properties of water. In this general science activity, students explain what causes water's surface tension. They explain the different stages in the water cycle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Chemistry of Water

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students investigate the properties of water. In this chemistry of water lesson plan, students observe a demonstration of the properties of water using sand, sugar, oil, vinegar and salad dressing. Students experiment with water, pepper,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chemical Formulas for Molecules

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Newcomers to chemistry compare hydrogen peroxide to water, realizing that the difference of one oxygen atom significantly affects the chemical properties. Other pairs of compounds and their formulas are also examined. A few chemical...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Propel a Toy Boat with Chemicals

For Teachers 5th - 8th
A simple cardboard or plastic boat is propelled across the surface of water when the surface tension is disrupted by adding detergent. Once youngsters see this in action, explain about the properties of water that make it possilbe:...
Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Splitting Water with Electricity

For Students 9th - 12th
Explore how electricity splits water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. Learners begin by calculating the voltage necessary to separate the water. They then perform the experiment and measure the ratio of hydrogen and oxygen bubbles.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Volume Lab

For Teachers 5th - 8th
How can we find volume if it a shape isn't easy to measure? Investigate methods for determining this as the volume of regular and irregular objects is explored in several stations. Learners discover that when the standard formula for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Is Viscosity?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students experiment with the visocosity of corn syrup, mineral oil, vegetable oil, water, and honey. They research viscosity before beginning. Pupils draw the conclusion that the marble sinks more slowly in the liquids with greater...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching About the Properties of Water

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use video, Internet research, graphs and tables, worksheets and hands-on experiments to investigate the properties of water in a lake environment. They work under direction or through an inquiry process.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Chemistry of Bigger Bubbles

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore properties of bubbles. In this lesson plan about bubbles, 4th graders perform an experiment. Students analyze the properties of bubble making substances and surface tension. Students create a square bubble....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Influence of Carbon Dioxide on the Chemistry of Soda

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the carbon dioxide content of different sodas. For this chemistry lesson, students explain why PET containers are preferable than HDPE for soda bottles. They collect data and graph them.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Polymer Chemistry: More than Just Plastic

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine polymers and how they are formed.  In this chemistry lesson plan students complete their own polymer experiment then discuss what they learned. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Properties of Salt

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students see how the properties of salt affect the color of flame, the flow of electricity, and the freezing temperature of water. They identify salt and sugar crystals under a microscope and discuss various practical uses of salt.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Food Chemistry: The Chemistry of Sweeteners

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students investigate the properties of sweeteners. In this chemical property lesson, students examine the unique properties of sweeteners by performing several experiments. They will analyze the data to form a conclusion about the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pumpkin Properties are a Smash!

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students receive a miniature pumpkin and proceed through several stations to measure a variety of physical properties. The data is entered into a data sheet and the mass and volume measurements are used to calculate density. They also...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Strong Ice

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Through three activities, first-time physical scientists wonder at the properties of water. Freeze some soda cans and a container of water prior to the investigation to show that water expands when frozen. Lab groups experiement with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Galileo's Thermometer: Measuring the Density of Various Unknown Liquids

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Sprouting scientists explore the concept of density by making mass and volume measurements for five different liquids. From these measurements, they calculate densities. They apply their learning to explain Galileo's thermometer works...