Curated OER
Chemical Formulas for Molecules
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...
Cornell University
Chemical Reactions
Investigate the Law of Conservation of Mass through a lab exploration. Individuals combine materials to initiate chemical reactions. They monitor for signs of reactions and measure the masses before and after the reactions for...
Curated OER
Impulse, Momentum, and the Conservation of Momentum
What happens when two worlds collide? In the first of several activities, future physicists experiment with colliding ball bearings or Newton's cradle. Another activity requires the use of an air track with cars to examine collision....
LABScI
Conservation of Momentum: Marble Collisions
What happens to the momentum of an object when it strikes another object? Scholars roll a marble down a ramp so it collides with another marble. By measuring the speed of each marble before and after the collision, pupils answer this...
Cornell University
Predicting Chemical Reactions
Prove the Law of Conservation of Mass through a lab investigation. A well-designed lesson asks groups to combine materials and monitor indicators for chemical reactions. Measuring the mass of the reactants and products allows individuals...
Curated OER
The Conservation Of Mass (The Mass Of Gas)
Young scholars gain an understanding of matter in all of its phases. In this science lesson plan, students further their knowledge of the laws of conservation of mass, the loss in mass can be accounted for, when the gas is allowed to...
Santa Monica College
The Composition of Potassium Chlorate
The third lesson in a series of 11 begins by using thermal decomposition of potassium chlorate to determine the mass percent of oxygen. Then a second activity allows scholars to demonstrate that the resulting residue is from a...
Virginia Department of Education
Matter and Energy: Equations and Formulas
Using simple materials, an informative instructional activity demonstrates the Law of Conservation of Matter and explains how to balance chemical equations. Young chemists perform experiments, analyze reactions, and balance...
Beyond Benign
Stoichiometry Challenge
Have you been searching for environmentally friendly chemistry experiments to use in your high school laboratory? This stoichiometry experiment replaces a conventional aluminum to alum lab by using sodium carbonate and calcium...
Science Matters
Peanut Energy
How do humans get energy since they aren't mechanical and can't photosynthesize? Learners explore this question by relating potential energy in food to human energy levels. Scholars measure the change in mass and a change in...
Virginia Department of Education
Aspirin Analysis
Laughter may be the best medicine, but aspirin is also important. Young chemists analyze aspirin tablets using titration in this lab experiment. They then repeat the entire experiment using a different aspirin brand.
LABScI
Kinematics: The Gravity Lab
Falling objects can be brutal if you don't protect your noodle! Scholars explore the motion of falling objects through measuring short intervals to determine if the distance traveled varies with time. Building off of this, scholars...
Curated OER
What Influences Reaction Rate?
Middle schoolers study reaction rates, what determines how fast a reaction happens and how the chemical changes occur. In this reactions lesson students complete a lab where they use Alka-Seltzer to observe reaction rate and create...
LABScI
Freezing Point Depression: Why Don’t Oceans Freeze?
Can you go ice fishing in the ocean? Learners examine the freezing point of different saltwater solutions. Each solution has a different concentration of salt. By comparing the freezing points graphically, they make conclusions...
Beyond Benign
Green"er" Precipitation Reaction
All sodium carbonate may not have the same amount of carbonate, but it should have the same percent. Learners write and balance an equation to predict the chemical reaction between sodium carbonate and zinc acetate. Through the lab...
University of California
Marble Rollercoasters
Don't let your classes coast through school! Engage them in their learning as they build their own roller coasters to study potential and kinetic energy. Young scholars complete several challenges that require them to consider the...
Curated OER
How Much Energy is Stored in Wood?
In this energy lesson, learners create calorimeters out of soda cans and use them to calculate the amount of energy stored in different types of wood.
Curated OER
Hydrogen Powered Cars
Young scholars apply the principles of chemistry to investigate the concept of how a hydrogen powered car works. They study the electrochemical reactions that provide the energy source. Students also record observations in the...
Curated OER
Sports Helmets and Impact Testing of Polymers
Students examine the importance of good quality safety gear. In this investigative lesson, students will tests various polymers, collect data, and analyze the data to determine which polymer is best for safety helmets. They will design a...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Conservation of Mass Gum Lab
Students investigate whether or not chewing gum should be considered eating using the law of conservation of mass to reason that the portion lost of the original mass of gum must be swallowed.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: The Disintegration of Polystyrene Lab
A lab activity where students investigate the structure of polystyrene by breaking down the cross-links between bonds using acetone. The experiment will help them to understand how mass is conserved despite the drastic change in volume,...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Chemical Changes: Reacting an Acid and Base
In this chemistry lab, students will investigate chemical changes that occur when acids and bases react. It is meant to introduce the concepts of chemical changes, gases have mass, conservation of mass, and balancing equations. Students...