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.

Concepts

ions, atoms, light spectrum

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Have a video of a fireworks show or photos of fireworks to help pupils make the connection

Classroom Considerations

• Everyone must wear safety goggles and lab coats 
• Review safety using Bunsen burners and fire before beginning the experiment
• Place beakers of water around the room before starting
• Explain the importance of using tongs to hold the wood splits in the flame rather than your fingers as pictured
• The eighth of nine lessons in the unit

Pros

• Lesson includes vocabulary
• Provides an extension idea

Cons

• Document permissions do not allow for printing
  

Common Core

RST.6-8.3 RST.9-10.3 RST.11-12.3