Quest: Chemistry

From 2nd Book
Jump to navigationJump to search

In junior high school chemistry, students are introduced to fundamental concepts that form the foundation for more advanced study in high school chemistry. Here's a list of key topics that should typically be covered:

https://www.uen.org/core/core.do?courseNum=3621

By covering these topics, students will gain a solid understanding of basic chemistry principles and be well-prepared for more advanced chemistry topics in high school.


5-Week, 4-Days-Per-Week Course Plan: Strand CHEM.1: The Structure and Properties of Atoms

Week 1: Foundations of Chemistry

W1:Day 1: Elephant toothpaste


W1:Day 2: Introduction to Chemistry

  • Topics: Definition of chemistry, branches, and the scientific method.
  • Activities: Discuss the role of chemistry in everyday life and ask testable questions.

W1:Day 3: Matter and Its Properties

  • Topics: States of matter, physical vs. chemical properties and changes.
  • Activities: Develop a model showing particle arrangements in solids, liquids, and gases.

W1:Day 4: Atomic Structure

  • Topics: Protons, neutrons, electrons, and the periodic table's organization.
  • Activities: Explore patterns in the periodic table to predict element properties.

w1:Day 4: Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures

  • Topics: Classification of matter, mixtures vs. pure substances.
  • Activities: Design an experiment to separate a mixture based on physical properties.

Week 2: Chemical Reactions Basics

Day 5: Introduction to Chemical Reactions

  • Topics: Evidence of chemical reactions, reactants, and products.
  • Activities: Perform a simple reaction (e.g., vinegar and baking soda) and analyze results.

Day 6: Balancing Chemical Equations

  • Topics: Law of Conservation of Mass.
  • Activities: Practice balancing chemical equations using real examples.

Day 7: Types of Chemical Reactions

  • Topics: Synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, combustion.
  • Activities: Classify reaction types from provided equations.

Day 8: Energy in Chemical Reactions

  • Topics: Endothermic vs. exothermic reactions.
  • Activities: Investigate temperature changes in simple reactions.

Week 3: Advanced Concepts in Chemistry

Day 9: Rates of Reaction

  • Topics: Factors influencing reaction rates (temperature, concentration, surface area, catalysts).
  • Activities: Experiment with Alka-Seltzer tablets under different conditions to observe reaction rates.

Day 10: The Mole Concept

  • Topics: Avogadro’s number, molar mass, conversions between moles and grams.
  • Activities: Perform mole-to-mass calculations with provided examples.

Day 11: Solutions and Solubility

  • Topics: Solvent, solute, concentration, and factors affecting solubility.
  • Activities: Prepare solutions and measure solubility at different temperatures.

Day 12: Acids and Bases

  • Topics: Properties, the pH scale, and neutralization reactions.
  • Activities: Test pH of common household items and observe neutralization.

Week 4: Applications of Chemistry

Day 13: Gas Laws

  • Topics: Boyle’s Law, Charles’s Law, and the Ideal Gas Law.
  • Activities: Conduct an experiment with balloons to observe changes in volume and pressure.

Day 14: Thermodynamics

  • Topics: Heat transfer, exothermic vs. endothermic processes.
  • Activities: Investigate heat changes using a simple calorimetry setup.

Day 15: Organic Chemistry Basics

  • Topics: Hydrocarbons, functional groups, and polymers.
  • Activities: Build molecular models of organic compounds (e.g., methane and ethanol).

Day 16: Environmental Chemistry

  • Topics: Greenhouse gases, pollution, and sustainability.
  • Activities: Analyze data on CO₂ emissions and brainstorm solutions to reduce environmental impact.

Week 5: Review, Projects, and Assessment

Day 17: Chemistry in Industry

  • Topics: Applications of chemistry in medicine, agriculture, and technology.
  • Activities: Research and present examples of real-world chemical processes.

Day 18: Review and Reinforcement

  • Topics: Recap major concepts (e.g., atomic structure, reactions, solutions).
  • Activities: Work on review worksheets or interactive quizzes.

Day 19: Project Work

  • Topics: Create a solution to a real-world problem using chemistry.
  • Activities: Begin project presentations and peer feedback.

Day 20: Final Presentations and Assessment

  • Activities: Present projects and complete a short cumulative test or interactive group quiz.

Materials calendar

Materials w1.d1 []
  1. Peroxide
  2. Dish soap
  3. Yeast
  4. Coveralls
  5. Warm-hot water
  6. Water bottles or others.
Materials w1.d2 []
  1. Print Kit 1: Chemistry card set
  2. Print: Kit 2 Materials: Branches of Chemistry Scavenger Hunt
  3. Print: Materials: Kit 3: Testable Questions Lab
  4. Print: Materials: Kit 4: Chemistry in Food
  5. Print: Materials: Kit 5: Scientific Method in Action
Materials w1.d3 []

Kit 1

  1. Samples of :
    • Water (small bottle or container)
    • Wood (small block or piece)
    • Plastic (sample piece, e.g., plastic spoon)
    • Metal (small metal object, e.g., paperclip)
    • Glass (small glass piece or container)
  2. Print: Worksheet: Everyday materials
  3. Measuring Tools:
    • Thermometer (for temperature-related experiments)
    • Magnifying glass (for examining the materials closely)
    • Ruler (for measuring dimensions)
    • Scale
    • Graduated cylinders
  4. Clips/Scissors (for cutting or manipulating some materials, where applicable)
  5. Safety Equipment:
    • Safety goggles
    • Gloves (optional, for handling glass or metal)

Kit 2

  1. Ice Cubes (small bag or tray of ice)
  2. Water (small beaker or container of water)
  3. Small Pot or Kettle (for boiling water)
  4. Heat Source (small portable heater, electric kettle, or stovetop)
  5. Thermometer (to measure temperatures during the melting and boiling processes)
  6. Glass Container (for observing condensation from steam)
  7. Plastic or Metal Tray (for capturing steam)
  8. Safety Equipment:
    • Safety goggles
    • Heat-resistant gloves (for handling boiling water and heated surfaces)
  9. Worksheet:
    • A table for recording observations during the experiment.
    • Diagram sheet for illustrating transitions between solid, liquid, and gas.
  10. Bonus Material:
    • Second Material: Glycerin or another substance that undergoes similar state transitions (optional for further experimentation).

Kit 3

  1. Objects for Testing:
    • Coin
    • Sponge
    • Piece of Wood
    • Oil (small bottle or container)
    • Small Plastic Ball
    • Piece of Metal
    • Small rock or stone
  2. Measuring Tools:
    • Balance Scale (or digital scale)
    • Ruler (for measuring dimensions)
    • Graduated Cylinder (for measuring volume of irregular objects)
    • Water (to fill a container for the buoyancy test)
  3. Worksheet:
    • Table to record predictions and measurements
    • Space for calculating density
    • Diagram for illustrating how density affects buoyancy
  4. Safety Equipment:
    • Safety goggles
    • Lab gloves (optional)

Kit 4

  1. Reaction Materials:
    • Vinegar (50 mL)
    • Baking soda (1 tablespoon)
    • Measuring spoons and cups
    • Plastic cup or small container
    • Small balloon (optional, for capturing gas)
    • Plastic funnel (optional, for easier pouring)
  2. Observation Tools:
    • Timer or stopwatch
    • Notebook and pen for recording observations
  3. Worksheet:
    • Table for recording initial observations, changes in properties, and reactions during the experiment
    • Space for drawing a diagram or writing about the reaction
    • Bonus question prompts
  4. Safety Equipment:
    • Safety goggles (recommended)
    • Lab gloves (optional)

Kit 5

 Baking soda (NaHCO₃)
  Salt (NaCl)
  Sugar (C₆H₁₂O₆)
  Cornstarch (C₆H₁₀O₅)
  Vinegar (Acetic acid, CH₃COOH)
  Lemon juice (Citric acid, C₆H₈O₇)
  Epsom salt (MgSO₄·7H₂O)
  Washing soda (Na₂CO₃·10H₂O)
  Baking powder
  Alum (KAl(SO₄)₂·12H₂O)
  Cream of tartar (Potassium bitartrate, KHC₄H₄O₆)
  Gelatin (C₆₆H₁₁NO₁₉)
  Activated charcoal
  Starch (from potato or corn)
  Sodium chloride solution (saltwater)
  Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)
  Magnesium ribbon
  Citric acid crystals
  Iron filings
  Copper sulfate (CuSO₄)
  1. Testing Equipment:
    • Water (for solubility test)
    • Vinegar (for reaction with acid test)
    • Balance (for measuring mass)
    • Measuring cup
    • Graduated cylinder
    • Small plastic containers or beakers
    • Stirring sticks
    • Plastic spoons
    • Funnel (optional, for pouring liquids)
  2. Observation Tools:
    • Notebook and pen for recording observations
    • Worksheet for recording properties and results
    • Timer or stopwatch
  3. Safety Equipment:
    • Safety goggles
    • Lab gloves (optional)
Materials w1.d4 []
  1. Foam balls, clay, pipe cleaners, and markers for atom models.
  2. Pre-made periodic table puzzles (printed or laminated).
  3. Element clue cards for scavenger hunt.
  4. Worksheets for electron configurations and Lewis dot diagrams. [1] [2]
  5. Charts showing trends in atomic radius, reactivity, and electronegativity. [3]

Kit 3

  • Element cards with atomic numbers (five cards per team)
  • Blank templates for Bohr and Lewis dot diagrams
  • Dry-erase markers
  • Reference sheet on electron configuration rules (e.g., Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle)
  • Presentation Cards: Prompts like:
    • "What do the Bohr and Lewis diagrams reveal about bonding?"
    • "How do electron configurations predict element behavior?"
  • Timer/Checklist:
    • 15 min: Write electron configurations.
    • 20 min: Create Bohr and Lewis diagrams.
    • 10 min: Predict bonding types.
    • 5 min: Discuss bonus predictions.
  • Reflection Sheet:
    • "What did you find challenging about electron configurations?"
    • "How do diagrams help visualize atomic structure?"

Kit 5

  1. Periodic table exploration prompts
Materials w2.d1
Materials w2.d2
Materials w2.d3
Materials w2.d4
Materials w3.d1
Materials w3.d2
Materials w3.d3
Materials w3.d4
Materials w4.d1
Materials w4.d2
Materials w4.d3
Materials w4.d4
Materials w5.d1
Materials w5.d2
Materials w5.d3
Materials w5.d4