All Able and talented articles – Page 2

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Astounding numbers

This activity is designed to be fun and generate a wow factor for the students. It tries to convey how amazing the scale is that we use in chemistry. In question 8 the students are asked to use creative thinking and come up with some questions of their own.

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Odd one out

This activity is fairly synoptic in nature and should encourage a rapid consideration of the range of concepts met in chemistry taught to ages 11–13.

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Universal indicators

This activity develops understanding of universal indicators and single indicators. The students build up their understanding by mixing two indicators. They also develop an awareness that the observed colour may be due to a mixture of colours.

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Chromatography worksheet

This activity extends the students’ understanding of chromatography. It links chromatography with particle theory and develops the tools of analogy and modelling.

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Boiling point

This activity is designed to help students develop their critical thinking (evaluative) skills. They are presented with a surprising measurement for the boiling point of water and several suggestions as to why it might be. The main task is to evaluate the different suggestions.

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Atoms, elements, molecules, compounds and mixtures

This activity is designed to help students clarify the relationship between atoms, elements, molecules, compounds and mixtures. It also develops the skill of using Venn diagrams in organising their understanding.

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Candle burning investigation: planning an experiment

Concept cartoon and example investigation to practise developing a hypothesis, planning an investigation and evaluation skills

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Chemistry for the gifted and talented book introduction

Chemistry for the gifted and talented is a refreshingly challenging educational book containing a wide range of differentiated activities for use in school and college.

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Ionic Su Doku

This activity gives students practice at working out formulae in a problem solving context.

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Spectroscopy

Spectroscopy is an invaluable tool in both the qualitative and quantitative analysis of substances. In this set of activities the focus is on colourimetry, UV/Visible spectrometry and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometry. 

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Polymers

Understanding the formation and properties of polymers gives an insight into how they are used in everyday life. The chemistry involved is varied and links together many aspects of the subject including an introduction to organic chemistry, ions, structure and bonding. The activities that include both practicals and questions help ...

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Metals

Understanding the properties and reactivity of metals can help to develop students basic understanding of chemical reactions. All the properties of a particular substance depend upon the elements present and how they are bonded to each other. The activities develop such areas as elements, ions, reactivity series, metal extraction, displacement ...

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Equilibria

This programme is designed to develop students understanding through basic concepts such as reversible and irreversible reaction, looking at both physical and chemical changes, to dynamic equilibria and factors that affect equilibria. Working through the activities will also develop thinking and research skills.

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Energy

Knowledge of energetics can help understand the process of a reaction and the conditions under which it operates. It also develops knowledge of the link between individual bond energies and the net energy gain or loss as well as the realisation that energy is not just heat. This programme is ...

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Acids and Alkalis

Understanding the background to acids and alkalis, and particularly focussing on the identification and quantification of pH, gives students a solid foundation for the investigation of chemical properties. This programme is designed to develop students understanding of acids and alkalis as well as developing thinking and research skills.

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Colour

Exploring the colour of substances allows for a better understanding of reactions and properties. By understanding what is causing the colour or the change of colour gives an insight of what is happening at even the electron level.

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Structure and Bonding

Knowledge of structure and bonding can help explain the properties of materials. All the properties of a particular substance depend upon the elements present and how they are bonded to each other. This programme is designed to develop students understanding of structure and bonding as well as developing thinking ...

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Synthesis and Analysis

Synthesis and analysis are two key aspects of chemistry, particularly when exploring the role of chemistry in an industrial context and relating the products formed to applications in everyday life. In order to successfully synthesise any material it is necessary to have an understanding of the starting materials, the ...

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Halogens

The halogens, group 7, are an important group of elements both chemically and socially. They are unusual in that they are coloured and diatomic. They also have an order of reactivity that is the opposite of the metals in groups 1 and 2. In fact they are all very reactive, ...