All Resource articles – Page 53

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Swimming pool chemistry | 16–18 years

Synoptic questions explore structure and bonding, equilibrium and spectrometry and spectroscopy in the context of swimming pools
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Shapes of molecules and ions

This activity draws some extra concepts and mathematical skills into the discussion of molecular shape. A distinction between geometry around the central atom and the shape of the molecule is made.
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The second law of thermodynamics

This activity aims to introduce the topic in a way that uses the students’ synthesis skills to piece together several pieces of information.
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Oxidation numbers

This activity introduces oxidation numbers by giving a conceptual foundation for them in terms of electron accounting and polar bonds. It then shows how the model used so far needs refining.
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Organic reaction maps

This activity encourages the use of mind maps to organise information. It also highlights where oxidation and reduction are involved in transformations between functional groups.
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Odd one out (organic)

This activity should encourage a rapid consideration of the range of concepts met in organic chemistry.
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Mixing drinks

The activity uses two methods to develop metacognition. First, students are asked to solve a problem and then reflect on the thinking styles that they used. In the other method students discuss four modelled thinking styles of fictional students.
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Formal charge

This activity introduces formal charge – a useful tool which otherwise might not be taught. The formal charge model treats bonds as pure covalent, in contrast to the oxidation state model which treats bonds as ionic.
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Entropy and equilibrium

This activity shows the students the fundamental link between entropy and equilibrium and increases students’ understanding of scientific models. It highlights the importance of mathematical descriptions in physical chemistry.
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Curly arrows and stereoselectivity

This activity develops the use of curly arrows. If you have some very able students in a group, then there is an opportunity for differentiation by giving them a chance to draw curly arrow mechanisms for whatever reactions they meet.
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Covalent bonding

This activity seeks to develop an understanding of covalent bonding in terms of energetic stability rather than full shells.
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A new kind of alchemy

This presents some cutting edge research for post-16 students in a context that they can appreciate. It shows the students there are still big ideas to be explored in chemistry and should promote research as a career choice.
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Polymer puzzles

This activity is designed to develop the students’ higher order thinking – particularly critical thinking skills – in the context of problem solving. It should help students to recall the facts about some common polymers.
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Trends in reactivity in the periodic table

This could be used to follow up some work on the periodic table where the trends in reactivity in groups 1 and 7 have been identified. It can be used as a differentiated activity for the more able students within a group.
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Elemental Su Doku

This activity helps students gain a familiarity with the periodic table by getting them to continually refer to it in a problem solving activity.
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Noble gases

The activity sets some critical thinking and pattern spotting tasks in the context of the noble gases. This can be used to develop skills in determining mathematical relationships between variables from graphs.
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Ionic bonding

An explanation often given for ionic bonding is that atoms lose or gain electrons to achieve noble gas configurations. This activity evaluates that as a complete explanation.
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Bonding models

This activity gets the students to think of the model they have been taught as a model rather than the truth.
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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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Rusting: a lateral thinking problem | 11–14 years

Learners apply their knowledge of rusting in the context of shipwrecks. A lateral thinking exercise and planning an investigation will help them develop higher-order skills.