All Structure and bonding articles – Page 8

Opinion
Five ideas in chemical education that must die: The atomic orbital conundrum

2015-08-11T08:48:00Z

Are 4s atomic orbitals preferentially occupied and ionised?
Experiment
Allotropes of sulfur

In association with Nuffield Foundation

Use this practical to explore the changes in the colour and consistency of sulfur as you heat it, melt it and eventually boil it. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Experiment
The structure and properties of chocolate

In association with Nuffield Foundation

Investigate how melting chocolate changes its structure and affects properties like taste, texture and melting point. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Experiment
Making plastic from potato starch

In association with Nuffield Foundation

Try this class practical to make a plastic using potato starch and investigate the effects of adding a ‘plasticiser’. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Resource
Chemistry stinks - class smelling activity

This class practical introduces concepts of chemistry and smell. A number of common chemicals with distinctive smells have been chosen to help students get their nose around different functionalities in chemistry. This is done via a series of solutions, which can be smelled using smelling sticks.
Resource
Molymod sets

These popular molecular modelling sets can be used to make many different molecules. This makes them ideal for use by students, educators and researchers. Follow the links below buy the sets in our online shop. If you’re a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, you’re entitled to a 35% ...
Experiment
Water expands when it freezes

In association with Nuffield Foundation

Use this demonstration to show that water expands when it freezes, showing students how it can break a bottle. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Resource
Journal articles made easy: Predict crystallinity

2015-07-14T13:28:56Z

This article looks at predicting and controlling the crystallinity of molecular materials. It will help you understand the research the journal article is based on, and how to read and understand journal articles. The research article was originally published in our CrystEngComm journal. Will it crystallise?Predicting crystallinity of molecular materialsClick ...
News
Purely inorganic aromatic ion synthesised

2015-07-03T00:00:00Z

Aromatic anion made from nitrogen and phosphorus synthesised
Experiment
Hydrogels in plant water storage crystals

In association with Nuffield Foundation

Investigate plant water storage crystals as one application of hydrogels in this fun class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Experiment
Investigating hydrogels in nappies and hair gel

In association with Nuffield Foundation

Investigate hydrogels as polymeric smart materials in this series of activities using nappies and hair gel. Includes kit list and safety instructions.
Resource
Large molecules

The Inspirational chemistry chapter ‘Large molecules’. This chapter suggests games, activities, practicals and demonstrations for teaching various topics, such as polmers, emulsifiers and textile conservation.
Exhibition chemistry
Red hot carbon

2015-05-11T00:00:00Z

Declan Fleming shows you how to capture your students’ imaginations with spectacular demonstrations
Feature
Representing molecular behaviour

2015-05-11T00:00:00Z

Roy Tasker explains how molecular animations help students
Resource
Swimming pool chemistry | 16–18 years

Synoptic questions explore structure and bonding, equilibrium and spectrometry and spectroscopy in the context of swimming pools.
Resource
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.
Resource
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.
Resource
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.
Resource
Covalent bonding

This activity seeks to develop an understanding of covalent bonding in terms of energetic stability rather than full shells.
Resource
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.