Structure and bonding post-16

Classroom resources featuring activities from our Structure and bonding post-16 professional development course for teachers

This collection is most valuable to those who have attended this course and wish to put into practice with their students some of the ideas and activities presented as part of that event. Please note that this list is not exhaustive; not all trainer activities have a corresponding classroom resource. In some circumstances there is variation between the training resource and classroom resource.

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Chemical misconceptions II: Spot the bonding

This activity asks learners to explore their knowledge of different bonding types, through diagrams of 18 bonds. 

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Chemical misconceptions II: Interactions

Support students to explore more forms of interactions between bonds, identify, and explain them. 

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Teachers TV: chemistry exciting elements

This Teachers TV video demonstrates exciting experiments around the topic of elements, such as reacting bromine with hydrogen and the displacement of halogens.

Sand explosion

Making silicon and silanes from sand

Create silicon in your classroom using just sand and magnesium. This exothermic practical will show learners the nuances of heat based reactions and how to perform them safely. Kit list and safety instructions included. 

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Chemical misconceptions II: Ionisation energy

Use this activity as a revision of the topic, or a reinforcement of learner’s knowledge base, upholding what they know about ionisation energy. 

Zinc Iodide Formula. Handwritten chemical formula on blackboard. Illustration white background of a black school board.

Exothermic redox reaction of zinc with iodine

In association with

Using an exothermic redox reaction between zinc and iodine, student will make zinc iodide. This can be reversed using electrolysis to decompose the compound.

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Jets of liquids: the effect of charged plastic on water

Polar covalent bonds, and their affects on water are explored in this open-ended problem.

Plain white paper cups scattered across a white surface

The thermal properties of water

In association with

Explore water’s boiling point, specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

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Formation of TCP (2,4,6-trichlorohydroxybenzene)

Delve into preparing TCP by reacting hydroxybenzene (phenol) with chlorine gas, and create this distinctive smelling compound.