Samantha Robicheaux
Embedded Files
The Beaker app created by THIX turns your device into a lab beaker where you can add different chemicals together and see what kind of reactions they make.
The Beaker app created by THIX turns your device into a lab beaker where you can add different chemicals together and see what kind of reactions they make.
Step by Step App Guide
Step by Step App Guide
1. Download and open the Beaker app on your device.
1. Download and open the Beaker app on your device.
2. Touch the circle on the top right of the screen. This opens up the chemical list. At the bottom right of the screen there is a button you can touch to change how the chemicals are labeled. At the bottom left of the screen is a button that, when pressed, will show you the different tools you can use in the app.
2. Touch the circle on the top right of the screen. This opens up the chemical list. At the bottom right of the screen there is a button you can touch to change how the chemicals are labeled. At the bottom left of the screen is a button that, when pressed, will show you the different tools you can use in the app.
3. To add chemicals to your beaker, press on the chemical and hold until the desired amount is added. You can go back to this list and add as many chemicals as you like. Reaction formulas will appear on the screen as they occur.
3. To add chemicals to your beaker, press on the chemical and hold until the desired amount is added. You can go back to this list and add as many chemicals as you like. Reaction formulas will appear on the screen as they occur.
4. To add fire to chemicals, swipe your finger across the screen and hold. This will light a match.
4. To add fire to chemicals, swipe your finger across the screen and hold. This will light a match.
5. You can also boil liquid chemicals by swiping from right to left on the bottom of the screen. This turns the burners on.
5. You can also boil liquid chemicals by swiping from right to left on the bottom of the screen. This turns the burners on.
6. To put a lid on the beaker, swipe right to left on the top of the screen.
6. To put a lid on the beaker, swipe right to left on the top of the screen.
7. To mix the chemicals faster, you can shake your device. Make sure you’ve placed a lid on first, if not your chemicals will fall out.
7. To mix the chemicals faster, you can shake your device. Make sure you’ve placed a lid on first, if not your chemicals will fall out.
8. Airmix: this is a feature you can use if you have more than one device. The devices link up so you can mix contents from one device to the other. This allows you to create more complex compounds and reaction. Once your devices are linked, tilt one device above the other as if you are pouring chemicals from an actual beaker into another beaker.
8. Airmix: this is a feature you can use if you have more than one device. The devices link up so you can mix contents from one device to the other. This allows you to create more complex compounds and reaction. Once your devices are linked, tilt one device above the other as if you are pouring chemicals from an actual beaker into another beaker.
9. When you are done and ready to make a new reaction, swipe off the lid if there is one, and turn your device over to let the chemicals pour out.
9. When you are done and ready to make a new reaction, swipe off the lid if there is one, and turn your device over to let the chemicals pour out.
Video
Video
Tutorials
Tutorials
FAQ
FAQ
- Q: What to do if app glitches? A: Close the app and restart it. If it still doesn't work, update it.
- Q: What features come with the app? A: Lid, Burner, Match, and AirMix.
- Q: Can other features be added? A: Yes, the Meter, Cooler, Blender, Filter, and Separator are all extra tools that can be added for a dollar each.
- Q: How can you make a solution more visible? A: In the chemical list there are also color dyes you can use if you are having trouble seeing a reaction.
- Q: How do you stop the chemicals from pouring out? A: Put a lid on it.
Pros and Cons
Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
- It is a safer way for students to freely experiment with chemicals.
- Students can perform more reactions with the app that might be too dangerous for the classroom.
- The AirMix feature makes it easy for students to collaborate.
- Students can experiment with materials that may not be available in the lab.
- No chemical waste.
- Students can easily restart a sequence if they mess up, unlike an actual lab.
- It's good practice before actually performing a chemical reaction.
- Students can come up with their own mixtures.
Cons
Cons
- The app is not a replacement for real life lab experience.
- Glitches are always a possibility with technology.
- There are a few features that are only available through in-app purchase, but they are not necessary.
- Students might have to share tablets.
- Not all schools have tablets.
- It doesn't come with a list of all the reactions you can perform.
- There's a limit to the types of chemicals and reactions that can be performed.
Activities
Activities
Activity #1
Activity #1
9th Grade Physical Science
Construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table, and knowledge of the patterns of chemical properties (HS-PS1-2).
Students will be given a sheet with equations for different chemical solutions. They have to figure out if the solution is basic or acidic based on the chemical formula. They will work in partners. To check their work they will use the Beaker app on their tablets. They will make the solution in Beaker then use the litmus option to check the pH. If the the solution turns red, it is acidic. If the solution turns blue it is basic.
Activity #2
Activity #2
11th Grade Chemistry
Construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table, and knowledge of the patterns of chemical properties (HS-PS1-2).
Students will get into their assigned lab groups. Each group will be given a different chemical reaction. The groups will first write and balance an equation for their reaction and identify the type of reaction. Then they will perform the reaction in the Beaker app using their tablets. They will write down what they observe in the Beaker app and use it to check their equations. Then they will perform the reactions in real life. Each lab station will be set up with materials and instructions for each groups reaction. After the groups perform their reaction they will write down what they observed and compare to the reaction they observed in the Beaker app to determine if the reaction they performed was successful.
Screencast
Screencast
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