Chemistry

Melting Metals

Learning all about molecular bonding and how elements interact with each other, students carried out a lab experiment to find out the temperature of individual metals when heated in boiling water. This lab experiment began with measuring the mass of a test tube and then measuring the mass of the same test tube with metal in it. Following that measurement, students found the mass of a heat-compatible cup, and then the mass of that cup with boiling water. After all of these measurements were taken, the metal inside the test tube was placed in the boiling water, and the temperature was noted once the temperature of the water quit rising. Students learned that metal had an effect on the temperature of the water, without the metal having to be a liquid.

Updated Crystal Lab

After just one week, the crystals had formed and were ready to be taken out of their acidic solutions. Some of the crystals grew to be around 3 inches long, while others grew to about 1 ½ inch long, depending on the solution that they formed in. The process that went into creating the crystals began by letting a bunch of small crystals form on the bottom of a beaker. To pick the best crystal, students would scrape out the crystal mixture from their beakers onto a plate where they would then choose the most stable shape. This shape would be chosen depending on the characteristics of size, clearness, and strength. They would tie their crystal onto a string and let it rest in a solution of the same substance as before so that the crystals would grow into a larger size. Here are the results!

Crystal Lab

Learning about the formation of structures, students split up into groups and used different types of salts to create crystals. They took hot water and dissolved salts until the water was cool enough to quit the dissolving process. They then poured the acidic water through a filter into a separate beaker, which is where the crystal will grow on a string. This lab will take a couple of weeks to complete, so be on the lookout for an update!

Batteries and Lightbulbs

Coming to a close on the first semester, Chemistry students have been learning about different elements of chemistry and how they conduct electricity. They all did a lab using small pieces of elements, including carbon, copper, lead, zinc, and sulfur and transferred the electrical energy through wires to turn on a lightbulb.

Colored Fire and Pinecones

Two weeks before winter break, Chemistry Students took part in a lab experiment that focused on what elements created what colored light. They did this by coating pine cones with powders that were composed primarily of a specific element. The powder acted as fuel and once lit with a match, unique colors were visible.

To further their understanding, students lit candles with matches that had been dipped in specific element substances, such as copper and sodium. They recorded the colors that were emitted and could perceive the color spectrum through a piece of thin plastic. This experiment was a great visual learning experience to see how elements influence color and light.

History of the Elements

Students have been learning about the periodic table of elements and the atoms that define the physical world around us. In the 5th century BCE, Democritus was the first individual to study atoms. He had very advanced ideas, but they were not accepted in society because he was unable to prove his findings. In 1803, Dalton was the second person to learn about atoms and elements. He found the same facts as Democritus but was able to prove his findings. Dmitri Mendeleev was a Russian chemist who invented the periodic table of elements. He lived from 1834 to 1907. Mendeleev was nominated for the Nobel Prize three times; in 1905, 1906, and 1907, but had never earned the award.