CHEMICAL CHANGES

One of the most important topics in Chemistry is chemical changes.  Students find it interesting because they get what they see; and learning is enhanced when they love what they are doing.

Teachers and students alike could try this simple yet relevant activity for chemical changes. It is always recommended that teachers are around to supervise when students are allowed to do this practical.

Theory:

            There are signs if chemical change has taken place. When one or more substances are formed out of a reaction then chemical change has occurred. In chemical change, the change is usually difficult to reverse. For example, when you cook food, chemical change happens and there is no way you could get back the original substance if you wish to. In chemical change, energy is taken out or given in. Just like, when iron reacts with sulphur; heat is produced. When there is a chemical reaction, the atoms are rearranged so they mixed in an entirely different way.

LET’S BURN YOUR MONEY

What? That sounds insane, but remember there is a load of crazy stuff in science that we can learn and enjoy from. I do not mean burning your money is fun, neither I would give in to the challenge if I am not confident I could actually have it back in exactly the same condition as it should be. You can practice this using ordinary white paper or filter paper cut into note-like sizes, that is to build up your confidence that it truly works. So, have fun and burn your money away.

HYDROGEN BALLOON

Let us get some basic stuff together and make a hydrogen balloon to demonstrate in the class. The main idea is to collect hydrogen gas from an acid-metal reaction and show the students the safest way to do it.

CHEAPER LAVA LAMP

As much as possible, science teachers would want to do activities in the class, which are exciting but less expensive. Especially when the kids are asked to bring the materials needed and turned out to be difficult to find or too much for the wallet, the thrill to do it would eventually fade.

There are many lava lamps available in the market but why not make your own and use of materials that one can easily grab in the cupboard or take out from the medicine drawer or buy from the nearest supermarket. Today I am sharing to you how to make a LAVA LAMP which I have done myself several times in science club activities or classroom demonstrations.

FIREWORKS AT WORK

There is a more interesting activity to explain how fireworks are made, without actually exposing the students to greater risk. ( I have to say greater because there is still a risk doing this practical.) How do fireworks create that spectacular fountain of colours and amazed young and old alike. The gorgeous exploding mixture of purples and reds, blues, yellows, greens, lilac, is just a salt away. Chemistry has loads to offer when it comes to interesting activities, and this is one of those.

HOW TO COLLECT and TEST OXYGEN, HYDROGEN, and CARBON DIOXIDE

One of the most challenging tasks of a science teacher in a chemistry class is how to show that gases exist and it can be collected from simple reactions. Most common amongst these gases are OXYGEN, HYDROGEN, and CARBON DIOXIDE.