Chemical Reactions (9-12)

* Chemical reactions occur all around us, all the time.   *Chemical reactions may release or consume energy.   * A large number of important reactions involve the transfer of either electrons or hydrogen ions between reacting ions, molecules, or atoms.   * Chemical reactions can take place in a fraction of a second or some can take billions of years.   * Catalysts accelerate chemical reactions. Chemical reactions in living organisms are catalyzed by protein molecules called enzymes. (NSES, 1996)

PhET continues to develop amazing interactives. The name of this tool is Acid-Base Solutions. How do strong and weak acids differ? Use lab tools on your computer to find out! Dip the paper or the probe into solution to measure the pH, or put in the electrodes to measure the conductivity. Then see how concentration and strength affect pH. Can a weak acid solution have the same pH as a strong acid solution? If you have Java, just click on RUN NOW. The main PhET site can be found here.

This clever and clear learning tool is called pH Scale. This is a Java applet. Just click RUN NOW below the picture. Test the pH of things like coffee, spit, and soap to determine whether each is acidic, basic, or neutral. Visualize the relative number of hydroxide ions and hydronium ions in solution. Switch between logarithmic and linear scales. Investigate whether changing the volume or diluting with water affects the pH. Or you can design your own liquid! This tool is brought to us by The PhET Project and made possible by the Kavli Operating Institute.

Choose the metal of your electrode, then the solution, turn on the electricity and watch your Electrolysis "learning tool" run. This textured and elegant demonstration is brought to us by the Department of Chemistry at Iowa State University.

The name of this "learning tool" is called Qualitative Analysis of Anions. Simple, elegant, and conceptually clear students must identify an unknown by using the reagents and the equipment provided on the Lab Bench. When you get to the site, after you read the one page Lab Manual, make sure you click on the Lab Bench tab. This tremendous interactive is brought to us by ChemLab at Dartmouth University.

The Chemistry Collective is a collection of virtual labs, scenario-based learning activities, and concepts tests which can be incorporated into a variety of teaching approaches as pre-labs, alternatives to textbook homework, and in-class activities for individuals or teams. It is organized Carnegie Mellon University. Make sure you try the Virtual Lab Simulator. It is incredible!

The name of this learning tool is Reactions and Rates. Find out what affects the rate of a reaction. Do experiments, collect data, and then calculate rate coefficients. Play with different reactions, concentrations, and energy.  This is a Java applet, just click RUN NOW under the picture. This tool is brought to us by The PhET Project and made possible by the Kavli Operating Institute.

The name of this "learning tool" is called Qualitative Analysis of Cations. Simple, elegant, and conceptually clear students must identify an unknown by using the reagents and the equipment provided on the Lab Bench. When you get to the site, after you read the one page Lab Manual, make sure you click on the Lab Bench tab. This tremendous interactive is brought to us by ChemLab at Dartmouth University.

The name of this wonderful learning tool is Salts and Solubility. This is a Java applet, just click RUN NOW under the picture. Add different salts to water, then watch them dissolve and achieve a dynamic equilibrium with solid precipitate. Compare the number of ions in solution for highly soluble NaCl to other slightly soluble salts. Relate the charges on ions to the number of ions in the formula of a salt. Calculate Ksp values. This tool is brought to us by The PhET Project and made possible by the Kavli Operating Institute.

One of the most innovative science education companies is Explorelearning.com, they call their simulations, Gizmos. They are a subscription site , but they allow you to see this Gizmo for 5 minutes. Just click on the Limiting Reactants to see their wonderful "learning tool".  Shockwave is required.

This "learning tool" does a great job of allowing student to conceptually understand Balancing Chemical Equations. Four representative equations are presented. One of the most innovative science education companies is Explorelearning.com, they call their simulations, Gizmos. They are a subscription site, but they allow you to see this Gizmo for 5 minutes.  Shockwave is required.

One of the most innovative science education companies is Explorelearning.com, they call their simulations, Gizmos. They are a subscription site, but they allow you to see this Gizmo for 5 minutes. Just click on the pH Analysis to see their wonderful "learning tool".  Shockwave is required. 

ChemCases.com is a web-based resource of curriculum supplements for teaching the second semester general chemistry course. Each case study features a number of the basic principles covered in a traditional general chemistry curriculum. They use these concepts to address the decisions that influence development of successful consumer, agricultural and pharmaceutical products.