IV. CHEMISTRY TOPICS

1. Inquiry, Reflection, and Social Implications
2. Forms of Energy
3. Energy Transfer and Conservation
4. Properties of Matter
5. Changes in Matter

Additional Sites for Chemistry

1. Teaching Units / Lesson Plans
2. Student Activities / Projects / Interactive Sites
3. Information / Facts / Data / Reports
4. Videos / Movies / Animations
5. Photographs / Slides / Diagrams / Graphics
6. Periodicals / Journals / Newspapers
7. Searches / Explorations / Investigations
8. Physical Science Topics for Teachers

High School

a. P5.p1 Conservation of Matter (prerequisite)
Changes of state are explained by a model of matter composed of tiny particles that are in motion. When substances undergo changes of state, neither atoms nor molecules themselves are changed in structure. Mass is conserved when substances undergo changes of state. (prerequisite)

1. Chemical and Physical Change Lab
   Site is a lab experiment with 6 stations that allow the student to determine if the reaction is a physical or chemical change, while giving evidence. There is a teacher page at the end which makes recommendations of chemicals to use.
2. Chem 4 Kids
   Excellent site for beginning students and review of chemistry (reactions, states of matter, elements, units, etc...). There is a quiz and a few other student interactions.
3. Chemtutor Reactions
   This website provides information with respect to the conservation of mass in physical and chemical changes. In addition, it provides numerous examples and practice problems for balancing chemical equations.

b. C5.r1x Rates of Reactions (recommended)
The rate of a chemical reaction will depend upon (1) concentration of reacting species, (2) temperature of reaction, (3) pressure if reactants are gases, and (4) nature of the reactants. A model of matter composed of tiny particles that are in constant motion is used to explain rates of chemical reactions. (recommended)

1. Chem 4 Kids
   Excellent site for beginning students and review of chemistry (reactions, states of matter, elements, units, etc...). There is a quiz and a few other student interactions.
2. Collision Theory Tutorial New
   Explore the effects of temperature, orientation or reactant molecules, and catalysts on reaction rates. Includes practice exercises.
3. Concentration and Chemical Reaction Rate
   This site develops a number of skills related to chemical reaction rates. It starts by explaining chemical reaction rates and ends by having students determine the order of a reaction by experiment.
4. Effects of Temperature, Concentration, Catalysts, Inhibitors on Reaction Rates
   This site has a series of pages that detail the effects of temperature, concentration, catalysts, inhibitors on reaction rates.
5. Measurement of Reaction Rates
   The Thinkquest site has links to several topics about reaction rates: Measurements of Reaction Rates; Factors Affecting Reaction Rates; Collisioin Theory of Reaction Rates; and Activation Energy.
6. Reaction Mechanism Tutorial New
   Learn to calculate the rate expression of a multi-step reaction from its elementary steps by identifying the rate-determining step. Includes practice exercises.
7. The Rates of Chemical Reactions
   The central theme to be developed in this chapter is that the rate of a chemical reaction depends on its reaction mechanism.

c. C5.2 Chemical Changes
Chemical changes can occur when two substances, elements, or compounds interact and produce one or more different substances whose physical and chemical properties are different from the interacting substances. When substances undergo chemical change, the number of atoms in the reactants is the same as the number of atoms in the products. This can be shown through simple balancing of chemical equations. Mass is conserved when substances undergo chemical change. The total mass of the interacting substances (reactants) is the same as the total mass of the substances produced (products).

1. Chem 4 Kids
   Excellent site for beginning students and review of chemistry (reactions, states of matter, elements, units, etc...). There is a quiz and a few other student interactions.
2. Chemical and Physical Change Lab
   Site is a lab experiment with 6 stations that allow the student to determine if the reaction is a physical or chemical change, while giving evidence. There is a teacher page at the end which makes recommendations of chemicals to use.
3. Chemical Reactions
   The best parts about this lesson plan are the links to interesting sites that explain about energy concepts.  The end product of the lesson is experiments that students have developed and conducted that answer questions about heat energy.
4. Chemtutor Reactions
   This website provides information with respect to the conservation of mass in physical and chemical changes. In addition, it provides numerous examples and practice problems for balancing chemical equations.

1. Avogadro's Number Tutorial New
   This tutorial provides a step-by-step explanation of how to use Avogadro's number to convert from moles to molecules or atoms and visa versa. Includes practice exercises.
2. Chemtutor Reactions
   This website provides information with respect to the conservation of mass in physical and chemical changes. In addition, it provides numerous examples and practice problems for balancing chemical equations.
3. Classic Chembalancer
   This website allows students to actually balance some basic chemical equations. It is a good introductory exercise for students who are just beginning to learn to balance equations.
4. Combustion Demonstration for Stoichiometry--Limiting and Excess Reactants New
   Outstanding A step-by-step animation showing the reaction of different hydrocarbons with oxygen gas. This site allows the students to determine the amount of hydrocarbon gas and oxygen gas to be used in order to investigate limiting and excess reactant calculations.
5. Example Problems for Balancing Equations New
   This page provides exercises in balancing chemical reactions. When you press "New Reaction", a chemical equation with an empty cell before each compound will be displayed below. Enter the appropriate coeffcients in each cell and press "Check Answer." Results will appear immediately in the scoring table.
6. Example Problems for Stoichiometry New
   This page provides exercises in relating two substances in a balanced chemical equation . When you press "New Problem", a balanced chemical equation with a question will be displayed. Determine the correct value of the answer, enter it in the cell and press "Check Answer."
7. It's Elemental-Balancing Act!
   This website allows the student to balance chemical equations by inserting the correct coefficient(s). It will indicate whether or not the answer is correct. It does not offer additional information about the reactants or products, but there is a variety of problems to choose from at three different levels of difficulty.
8. Limiting Reactants Tutorial New
   This interactive tutorial describes the concept of limiting and excess reactants. It begins by doing a simple stoichiometry problem, moving to a ham sandwich analogy, and ending with an example problem. A short quiz follows.
9. Limiting Reagents Simulation New
   This animation shows the masses of the reactants and products as the reaction progresses. When the reaction ends, it becomes exceedingly obvious that one of the reactant masses is left over while the other one is completely used up.
10. Limiting Reagents Tutorial New
    This tutorial goes through the process for determining the limiting reagent in a stoichimetric investigation.
11. Science Education Tutorials and Practice (physics/chemistry)
    Outstanding! This site contains interactive tutorials in balancing chemical equations, dimensional analysis, acid/base titration, periodic table, and projectile motion. Fun games, easy to follow intructions and practice problems to follow-up. Very Nice.

e. C5.3x Equilibrium
Most chemical reactions reach a state of dynamic equilibrium where the rates of the forward and reverse reactions are equal.

1. Animation of Equilibrium Reactions New
   This animation shows nitrogen dioxide / dinitrogen tetroxide equilibrium, allowing students to see the "active" nature of dynamic equilibrium.
2. Dynamic Equilibrium Tutorial New
   Explore the concept of dynamic equilibrium and learn to relate the equilibrium constant to molar concentrations and partial pressures of products and reactants. Includes practice exercises.
3. Equilibrium Simulation New
   This site contains an animation that shows a dynamic equilibrium. Students will be able to visualize the process in which reactants are making products and vice versa. Students can even change the initial amounts of the different reactants and products to see if it affects the equilibrium concentrations.
4. Example Questions for the LeChatelier Effect New
   This page poses LeChatelier effect questions. When you press "New Question", a balanced equation and a LeChatelier scenario will be presented to the right of the table. Click on the appropriate circle and the results apppear in the table on the main screen. .
5. Investigating LeChatelier's Principle New
   This applet allows the student to force changes to a system at equilibrium through changing pressure, temperature, and concentration. The resulting shifts are shown in graphics macroscopically and microscopically.
6. Live Chem
   Outstanding: This website allows the student to mix a salt with a reagent and then play a movie to view the reaction. There are also links which provide additional information on the specific reaction that is being viewed in the movie.
7. Reaction Rates - Catalysis, Concentration, Surface Area, and Temperature
   This is a lab that allows the students to learn about reaction rates.

f. C5.4 Phase Change/Diagrams
Changes of state require a transfer of energy. Water has unusually high-energy changes associated with its changes of state.

1. Chemical and Physical Change Lab
   Site is a lab experiment with 6 stations that allow the student to determine if the reaction is a physical or chemical change, while giving evidence. There is a teacher page at the end which makes recommendations of chemicals to use.
2. Chemical Reactions
   The best parts about this lesson plan are the links to interesting sites that explain about energy concepts.  The end product of the lesson is experiments that students have developed and conducted that answer questions about heat energy.
3. Energy Changes Make Things Happen
   This website does a good job of both providing an overview of the energy transformations involved in chemical, physical, and nuclear changes and it provides links that allow you to investigate specific types of energy transformations more thoroughly.
4. Graphing a Heating Curve New
   This site allows the students to heat a substance and see the resulting changes in temperature. The subsequent Heat of Vaporization can be compared to the Heat of Fusion.
5. Heating Curves Tutorial New
   This site provides a tutorial explaining the heating curve of water, integrating information about intermolecular forces, phase changes, heats of vaporization, and heats of fusion. It also compares the heating curve for water with the phase diagram for water. A short interactive quiz follows the tutorial.
6. Phase Diagrams Tutorial New
   Use an interactive phase diagram and animated heating curve to explore how changes in temperature and pressure affect the physical state of a substance.

g. C5.4x Changes of State
All changes of state require energy. Changes in state that require energy involve breaking forces holding the particles together. The amount of energy will depend on the type of forces.

1. Changes of Phase (or State)
   When a substance changes from one state, or phase, of matter to another we say that it has undergone a change of state, or we say that it has undergone a change of phase. This site does a nice job of explaining vaporization, evaporation, condensation, sublimation, freezing, and melting.
2. Changes of State: Solids, Liquids, and Gases
   Any substance, called matter, can exist as a solid material, liquid, or gas. These three different forms are called states. Matter can change its state when heated.
3. Chem 4 Kids
   Excellent site for beginning students and review of chemistry (reactions, states of matter, elements, units, etc...). There is a quiz and a few other student interactions.
4. Particle Theory
   This site explains melting, evaporation, and boiling. The kinetic theory of matter can be used to explain how solids, liquids and gases are interchangeable as a result of increase or decrease in heat energy.

h. C5.5 Chemical Bonds — Trends
An atom’s electron configuration, particularly of the outermost electrons, determines how the atom can interact with other atoms. The interactions between atoms that hold them together in molecules or between oppositely charged ions are called chemical bonds.

1. Chemical Bonding
   The bound state implies a net attractive force between the atoms ... a chemical bond. The two extreme cases of chemical bonds are: Covalent bond: bond in which one or more pairs of electrons are shared by two atoms. Ionic bond: bond in which one or more electrons from one atom are removed and attached to another atom, resulting in positive and negative ions which attract each other.
2. Chemical Bonding
   The site talks about the various types of bonding that occurs when atoms can react with one another to form new substances called compounds.
3. Chemical Bonding
   The site has a list that contains terms that are associated with chemical bonding. Each term on the list is explained and defined.
4. Quia - Chemical Bonds
   An interactive quiz testing knowledge of the principles behind chemical bonding.
5. Chemical Bonding Home Page
   This site contains a set of textbook-like tutorials covering this important subject, but doing so in a manner that will be both more understandable and more complete than you will find in most current General Chemistry textbooks.
6. Chemistry Tutorial - Chemical bonds and attractive forces
   A molecule is two or more atoms linked by a chemical bond. Molecules can contain different types of bonds. If atoms are sharing electrons, then the bond between them is covalent. If an atom gives up an electron to another atom, then they have an ionic bond.
7. Types of Bonds New
   This site allows the students to investigate the different types of bonds…ionic, polar covalent, and nonpolar covalent.
8. Visionlearning
   Outstanding! Great site to get animations of the breaking and forming of bonds in the formation of water from oxygen and hydrogen. This is found under chemical equations. This also shows the reaction between sodium and chlorine to form an ionic compound, as well as the change in atomic and ionic size. This is found under chemical bonds.

i. C5.5x Chemical Bonds
Chemical bonds can be classified as ionic, covalent, and metallic. The properties of a compound depend on the types of bonds holding the atoms together.

1. Bonding Tutorial New
   This tutorial shows how ionic and covalent bonds form.
2. Chemical Bonding
   The bound state implies a net attractive force between the atoms ... a chemical bond. The two extreme cases of chemical bonds are: Covalent bond: bond in which one or more pairs of electrons are shared by two atoms. Ionic bond: bond in which one or more electrons from one atom are removed and attached to another atom, resulting in positive and negative ions which attract each other.
3. Chemical Bonding
   The site talks about the various types of bonding that occurs when atoms can react with one another to form new substances called compounds.
4. Chemical Bonding Home Page
   This site contains a set of textbook-like tutorials covering this important subject, but doing so in a manner that will be both more understandable and more complete than you will find in most current General Chemistry textbooks.
5. Chemistry Tutorial - Chemical bonds and attractive forces
   A molecule is two or more atoms linked by a chemical bond. Molecules can contain different types of bonds. If atoms are sharing electrons, then the bond between them is covalent. If an atom gives up an electron to another atom, then they have an ionic bond.
6. Lewis Dot Structure Practice--Bonding New
   This amazing site lets the students practice drawing Lewis dot structures for simple compounds. The students must click on an atom to drag it into place and move its valence electrons around to allow it to covalently bond to a neighboring atom.
7. Visionlearning
   Outstanding! Great site to get animations of the breaking and forming of bonds in the formation of water from oxygen and hydrogen. This is found under chemical equations. This also shows the reaction between sodium and chlorine to form an ionic compound, as well as the change in atomic and ionic size. This is found under chemical bonds.

j. C5.6x Reduction/Oxidation Reactions
Chemical reactions are classified according to the fundamental molecular or submolecular changes that occur. Reactions that involve electron transfer are known as oxidation/reduction (or “redox”).

1. Balance Oxidation and Reduction Reaction Equations
   Balance reduction-oxidation (Redox) equations untill you have developed a logical method without having to memorize the steps needed to balance redox equations.
2. Copper/Zinc Electrochemical Cell New
   An animation showing a copper/zinc electrochemical cell. Submicroscopic animations are included to show the students the dissolved ions and their interaction with the moving electrons.
3. Electrochemical Cell Animation New
   This animations shows examples of multiple electrochemical cells, labeling the anode and cathode, and showing the direction of electron movement from one half-cell to another.
4. Example Questions for Balancing Redox Equations New
   This page will present redox equations in both acidic and basic solutions.When you press "New Problem",a question will appear to the right of the table. Determine the value of the answer, enter it in the cell and press "Check Answer".
5. Oxidation, Reduction, and Redox Reactions
   Before we begin a discussion of the nuts and bolts of redox reactions, learn one simple mnemonic that will make your life much easier when it comes to redox chemistry
6. Reduction/Oxidation Reactions
   This site explains the difference between reducation and oxidation reactions. The site gives several examples of how this type of reaction occurs.
7. Single Replacement Reactions Applet New
   This interactive site allows the students to test different metals in various aqueous solutions to determine if a single replacement reaction has taken place. It will show the macroscopic view of the reaction and the submicroscopic view, indicating even the electrons that move from the metal into the dissolved ion.

k. C5.7 Acids and Bases
Acids and bases are important classes of chemicals that are recognized by easily observed properties in the laboratory. Acids and bases will neutralize each other. Acid formulas usually begin with hydrogen, and base formulas are a metal with a hydroxide ion. As the pH decreases, a solution becomes more acidic. A difference of one pH unit is a factor of 10 in hydrogen ion concentration.

1. Acid Rain Tutorial New
   This tutorial explores the effects of fossil fuel burning on the pH of rainwater, as well as the resulting environmental and industrial consequences. Includes practice exercises.
2. Acids and Bases
   Chemtutor provides many links that provide answers to why acids and bases are important classes of chemicals.
3. Acids and Bases
   CHEMystery has an outstanding site that has many links related to the topic of acids and bases. Acids and bases were first identified as specific types of compounds because of their behavior in aqueous solutions.
4. Acids and Bases An Introduction
   This lesson we will introduce the fundamentals of acid/base chemistry.
5. Acids and Bases are Everywhere
   CHEM4KIDS covers important definitions related to understanding acids and bases. The PH Scale is also explained.
6. Conductivity of Strong and Weak Acids New
   This interactive site allows the students to compare the conductivity of different stong and weak acids. It also allows the students to change the concentration of these stong and wead acids to investigate its effect on conductivity.
7. Identifying Compounds as Being Acids or Bases New
   Being able to readily identify a species with regards to its acid/base behavior is a very useful skill. This page provides basic drill and practice in this area. Though most of the species should be easily recognized, feel free to use whatever reference materials you wish. Ultimately the goal is to be able to run through the drills without the need of such aids.
8. pH Game New
   This website has a game in which you must order items from low (acidic) to high (basic) pH
9. pH Scale Tutorial New
   This tutorial introduces the pH scale and uses interactive graphs to explain the relationship between pH, pOH [H3O+], and [OH–]. Includes practice exercises.
10. Relationship of pH to Concentration, Temperature, and Type of Acid/Base New
    This interactive site allows the students to compare the pH of different stong and weak acids and bases. It also allows the students to change the concentration and temperature of the acid/base to investigate any resulting changes in pH.
11. Science Education Tutorials and Practice (physics/chemistry)
    Outstanding! This site contains interactive tutorials in balancing chemical equations, dimensional analysis, acid/base titration, periodic table, and projectile motion. Fun games, easy to follow intructions and practice problems to follow-up. Very Nice
12. Self-Ionization of Water New
    This site has an animation showing the self-ionization of water. This can be used in conjunction with acid/base calculation instruction. .

l. C5.7x Brønsted-Lowry
Chemical reactions are classified according to the fundamental molecular or submolecular changes that occur. Reactions that involve proton transfer are known as acid/base reactions.

1. Brønsted-Lowry acid-base Theory
   Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia explains the Brønsted-Lowry acid-base theory.
2. Brønsted-Lowry Acids and Bases
   The site gives an example of a Brønsted-Lowry Acids and Bases reaction.
3. Brønsted-Lowry Definition of acids and bases
   The site gives a nice explaination of the how acids and bases differ by using the Brønsted-Lowry definition.
4. Example Questions for pH and Hydrogen Ion Concentration New
   This page is a drill and practice exercise in basic pH calculations. When you press "New Problem" a value will appear in one of the windows. You must properly fill in the other three windows. Pressing "Submit" checks your answer and returns the result in the second table.
5. pH Relationship to Hydrogen Ion Concentration Applet New
   This animation shows how pH is related to hydrogen ion concentration, also indicating example chemicals that have different pHs.

m. C5.8 Carbon Chemistry
The chemistry of carbon is important. Carbon atoms can bond to one another in chains, rings, and branching networks to form a variety of structures, including synthetic polymers, oils, and the large molecules essential to life.

1. Carbon
   Carbon is found in many different compounds. It is in the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the cosmetics you use and the gasoline that fuels your car. Carbon is the sixth most common element in the universe. In addition, carbon is a very special element because it plays a dominant role in the chemistry of life. This site has several links which demonstrates the importance of carbon chemistry.
2. Carbon Chemistry
   The site has examples involving carbon chemistry, Organic compounds are defined simply as compounds of carbon and and are explained here.
3. Creative Chemistry Molecular Models
   You can see models of graphite, diamond and buckminsterfullerene. These are all different forms (allotropes) of the element carbon.
4. Isomer Construction Set New
   This interactive site allows the students to build different isomers of simple hydrocarbons. Not only does this allow the student to enhance their understanding of isomers themselves, but also shows the students the geometry of isomers.