PhET

http://phet.colorado.edu/en/search?q=Chemistry

Content Standard Addressed:

Standard 1:

Apply an understanding of atomic and molecular structure to explain the properties of matter, and predict outcomes of chemical and nuclear reactions

3. Matter can change form through chemical or nuclear reactions abiding by the laws of conservation of mass and energy

WHAT THE HECK IS PhET!?!?!

     PhET was created by a group of instructors from Colorado University in Boulder, Colorado.  It has a variety of simulations that teachers can use to show concepts in chemistry.  PhET mainly focuses on elementary and secondary education, but has been used up through college to demonstrate different concepts.  PhET is interactive, the students can change the scenarios to see how it effects the concepts.  The simulations are completely free and teachers will often post their worksheets or lesson plans below the simulation for other teachers to use with their classes.  The simulations go through rigorous testing for effectiveness so you can feel good about allowing your students to play with the different tools.  PhET also has a fun factor, they have dogs on skateboards, fun things to throw in the “water”, and many other interesting manipulations to keep students interested.  Below is a simulation to demonstrate balancing equations, reactants, products, and what is left over at the end.  The “fun” factor introduces the idea by first using sandwich ingredients instead of elements.  As the student understands they can scaffold their knowledge by doing the different demos.

You can test out the simulation below using the following directions:

THIS IS THE WEBSITE AND HYPERLINK TO THE SIMULATION, OR YOU CAN JUST CLICK THE PICTURE BELOW!!!

http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/reactants-products-and-leftovers

Demonstration 1:  Sandwich Shop

On the bottom left side choose a selected amount of bread, meat, and cheese

At the top define what qualifies as a sandwich (ie. 2 pieces of bread, 1 piece of cheese, 2 pieces of meat= a sandwich)

The right side will represent your definition of a sandwich, show how many maybe made, and show the left over ingredients

As you change the amount of ingredients on the left you can observe how that affects the products on the right

Demonstration 2:  Real Reactions

This demo works like the sandwich shop, except the top is defined by known chemical reactions

On the bottom left designate the number of elements you wish to use to build each molecule

As you change the numbers (reactants) on the left observe how the products and left overs change

Demonstration 3:  Game

Set the game settings to your preference

Refer to the above reaction and look at the picture on the right

Using this information show how many reactants it would take to make the product and leftovers

Click Check to see if you’re correct

> If this specific simulation doesn't fit your needs look around the PhET sight,  there are several simulations displaying ideas from building models, to mixing solvents and solutes.  Here are just a few of the links that are available:

pH Scale

     -Accompanied by another Teacher's Lesson, directions, AND clicker questions!!

Beer's Law Lab

     -Accompanied by Teacher's Notes for when you use the simulation!! 

Beta Decay

     -Accompanied by a Teacher's Guide

Continue Searching pHET for simulations:  Just click HERE to go straight to the pHET chemistry simulation page