Matter Activities for High School Chemistry

Matter Activities

What's the Matter?

Materials

• Option 1 - Technology
  • Computers - Internet, Microsoft Word (or other typing program), and PowerPoint or Google Slides
  • Screen with projector
• Option 2 - Without technology
  • Large poster board
  • Crayons, markers, colored pencils
  • Writing paper
  • Ruler
• Notebooks
• Pencils

Procedure

• Students will work in groups of 2-3.
• Groups will research and present information about a specific element or compound.
  • Groups may choose or be assigned an element or compound. Examples: europium, cerium, methane, carbon monoxide, silicon tetrafluoride, sulfur dioxide, etc.
• Students will be given time to research the following information:
  • Name, period, and symbol or formula
  • Description of properties as a solid, liquid, and gas
  • Where it's found, what it's used for
  • How to transport it, store it, and other safety precautions
  • Interesting facts
• Groups will compile the information in a presentation through the use of technology, without technology, or a combination of both. Students will also produce a phase diagram, such as the one pictured, with temperatures and pressures of each stage of the element or compound.

Carbon Dioxide Phase Diagram

• After students have had time to conduct their research and put together a presentation, they will type up a short report. This will include a brief summary of all of the information that was found as well as a works cited page for references.
• Schedule days for groups to share their presentations and turn in their reports.

Your Own Bouncy Ball

Materials for each set of partners

• Borax
• Cornstarch
• Glue
• Warm water
• Food coloring
• Measuring spoons
• Mixing spoons
• Plastic cups
• Pens
• Stopwatches
• Rulers
• Plastic zip-loc bags
• Notebooks
• Pencils

Procedure

• Students will work with a partner.
• Students will follow steps to create a bouncing polymer ball. They will record everything they do and describe their observations at each step.
  • Borax solution - In a plastic cup, mix 2 tbsp of warm water and ½ tsp of borax until the borax dissolves. Add food coloring, if so desired.
  • Ball mixture - Pour 1 tbsp of glue, ½ teaspoon of borax solution, and 1 tbsp of cornstarch into a plastic cup. DON'T mix anything. Observe and record what is happening.
  • After 10 to 15 seconds, combine the substances together into one of the cups and mix until it becomes too difficult to stir.
  • Take the mixture out of the cup and mold it with your hands.
  • As it becomes less sticky, you can start to bounce it!
  • Store the ball in a sealed baggie.
• Now, students will conduct the experiment again to explore using different ratios of borax, cornstarch, and glue to see how it affects the ball.
• Students will form a hypothesis as they try to determine the change and its effect on the bouncy ball.
  • Example: A lot of cornstarch will create a ball that is stretchier.
• Students will conduct the experiment again by changing the ratios. Again, students must record and make note of observations during each step.
• When all groups have conducted their experiment a second time, they will analyze the results. Was their hypothesis correct? What was the effect on their bouncy ball? What was the exact ratio of ingredients?
• Partners will share their results with the rest of the class.

Describe This

Materials for each group

• At least three different objects
  • Twizzlers, water, rocks/soil, salt, etc.
• Source of heat, if possible
  • Lighter
  • Boiling water
• Conductivity tester
  • Could make own with batteries, light bulb and holder, insulated wires
• Beakers with water for volume and density
• Balance for mass
• Rulers
• Notebook
• Pencils
• Blank chart printed out or written in notebooks - two examples are included in the following table: