LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Goal 4

The learner will conduct investigations and utilize technology and information systems to build an understanding of chemistry.

Objective 4.05

Identify substances based on characteristic physical properties:

  • Density.
  • Boiling/Melting points.
  • Solubility.
  • Chemical reactivity.
  • Specific heat.

Resources aligned to this objective

Density of common liquids
Each lab team will determine the density of water and one of the sample liquids. The class will then compile their information.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Mathematics and Science)
By Sansia Coble.
Discovering elements online
Students will work independently and in small groups to research assigned elements on the internet with sites given in advance. They will then contribute to a class database with their individual information. The database will then be made available for students to again work independently and in pairs to answer questions created from a class discussion to discover relationships about the elements.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Computer Technology Skills and Science)
By Trish Loudermilt.
Submarines: Using mass, volume and density to create a working submarine
The students will design a submarine that will float, subsurface, sink, and return once again to the water's surface by external manipulation of the submarine outside of an aquarium. In order to accomplish this, the students will use not only the concepts of mass, volume, and density but will also integrate buoyancy and ballast in their submarine design.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Information Skills, Mathematics, and Science)
By Amy Koonce.

Lesson plans on the web

It's a crash test, Dummy
This lesson begins with an Internet exploration of how air bags in cars were developed to solve a very practical problem: saving lives in automobile accidents. It also examines some of the safety issues surrounding air bags. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)
Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Liquid density and oil spills
Students will conduct a simple experiment demonstrating the variable densities of corn syrup, water, glycerin, and vegetable oil. Students will then transfer this concept to an examination of cleanup methods used in the Exxon Valdez oil spill. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Science)
Provider: National Geographic
Pizza cheese
In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, students hear why the cheese on pizza tastes different when it is reheated versus when it is originally baked. (Learn more)
Format: activity (grade 6–8 Science)
Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science