Unit 12: Chemistry Matters Recap

Our host recaps the content in unit 1, " Science and Engineering Practices," which introduces students to using models, analyzing and interpreting data, computational thinking, constructing explanations, and more. We also review the studio interview with an environmental attorney about the Ogeechee River fish kill.

We recap Unit 2," Introduction to Matter," in which we covered crosscutting concepts that are used by scientists around the world and looked at the chemical and physical properties of matter. We watched a scientist demonstrate phase changes from solid to liquid to gas in our studio, using liquid nitrogen.

Segment C reviews the information covered in Unit 3, "Atomic Structure." Students looked at models of atoms, discussed the Periodic Table, and heard from a fireworks expert who explained how chemistry is behind the variety of colors of a fireworks display.

In this segment, we review Unit 4, "Chemical Bonds." The unit covered the importance of evidence-based science and looked at both intra-molecular bonds that hold atoms together and intermolecular bonds, which exist between one molecule and another.

We see how students learned to recognize the signs of chemical change in this recap of Unit 5, "Chemical Reactions." The unit also covered the Law of the Conservation of Matter, and students balanced chemical equations and learned to draw models representing those equations.

In this recap of Unit 6, “Stoichiometry,” our host reviews what students learned about using dimensional analysis to solve stoichiometric problems. Students performed calculations and also learned about limiting and excess reactants using s’mores and launching miniature rockets in our lab.

This segment reviews Unit 7, "Solutions, Acids and Bases." The students saw how solvents dissolve solutes and how the rate of dissolution can be changed. They measured the concentration of solutions by molarity, mass percent, and molality. Making ice cream gave the students a delicious way to see how the colligative property of freezing point depression works. The unit also covered pH scale and how to measure acidity and alkalinity.

Our host recaps Unit 8, "Chemical Thermodynamics.” The unit covered the three laws of thermodynamics and introduced students to thermochemistry. Total Bond Energy was covered, as well as specific heat capacity.

In the recap of the unit "Kinetics and Gases," our host tells us that the unit covered Collision Theory. We see that the students performed a lab using antacid tablets to see how kinetics affect the speed of a reaction. Students also explored the unique properties of gases and Ideal Gas Law.

"Chemical Equilibrium" was the topic of unit 10, which is reviewed in this segment. Our host reviews the definition of chemical equilibrium illustrated by an activity using Legos® and how to calculate the equilibrium constant. The unit also covered Le Chatelier’s Principle.

This segment recaps the Unit 11, "Nuclear Chemistry," in which students learned about radioactivity, including alpha and beta radiation and gamma rays. They were introduced to nuclear fission and fusion and the energy each can produce. We also visited a Georgia Power nuclear chemistry lab, which measures radiation in the environment.