The lab book Chemistry on a Budget contains several labs that are great for the beginning of the school year! Topics used include Significant Figures, Density (2 labs) and Physical Separation techniques are very handy.
There are two versions of each lab, one with a ten-question conclusion and one with directions for a full lab report. This way the teacher has the option! Each lab is two pages to allow for one two-sided handout.
It will take a week or so to get to you, so Order Now and use the rest of the summer to determine how you will use the labs!
These inexpensive chemistry lab ideas are in my lab book Chemistry on a Budget for $22 at amazon.com or $23 at lulu.com.
http://www.amazon.com/Chemistry-Budget-Marjorie-R-Heesemann/dp/0578129159/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389410170&sr=1-1&keywords=chemistry+on+a+budget
http://www.lulu.com/shop/marjorie-r-heesemann/chemistry-on-a-budget/paperback/product-21217600.html
I realize that during the school year it’s very difficult to keep up with research topics. During the next few weeks, I will talk about some current research going on in the science community.
A recent article posts the headline: “Atoms frozen to absolute zero using microwaves” It is a handy way to discuss the concept of Absolute Zero:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/07/150702131514.htm
From a quote in this article:
"The use of long-wavelength radiation instead of laser technology to cool ions can tremendously simplify the construction of practical quantum technology devices enabling us to build real devices much faster," said Professor Hensinger.
Here is another brief article:
http://www.kurzweilai.net/freezing-single-atoms-to-near-absolute-zero-with-microwaves-brings-practical-quantum-technology-closer
And according this another article:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/07/150702131514.htm
“Freezing atoms puts them into the lowest possible energy and is a step towards harnessing the strange effects of quantum physics, which allow objects to exist in different states at the same time. ‘Besides finding an easy way to create atoms with zero-point energy, we have also managed to put the atom into a highly counter intuitive state: where it is both moving and not moving at the same time,’ said Professor Hensinger.”
The concept of Absolute Zero can seem unreachable to students – it’s nice to see some current research using it!
This Blog contains several entries that would be helpful to your chemistry classroom. Remember, you can check out the Topic List to help you to find past Blog entries.
Enjoy your summer, and remember to order my book!