For inexpensive chemistry labs to expand your repertoire, buy my lab book Chemistry on a Budget for $21 at amazon.com or $23 at lulu.com.
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 -- they are very handy for the beginning of the school year.
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!
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
Some have purchased my lab book – be sure to check out Page 141 !
Many of you may be discussing Physical Changes of matter and the corresponding Heating or Cooling Curves that could be generated. Past blog posts that may be useful include: Heating and Cooling Curves on 03/02/2014 and Heating/Cooling Curves Revisited on 10/04/2014.
An interesting story is California’s recent attempt to slow the evaporation of water from reservoirs using “shade balls” .
Here is a brief article that discusses the issues addressed by the “shade balls” :
http://www.discovery.com/dscovrd/tech/millions-of-shade-balls-to-prevent-evaporation-in-california-reservoirs/
According to this article, the “shade balls” address three issues of concern:
1. Protecting water from algae formation, dust, rain and wildlife.
2. Preventing evaporation of precious water from the reservoir.
3. Preventing the production of bromate, a suspected carcinogen. Bromate forms when naturally occurring bromite reacts with added chlorine and sunlight.
Just a reminder, bromate is BrO3 1- and bromite is BrO2 1- .
Here is a quick summary about bromate concerns:
https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/bromate.htm
Here are two other articles about the “shade balls” -- the first lists several benefits of this floating cover, the second addresses the color of the “shade balls” :
http://www.awtti.com/evaporation_control_floating_cover.php
http://www.sciencealert.com/la-is-dumping-millions-of-small-plastic-balls-into-its-reservoir-to-tackle-the-drought
So, why are the shade balls black instead of white? This article focuses on this question:
http://space.io9.com/why-are-drought-balls-black-instead-of-white-1724040253
*The following article can be printed on one page without pictures, which is good for photocopying for a class or homework assignment:
http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/16096/20150817/shade-balls-released-california.htm
There is an icon for printing just under the title of the article.
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.
The lab book Chemistry on a Budget is very useful to your Chemistry classroom with labs and class article ideas.
Order Soon!
Also, Write To Me about your successes, challenges, or questions in the Chemistry Classroom.
Have a great school year!