This article describes a laboratory module designed to help students understand how different compounds behave when they are dissolved in water. Students measure the conductivities of various aqueous solutions using handheld conductivity testers with LED displays. By counting the number of LEDs illuminated, students can differentiate between electrolytes and nonelectrolytes and approximate the relative numbers of ions in solution. This enables students to discover how ionic compounds dissociate when dissolved in water. The laboratory module introduces the model–observe–reflect–explain (MORE) thinking frame, an instructional tool that encourages students to connect their macroscopic observations with their understanding of the behavior of particles at the molecular level. These activities are designed for college-level general chemistry courses, but have also been adapted to the high-school level.
Supplement
Student handouts for a college-level general chemistry course, required supplies, sample results, instructor notes, examples of student work, and suggestions for grading are available.
The "Chemistry Teacher Connection" (CTC) is especially for high school chemistry teachers. For only $40/year, it offers an online-only subscription to CLIC along with membership in the Division of Chemical Education, normally $65/year. CTC subscribers receive access to all articles and supplements from 1996 through the current issue.
Through special arrangement with the ACS, JCE High School CLIC is now able to provide subscribers with online access to Chemical & Engineering News articles that have been selected specifically for secondary science instructors and their students.
Occasionally, collections of JCE back issues become available for donation to individual teachers, schools, or libraries. JCE matches collections with interested recipients. Recipients pay shipping costs or pick up the collection.