What This Document Is
This document is a lab assignment for Georgia Gwinnett College’s Principles of Chemistry II with Lab (CHEM 1212K) course, centered around the PhET Balancing Chemical Equations simulation. It consists of critical thinking questions and a balancing equations game designed to reinforce understanding of chemical equation balancing principles. The assignment focuses on conceptual understanding rather than rote memorization of rules.
Why This Document Matters
This lab is crucial for students enrolled in CHEM 1212K as it provides hands-on practice with a fundamental chemistry skill: balancing chemical equations. Mastering this skill is essential for understanding stoichiometry, chemical reactions, and quantitative analysis in chemistry. It’s typically used during a lab session, requiring group collaboration and application of learned concepts. This assignment helps students visualize the law of conservation of mass and develop strategies for balancing equations.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This document provides guided practice *with* the simulation, but it does not teach the underlying principles of balancing equations. Students are expected to have prior knowledge of chemical formulas and the concept of atoms and molecules. It also doesn’t cover more complex balancing scenarios (e.g., redox reactions) or provide detailed explanations of *why* certain coefficients are chosen – it focuses on the process and observation.
What This Document Provides
The full document includes:
* A link to the PhET Balancing Chemical Equations simulation.
* A series of critical thinking questions designed to explore the simulation’s features and concepts related to balanced equations (e.g., identifying visual cues for balance, relating molecule/atom counts to balance).
* Specific reactions to balance using the simulation (Combust Methane, Separate Water, and others).
* A record of strategies used to balance equations in Level 1 and Level 2 of the simulation game.
* Questions about the use of coefficients and the limitations of the simulation.
* Example balanced equations completed during Level 2 of the game.
This preview *does not* include the answers to the critical thinking questions, the completed game levels, or the full set of balanced equations. It also does not include access to the PhET simulation itself.