How Heavy Are You? Find the Answer in the Periodic Table

Abstract

In a classroom or take-home activity, students are challenged to write their name as a combination of chemical-element symbols and calculate "their" molar mass. Age-appropriate versions ranging from middle school to entry-level college classes are discussed. Acceptable molar-mass suggestions may be used in a competition for the heaviest combination or weighed against a preset value derived from the teacher's name. The activity is suited for exploring information provided with the periodic table at times when atomic and molar masses are first introduced.

Department(s)

Chemistry

Keywords and Phrases

Elementary/Middle School Science; First-Year Undergraduate/General; High School/Introductory Chemistry; Humor/Puzzles/Games; Nonmajor Courses; Public Understanding/Outreach

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0021-9584

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2015 American Chemical Society (ACS), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Sep 2015

Link to Full Text

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