Throwing Paper Wads in the Classroom Really Active

Georgia Southern University n n n Almost 2000 students per year in general chemistry

Equilibrium n Common misconceptions n n n Equilibrium means equal amounts of reactant and

Paper Wad Demonstration Rules 1. Each student wads up two paper wads. 2. You

Equal Number of Students on Each Side of the Classroom Time (s) 0 Left

30 Students on the Left Side– 2 Students on the Right Side Time (s)

Six Possible Demonstrations Experiment Left (Reactant) Right (Product) 1* 16 students- All the paper

Addressing Misconceptions n Common misconceptions n Equilibrium means equal amounts of reactant and product.

Rate Limiting Step Overall Reaction Pwad (table) Pwad (trash) Mechanism Pwad (table) Pwad (Alice)

Summary We have a good time. Students are actively involved in the classroom. Misconceptions

Slides: 15

Download presentation

Throwing Paper Wads in the Classroom– Really Active Student Learning by Jessica and Jeffery Orvis

Georgia Southern University n n n Almost 2000 students per year in general chemistry Small classes (48 maximum) Table seating in the classroom

Equilibrium n Common misconceptions n n n Equilibrium means equal amounts of reactant and product. A reaction at equilibrium has stopped. Equilibrium can only be achieved by starting with reactants.

Paper Wad Demonstration Rules 1. Each student wads up two paper wads. 2. You must start and stop as the timekeeper says. 3. Throw only one paper wad at a time. 4. If a paper wad lands next to you, you must throw it back.

Pwad (left) Pwad (right)

Equal Number of Students on Each Side of the Classroom Time (s) 0 Left Right 64 0 5 29 39 10 32 32 15 30 34 20 31 33 Pwad (left) Pwad (right)

30 Students on the Left Side– 2 Students on the Right Side Time (s) 0 Left Right 0 64 5 4 60 10 7 57 15 9 55 20 8 56 Pwad (left) Pwad (right)

30 Students on the Left Side– 2 Students on the Right Side Time (s) 0 Left Right 64 0 5 29 35 10 15 49 15 9 55 20 11 53 Pwad (left) Pwad (right)

Six Possible Demonstrations Experiment Left (Reactant) Right (Product) 1* 16 students- All the paper wads 16 students- No paper wads 2 16 students- No paper wads 16 students- All the paper wads 3* 30 students- All the paper wads 2 students- No paper wads 4* 30 students- No paper wads 2 students- All the paper wads 2 students- No paper wads 2 students- All the paper wads 30 students- No paper wads 30 students- All the paper wads 5 6

Addressing Misconceptions n Common misconceptions n Equilibrium means equal amounts of reactant and product. n n A reaction at equilibrium has stopped. n n No– A reaction can be at equilibrium and have more paper wads on the product side of the room. No-- The paper wads keep flying in both directions even after equilibrium is achieved. Equilibrium can only be achieved by starting with reactants. n No– Equilibrium can also be achieved when starting with all of the paper wads on the product side of the room.

Rate Limiting Step Overall Reaction Pwad (table) Pwad (trash) Mechanism Pwad (table) Pwad (Alice) Pwad (Bob) Pwad (Chris) Pwad (Donna) Pwad (trash)

Summary We have a good time. Students are actively involved in the classroom. Misconceptions regarding equilibrium are addressed.