Skip to main content

Chemistry Experiments for Your Homeschool



Chemistry is a very interesting subject for any homeschool science curriculum. It deals in reaction between two or more substances, color changes, heat production, production of sound energy, and much more. There is chemistry all around us, from a boiling egg, to making of pop corns, ripening of bananas, and burning firewood. As you study this subject, you will learn that there are essentially two kinds of changes: chemical and physical. 

  1. Physical changes are those changes where the substance appears different, but it is still the same in its constituency. For instance, when a sheet of paper is torn, the consequence may be pieces of paper. However, it is still paper.
  2. Chemical changes are those changes where atoms in the molecules are rearranged and create a different substance all together. Moreover, there is alteration in energy and color. For instance, when paper is burnt, the molecules making the paper undergo transformation and you obtain gaseous or solid ash molecules of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
How can you tell if the change is chemical or physical? 

Here are a few tips:
It is a chemical change if:
  1. There is a formation of a new chemical
  2. Color changes
  3. Gas is released
  4. Some form of energy is released
  5. Substance gets hot
Setting up a Chemistry Lab in your house:
You will need a strong table. Make sure to cover it with a plastic tablecloth. Place some bottles with different powders and liquids (reactants), muffin cups and measuring spoons.
Materials needed: rubbing alcohol, water, vinegar (acetic acid), clear dish liquid, citric acid, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, washing soda, salt, cream of tartar, sugar, etc.

Aim: To understand which reactions are physical changes and which ones are chemical changes.

Process: Use the muffin cups and combine two liquids or more to see what happens. Also, touch the muffin cups to see if there is any fall or rise in temperature.

Precaution: while all these materials are safe, they may cause itchy and dry skin and sore eyes. Make sure you wear protective goggles and gloves.

Try these combinations and see what happens: 

  1. Water + Citric acid +baking soda
  2. Vinegar + Baking soda
  3. Water + Baking soda
  4. Liquid soap + Salt + water
  5. Water + Sugar
  6. Water + Salt
  7. Salt + Sugar + water
  8. Liquid soap + Citric acid
  9. Vinegar + Washing soda  
  10. Cream of tartar + Baking soda
  11. Water + Vinegar
Chemistry will become a lot more fun for your homeschooling student when you add live experiments to learning. There are so many amazing science experiments you can perform by searching about them on the internet.
Labels:
Location: Canada

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The significance of field trips when homeschooling

A significant part of the learning process is taking your children out to pursue learning opportunities, especially if you are a homeschooling parent. After all, academic knowledge amounts to nothing if it is not applied to the real world. In case you are searching for tips to help your children learn when on a field trip, then here are a few ideas that can help in enriching their knowledge on a range of different subjects. Thecountry’s administration and its history: Spend a day at the museum: there are so many museums in Canada and it is likely that there are at least a few of them close to your house. Take you children there and spend you day bringing all their history lessons into life. Take your child out to see the local police and fire station. This way, the little ones learn more about how municipal workers work and how they react to emergencies. Teach them how the mailing system works at the post office. Make them write letters, then visit the local post o...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to homeschool a teenager?

There is no doubt that teaching a teen or a high school student can be the most nerve wracking. Thankfully, it is not as difficult as you think it to be. In fact, as teenagers have a stronger sense of logic, if taught patiently, they can be the easiest to teach. Here are some tips that can assist you get started! 1. Planning the entire year For ensuring a smooth and easy homeschooling journey, begin with a lot of planning! Start looking at high school curriculums as early as possible. Keep your eyes open for anything related to high school homeschooling from as early as 7 th grade. 2. Choosing electives Electives are an important part of high school. Electives assist children in discovering subjects that are outside of their core subjects. Start by creating a detailed list of electives options for your child. Sit down with your teen and try to narrow down the list by choosing the ones that will really suit their interests, fulfill their high school requirements, and w...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to create a positive learning enviroment in your house?

A nurturing and positive learning environment is very important irrespective of where the education of the child takes place. Here are a few practical tips that can help homeschoolers offer an atmosphere that is conducive to learning. Set a specific area for classes While some children like to study in silence other like it when others are within their close vicinity. While some families have big houses that offer space for dedicated learning, others integrate their study area in the common living room of their house. No matter the size of the space, make sure the rooms are well lit, clean, orderly and distraction free. Have a positive attitude within the house Attitudes and moods can be infectious, so it is important that you keep any negativity aside – whether it is tension, anger or impatience – before entering the home classroom. Little children are expectedly perceptive and can pick up on attitudes easily. Establish daily goals that are practical and reali...
Post a Comment
Read more