Balancing Act

Summary

Students will use wooden atoms to model and balance a chemical reaction.

Materials

• station equations (attached)
• student sheet (attached)
• wooden atomic model kits, enough for 10 stations, group sizes of 4,
• colored pencils (optional)

Instructional Procedures

1. Set up and count the number and kinds of atoms needed at each station. You can have students figure out which atom is which color based on the ratios you provide or you can tell them on a card.
2. Copy worksheets.
3. Reach the directions with students explaining anything about chemical reactions and balancing equations that they might need additional reinforcement.
4. Divide students into groups and start them at different stations.
5. Move students from station to station as they finish.

Assessment Plan

ANSWER KEY:
Stations:
#1 -- __2_ H2 + ___ O2!_2__ H2O
#2 -- ___ N2 + _3__ H2!_2__ NH3
#3 -- _2__ KClO3 ! __2_ KCl + _3__ O2
#4 -- ___ CH4 + _2__ O2!___ CO2 + _2__ H2O
#5 -- ___ PbCl2 + ___ Na2S!___ PbS + _2__ NaCl
#6 -- __6_ Li + ___ N2 ! __2_ Li3N
#7 -- _4__Na + ___ O2 !__2_ Na2O
#8 -- ___ H2 + ___ Cl2!_2__ HCl
#9 -- _2__NaCl + ___ F2 ! __2_ NaF + ___Cl2
#10 -- _4__ P + __5_ O2 !__2_ P2O5

Bibliography

Lesson Design by Jordan School District Teachers and Staff.