UNIT PLAN: FROM ATOMS TO POLYMERS Father Judge High School Grade 9 Physical Science Mr. A. Gutzler

TEACHING CONTENT This unit will follow the units on the scientific method and the classification of matter It will begin with an introduction to atomic structure. Students will develop an understanding of the relationship between the fundamentals of atomic structure and the periodic table of the elements They will then progress on to an understanding of how simple compounds are formed, e.g., water and table salt, which will provide the basic principles for understanding the structure of more complex molecules such as hydrocarbons and finally polymers Examples of compounds will be provided as each level of complexity is studied Finally, they will make something from scratch (i.e. using as basic substances as reasonable, i.e., materials that can be obtained from the earth), possibly a simple toy that has certain properties that they will test for.

UNIT GOALS AND RATIONALE Students will: Understand the basic structure of the atom Understand the origin of matter by learning some history of the early universe Understand the information that is provided by the periodic table of the elements and how that information is related to the structure of atoms Understand the basic concepts of the formation of chemical bonds Understand that compounds may be relatively simple or very complex Understand that the properties of compounds are determined by their component elements and by the spatial arrangement of those elements Understand the principles of scientific measurement and learn some basic measurement techniques Understand the role of researching scientific literature Understand that before polymers could be made, people had to learn how to use the materials of the earth by understanding their properties and how substances will react with one another

UNIT OBJECTIVES Students will be able to use the information provided by the periodic table to make predictions about the ability of elements to form compounds with one another Students will use their knowledge of chemical bonds to make predictions about the physical arrangement of the atoms in compounds Students will use their understanding of the physical arrangement of the atoms in a compound to make statements about the properties of that compound. Students will be able to use basic laboratory measurement skills and research methods to make a simple compound using substances that will be provided Students will be able to construct models of monomers and polymers that show the relationship between these two classifications of molecules Students will understand that polymers can be treated in ways to give them certain desired properties Students will use testing methods to evaluate the properties of their compound, i.e., they will design their own laboratory experiment using the skills they have learned

UNIT CONTENT The following will be taught: The current understanding of the structure of the atom. The structure of the periodic table and the information it contains The relationship of the metric system to the scale of atoms and molecules The relationship between the electron configuration of atoms, their place on the periodic table and their ability to form chemical compounds. The structure of molecules classified as monomers and those classified as polymers How to use and understand the information contained in references How to put it all together to make something which can be tested for certain properties

CONNECTION TO RET EXPERIENCE Relate the concepts they have learned to the polymer I made emphasizing the following: – Why were the particular copolymers chosen? (USE OF REFERENCES) – How were the amounts measured out? (MEASUREMENT OF SMALL QUANTITIES) – How were the samples tested? (COMPRESSION, NMR, ESEM) These will need to be explained at their level of understanding and related to the types of testing of the substance they made (DESIGNING AN EXPERIMENT)

CONNECTION TO RET EXPERIENCE Allow students to speculate about possible polymers there might be in the future How do scientists and engineers come up with their ideas? Students will identify future needs for new materials

UNIT SCHEDULE This unit will probably take about one month to complete. It will include: – Library research – Laboratory work – Various activities (model building, e.g., make a model of methane) to reinforce concepts such as bonding and geometric shapes of molecules

UNIT SCHEDULE Week 1 Monday – introduction to atomic theory and structure Tuesday – understanding how the periodic table is related to atomic structure Wednesday – Laboratory activity: making models of atoms using magnetic dots Thursday –Laboratory activity: constructing electron configurations using the periodic table Friday – introduction to chemical bonding using the concept of electron configuration Week 2 Monday – examination of simple compounds. Teacher demonstration of their behavior based on properties obtained from references (e.g., heating sugar in a test tube and observing the result) Tuesday – in class reading (A Scientist at the Seashore) followed by laboratory examination of sand and the dissolving of salt Wednesday – the structure of more complex compounds: Carbon chemistry Thursday – Laboratory activity: making models of hydrocarbons using model kit Friday – relating the geometric shapes of organic molecules to their properties

UNIT SCHEDULE Week 3 Monday – monomers and polymers; Introduce the unit activity, making a polymer Tuesday – Computer Laboratory activity: INTERNET research about the materials they will have to work with Wednesday – cross-linking as the key to successful polymers; examples of common cross linking substances Thursday – understanding the process of making polymers Friday – Laboratory activity – getting started on their polymer Week 4 Week 4 will concentrate on students continuing to develop their polymer, test it, put their results into a laboratory report and develop a PowerPoint presentation.

UNIT RESOURCES AND MATERIALS PowerPoint presentation of lessons, e.g., Atomic Theory Periodic table of the Elements (in their Student Planner) Guided in-class reading Magnetic dot kits Molecular model kits Microscopes for examining salt, sugar, sand, seashells, etc. Stereo microscopes for examining crystals Internet Resources including United Streaming Textbook: Physical Science: Concepts in Action Book: A Scientist at the Seashore Rubric for evaluating the Experiment Laboratory equipment Laboratory Worksheets Hydrogel developed in the Biomaterials Laboratory at Drexel

UNIT ASSESSMENT PLAN Homework will assigned and reviewed A written report or PowerPoint presentation summarizing their work will be required Laboratory experiments will be performed and graded Class session on the results of the experiment in developing their polymer A test will be given at the end of the unit