1. Organic vs. Inorganic Materials
Environmental Literacy Project Michigan State University
Lesson 5 Activity 2
Organic vs. Inorganic Materials
Credit: Craig Douglas, Michigan State University
Lesson 5.2 Organic vs Inorganic Materials

2. Driving questions
Photo Credits:
Ethanol: FableVision
Water Glass and Logs Burning: Hannah Miller, Michigan State University
Open Lesson 5.2 Organic vs. Inorganic Presentation.
Show students Slides 2-6 to zoom in to water, ethanol, and wood from the macroscopic down to the atomic-molecular scale. Tell students that the materials are similar in the kinds of atoms that they are made of, but that they are different in the kinds of bonds between the atoms: ethanol and wood have high-energy C-C and C-H bonds; water does not. Tell students that wood is a mixture of many substances, and that cellulose is the most abundant of these substances.
Show students the Slides 7 and 8 to point out that the atoms found in the three materials are similar.
Show students Slides 9-11 to point out that the bonds between the atoms are different: ethanol and wood have high-energy C-C and C-H bonds, and that water does not.
Why can some things burn while other things cannot burn? Why does ethanol behave more like wood than like water?

3. Why does ethanol behave more like wood than water?
Organic and Inorganic Materials
Why does ethanol behave more like wood than water?
Open Lesson 5.2 Organic vs. Inorganic Presentation.
Show students Slides 2-6 to zoom in to water, ethanol, and wood from the macroscopic down to the atomic-molecular scale. Tell students that the materials are similar in the kinds of atoms that they are made of, but that they are different in the kinds of bonds between the atoms: ethanol and wood have high-energy C-C and C-H bonds; water does not. Tell students that wood is a mixture of many substances, and that cellulose is the most abundant of these substances.
Show students the Slides 7 and 8 to point out that the atoms found in the three materials are similar.
Show students Slides 9-11 to point out that the bonds between the atoms are different: ethanol and wood have high-energy C-C and C-H bonds, and that water does not.

4. What we see… Macroscopic Scale
Photo Credits:
Ethanol: FableVision
Water Glass and Logs Burning: Hannah Miller, Michigan State University
Open Lesson 5.2 Organic vs. Inorganic Presentation.
Show students Slides 2-6 to zoom in to water, ethanol, and wood from the macroscopic down to the atomic-molecular scale. Tell students that the materials are similar in the kinds of atoms that they are made of, but that they are different in the kinds of bonds between the atoms: ethanol and wood have high-energy C-C and C-H bonds; water does not. Tell students that wood is a mixture of many substances, and that cellulose is the most abundant of these substances.
Show students the Slides 7 and 8 to point out that the atoms found in the three materials are similar.
Show students Slides 9-11 to point out that the bonds between the atoms are different: ethanol and wood have high-energy C-C and C-H bonds, and that water does not.
Ethanol
Water
Wood

5. Zooming out… Large Scale
Water
Photo Credit: Craig Douglas, Michigan State University
Open Lesson 5.2 Organic vs. Inorganic Presentation.
Show students Slides 2-6 to zoom in to water, ethanol, and wood from the macroscopic down to the atomic-molecular scale. Tell students that the materials are similar in the kinds of atoms that they are made of, but that they are different in the kinds of bonds between the atoms: ethanol and wood have high-energy C-C and C-H bonds; water does not. Tell students that wood is a mixture of many substances, and that cellulose is the most abundant of these substances.
Show students the Slides 7 and 8 to point out that the atoms found in the three materials are similar.
Show students Slides 9-11 to point out that the bonds between the atoms are different: ethanol and wood have high-energy C-C and C-H bonds, and that water does not.
Petroleum
Wood

6. Zooming in… Microscopic and Atomic-Molecular Scales
Photo Credits:
Water Droplet: Craig Douglas, Michigan State University
Ethanol Droplet: Craig Douglas, Michigan State University
Paper Fibers: Courtesy of Maria Carbajo and FEI
Open Lesson 5.2 Organic vs. Inorganic Presentation.
Show students Slides 2-6 to zoom in to water, ethanol, and wood from the macroscopic down to the atomic-molecular scale. Tell students that the materials are similar in the kinds of atoms that they are made of, but that they are different in the kinds of bonds between the atoms: ethanol and wood have high-energy C-C and C-H bonds; water does not. Tell students that wood is a mixture of many substances, and that cellulose is the most abundant of these substances.
Show students the Slides 7 and 8 to point out that the atoms found in the three materials are similar.
Show students Slides 9-11 to point out that the bonds between the atoms are different: ethanol and wood have high-energy C-C and C-H bonds, and that water does not.
Water droplet
(Atomic-Molecular)
Paper Fibers (Microscopic)
Ethanol droplet (Atomic-Molecular)

7. Zooming in… Atomic-molecular Scale
Ethanol molecule (C2H5OH)
Water molecule (H2O)
Cellulose: an important part of wood (C6H10O5)n
Photo Credit: Craig Douglas, Michigan State University
Open Lesson 5.2 Organic vs. Inorganic Presentation.
Show students Slides 2-6 to zoom in to water, ethanol, and wood from the macroscopic down to the atomic-molecular scale. Tell students that the materials are similar in the kinds of atoms that they are made of, but that they are different in the kinds of bonds between the atoms: ethanol and wood have high-energy C-C and C-H bonds; water does not. Tell students that wood is a mixture of many substances, and that cellulose is the most abundant of these substances.
Show students the Slides 7 and 8 to point out that the atoms found in the three materials are similar.
Show students Slides 9-11 to point out that the bonds between the atoms are different: ethanol and wood have high-energy C-C and C-H bonds, and that water does not.

8. What ATOMS are found in these materials?
Ethanol molecule (C2H5OH)
Water molecule (H2O)
Cellulose (C6H10O5)n
Photo Credit: Craig Douglas, Michigan State University
Open Lesson 5.2 Organic vs. Inorganic Presentation.
Show students Slides 2-6 to zoom in to water, ethanol, and wood from the macroscopic down to the atomic-molecular scale. Tell students that the materials are similar in the kinds of atoms that they are made of, but that they are different in the kinds of bonds between the atoms: ethanol and wood have high-energy C-C and C-H bonds; water does not. Tell students that wood is a mixture of many substances, and that cellulose is the most abundant of these substances.
Show students the Slides 7 and 8 to point out that the atoms found in the three materials are similar.
Show students Slides 9-11 to point out that the bonds between the atoms are different: ethanol and wood have high-energy C-C and C-H bonds, and that water does not.

9. What ATOMS are found in these materials?
Water molecule (H2O)
Ethanol molecule (C2H5OH)
ATOMS FOUND IN EACH MOLECULE:
Water: Hydrogen, Oxygen
Ethanol: Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon
Wood: Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon
Cellulose (C6H10O5)n
Photo Credit: Craig Douglas, Michigan State University
Open Lesson 5.2 Organic vs. Inorganic Presentation.
Show students Slides 2-6 to zoom in to water, ethanol, and wood from the macroscopic down to the atomic-molecular scale. Tell students that the materials are similar in the kinds of atoms that they are made of, but that they are different in the kinds of bonds between the atoms: ethanol and wood have high-energy C-C and C-H bonds; water does not. Tell students that wood is a mixture of many substances, and that cellulose is the most abundant of these substances.
Show students the Slides 7 and 8 to point out that the atoms found in the three materials are similar.
Show students Slides 9-11 to point out that the bonds between the atoms are different: ethanol and wood have high-energy C-C and C-H bonds, and that water does not.

10. Ethanol molecule (C2H5OH)
What BONDS are found in these materials?
Water molecule (H2O)
Ethanol molecule (C2H5OH)
Cellulose (C6H10O5)n
Photo Credit: Craig Douglas, Michigan State University
Open Lesson 5.2 Organic vs. Inorganic Presentation.
Show students Slides 2-6 to zoom in to water, ethanol, and wood from the macroscopic down to the atomic-molecular scale. Tell students that the materials are similar in the kinds of atoms that they are made of, but that they are different in the kinds of bonds between the atoms: ethanol and wood have high-energy C-C and C-H bonds; water does not. Tell students that wood is a mixture of many substances, and that cellulose is the most abundant of these substances.
Show students the Slides 7 and 8 to point out that the atoms found in the three materials are similar.
Show students Slides 9-11 to point out that the bonds between the atoms are different: ethanol and wood have high-energy C-C and C-H bonds, and that water does not.

11. Ethanol molecule (C2H5OH)
What BONDS are found in these materials?
Water molecule (H2O)
Ethanol molecule (C2H5OH)
BONDS FOUND IN EACH MOLECULE:
Water: H-O
Ethanol: H-O, C-O, C-H, C-C
Wood: H-O, C-O, C-H, C-C
Cellulose (C6H10O5)n
Photo Credit: Craig Douglas, Michigan State University
Open Lesson 5.2 Organic vs. Inorganic Presentation.
Show students Slides 2-6 to zoom in to water, ethanol, and wood from the macroscopic down to the atomic-molecular scale. Tell students that the materials are similar in the kinds of atoms that they are made of, but that they are different in the kinds of bonds between the atoms: ethanol and wood have high-energy C-C and C-H bonds; water does not. Tell students that wood is a mixture of many substances, and that cellulose is the most abundant of these substances.
Show students the Slides 7 and 8 to point out that the atoms found in the three materials are similar.
Show students Slides 9-11 to point out that the bonds between the atoms are different: ethanol and wood have high-energy C-C and C-H bonds, and that water does not.

12. What BONDS are found in these materials?
Water molecule (H2O)
Ethanol molecule (C2H5OH)
Chemical Energy
Energy found in the bonds of molecules.
C-C and C-H bonds means molecules have available chemical energy.
So which materials have available chemical energy?
Cellulose (C6H10O5)n
Photo Credit: Craig Douglas, Michigan State University
Show students Slides to contrast materials that burn (fuels) with materials that do not burn. Explain to students that the difference between the two groups of materials is in the bonds, not the atoms.
Show students Slide 17 to introduce and label these two types of materials. Tell students that in this context, organic is a chemical term - it does not mean “natural” or refer to a certain kind of food.
Show students Slide 18 to point out that food and the bodies of humans and other animals are made largely of water and organic materials: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Tell students that they will return to the chemical composition of these organic materials in later Carbon TIME Units.

13. MATTER AND ENERGY Every molecule has both ATOMS and BONDS
ATOMS TELL YOU ABOUT MATTER
BONDS TELL YOU ABOUT ENERGY
Photo Credit: Craig Douglas, Michigan State University
Show students Slides to contrast materials that burn (fuels) with materials that do not burn. Explain to students that the difference between the two groups of materials is in the bonds, not the atoms.
Show students Slide 17 to introduce and label these two types of materials. Tell students that in this context, organic is a chemical term - it does not mean “natural” or refer to a certain kind of food.
Show students Slide 18 to point out that food and the bodies of humans and other animals are made largely of water and organic materials: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Tell students that they will return to the chemical composition of these organic materials in later Carbon TIME Units.

14. Materials That Do NOT Burn
Materials That Burn
Materials That Do NOT Burn
WOOD
WATER
SALT
BUTANE
CARBON DIOXIDE
Photo Credit: Craig Douglas, Michigan State University
Show students Slides to contrast materials that burn (fuels) with materials that do not burn. Explain to students that the difference between the two groups of materials is in the bonds, not the atoms.
Show students Slide 17 to introduce and label these two types of materials. Tell students that in this context, organic is a chemical term - it does not mean “natural” or refer to a certain kind of food.
Show students Slide 18 to point out that food and the bodies of humans and other animals are made largely of water and organic materials: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Tell students that they will return to the chemical composition of these organic materials in later Carbon TIME Units.
PROPANE
ETHANOL
OXYGEN
NITROGEN

15. How are these different?
What makes these burn?
How are these different?
WOOD
WATER
SALT
BUTANE
CARBON DIOXIDE
Photo Credit: Craig Douglas, Michigan State University
Show students Slides to contrast materials that burn (fuels) with materials that do not burn. Explain to students that the difference between the two groups of materials is in the bonds, not the atoms.
Show students Slide 17 to introduce and label these two types of materials. Tell students that in this context, organic is a chemical term - it does not mean “natural” or refer to a certain kind of food.
Show students Slide 18 to point out that food and the bodies of humans and other animals are made largely of water and organic materials: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Tell students that they will return to the chemical composition of these organic materials in later Carbon TIME Units.
PROPANE
ETHANOL
OXYGEN
NITROGEN

16. Ethanol molecule (C2H5OH)
Water, Ethanol, and Wood
Ethanol and wood both have C-C and C-H bonds.
Water molecule (H2O)
Ethanol molecule (C2H5OH)
Photo Credit: Craig Douglas, Michigan State University
Show students Slides to contrast materials that burn (fuels) with materials that do not burn. Explain to students that the difference between the two groups of materials is in the bonds, not the atoms.
Show students Slide 17 to introduce and label these two types of materials. Tell students that in this context, organic is a chemical term - it does not mean “natural” or refer to a certain kind of food.
Show students Slide 18 to point out that food and the bodies of humans and other animals are made largely of water and organic materials: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Tell students that they will return to the chemical composition of these organic materials in later Carbon TIME Units.
Cellulose (C6H10O5)n

17. ORGANIC INORGANIC --means the molecule has C-C and C-H bonds
--means the molecule does not have C-C and C-H bonds
WOOD
WATER
SALT
BUTANE
CARBON DIOXIDE
Photo Credit: Craig Douglas, Michigan State University
Show students Slides to contrast materials that burn (fuels) with materials that do not burn. Explain to students that the difference between the two groups of materials is in the bonds, not the atoms.
Show students Slide 17 to introduce and label these two types of materials. Tell students that in this context, organic is a chemical term - it does not mean “natural” or refer to a certain kind of food.
Show students Slide 18 to point out that food and the bodies of humans and other animals are made largely of water and organic materials: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Tell students that they will return to the chemical composition of these organic materials in later Carbon TIME Units.
PROPANE
ETHANOL
OXYGEN
NITROGEN

18. What Makes Up Living Things?
Average Human
Average Apple
Average Chicken
Water
Carbo-hydrate
Protein
Fat
Minerals
Average human
60% 1%
15%
23%
<1%
Average apple
85%
14%
0.5%
Average chicken
62%
30% 8%
Show students Slides to contrast materials that burn (fuels) with materials that do not burn. Explain to students that the difference between the two groups of materials is in the bonds, not the atoms.
Show students Slide 17 to introduce and label these two types of materials. Tell students that in this context, organic is a chemical term - it does not mean “natural” or refer to a certain kind of food.
Show students Slide 18 to point out that food and the bodies of humans and other animals are made largely of water and organic materials: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Tell students that they will return to the chemical composition of these organic materials in later Carbon TIME Units.
Inorganic: Water, minerals; Organic: carbohydrates, fats, proteins