Molecule Design Challenge Pre-Activity


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Title Molecule Design Challenge Pre-Activity
Description An Engineering Design Project The Pre-Activity uses the Molecule Shapes: Basics to introduce students to the idea of atoms bonding. Students have just finished a study of electron configuration, quantum numbers, and periodic trends. They are expected to have no prior knowledge of VSEPR Theory or bonding. The Molecule Design Challenge asks students to create a 3D model of a common binary compound using their growing knowledge of bond angles. Students use PhET's Molecule Shapes to "test and evaluate" their original design and to direct their redesign. Then they will use the classroom set of molecular ball-and-stick models to perform a second "test and evaluate" of their design and to direct a final redesign.
Subject Chemistry, Other
Level High School
Type Guided Activity, Other
Duration 30 minutes
Answers Included No
Language English
Keywords Electronegativity, Engineering Design, Molecular Geometry, VSEPR Theory
Simulation(s) Molecule Shapes (HTML5), Molecule Shapes: Basics (HTML5)


Author(s) Ashley Webb
School / Organization DeSoto Central High School
Date submitted 2/14/18
Date updated 7/10/18