Gas+Laws

Lesson plan developed by Steve Colletti through the CT-STEM Saturday Workshops, 2011-2012

Purpose
To show students that complex systems can be modeled using computer simulations as well as data tables and graphical relationships while providing a deeper understanding of gas laws.

Overview
Students will be assigned 1-4 gas laws graphing activities to do alone or with a partner on a computer. The activities require students to interact with a computer simulation modeling a relationship from the equation PV=nRT. Students will be asked to predict graphical relationships, collect and sort data, and produce a final graph that describes the relationship.

Student Outcomes
__ RST.9-10.3. __ Follow precisely a complex multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks, attending to special cases or exceptions defined in the text. __ RST.9-10.7 __. Translate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text into visual form (e.g., a table or chart) and translate information expressed visually or mathematically (e.g., in an equation) into words. Predict a graphical relationship from text. Interact with computer models of a microscopic situation Gather data based on computer simulations Use spreadsheet program to sort, compile, and graph data Students are introduced to gas laws.

Time
This lesson requires about 20 minutes per activity (4 total activities). It is recommended that the teacher assign the activities Jigsaw style, having students do one or two activities on day one, and then come together on day 2 to discuss the results.

Level
This was done for students of grades 9 and 10 primarily with some 11 and 12 during a co-taught level physical science class.

Materials and Tools
Computer with internet connection. Uses @http://group.chem.iastate.edu/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/gaslaw/boyles_law_new.html

Suggested equipment needed: Overhead projector for day 2. Supplementary documents or handouts attached.

Preparation
Make sure that all links on activities are active and working. Email students the spreadsheet and the activities with active hyperlinks.

Prerequisites
Intro to gas laws discussion. Previous units: States of matter, Density, Solubility, PT with Trends activity

Background
Gas laws have an impact on several aspects of our lives. We may have ideas about what happens when we leave a soccer ball outside on a cold night and wake up to find it shrunken and dew-covered, but can we describe it in terms of variables, graphs, and relationships?

Teaching Notes
If possible, email activities and spreadsheet to students. You may want to model the one of the activities for students on the overhead. When you collect data, be sure to collect a random sample (out of any order). This will ensure that the students do not see patterns before they collect and sort their data. Group students in pairs if necessary, and assign students to do one or two of the activities provided. Keep track so that the activities are spread out among the class in order to facilitate discussion on day 2. Students will be largely self-sufficient in this lesson, but many may need help getting started. Some students will naturally see patterns before sorting data, but remind them that they have to produce a data table and graph (scatter plot with best fit line) to turn in.

Assessment
Data and spreadsheets as well as a print out of activity will be turned in to teacher.

Additional Information
This lesson was originally done using Excel 2010 with students who were somewhat familiar with using the sort function. You may need to adjust any instructions on sorting, charting, etc. if you decide to use a different program.