Energy in Chemical Bonds

A five-day high school chemistry unit exploring thermochemistry, collision theory, enthalpy diagrams, and calorimetry through the lens of body heat and chemical reactions. Students investigate the anchoring phenomenon of exercise-induced heat while mastering TEKS C.13 standards.

OMOlutoyin Makinde

Hess Pathfinders

Students discover the additive nature of enthalpy through a hands-on chemical puzzle, using Hess's Law to calculate enthalpy changes for complex reactions using multiple intermediate steps.

Color of Heat

Students investigate the anchoring phenomenon of body heat during exercise, observe the high-energy Sugar Cube Fireworks demonstration, and prepare for thermodynamic investigations.

Phase Shift Secrets

A high-energy, station-based lesson where students investigate the thermodynamics of phase changes. Students analyze intermolecular forces to explain why melting is endothermic and freezing is exothermic, using evidence from heating curves and molecular models.

Hand Warmer Hunt

A whole-group inquiry lab where students measure temperature changes in different chemical solutions to design effective hand warmers, focusing on system-surroundings heat transfer.

Crystal Collapse

A quantitative investigation into latent heat. Students use calorimetry data to calculate the enthalpy of fusion for ice and model the molecular-level energy transitions that occur during phase change plateaus.

Collision Shuffle

A station-rotation lesson where students model molecular collisions, sort enthalpy diagrams, and practice bond energy calculations through interactive group work.

Energy Landscapes

Students develop and evaluate models for exothermic and endothermic reactions, using literacy strategies to deepen their understanding of enthalpy changes.

Thermal Showdown

A comprehensive review day featuring a thermochemistry game board and revisiting the anchoring phenomenon to evaluate mastery of energy in chemical bonds.