What's NEW at The Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom » What's NEW at TPC?

What's NEW at The Physics Classroom?

We've been at this task of providing students, teachers, and classrooms high-quality, ready-to-use resources for a long time. And we are as passionate about it now as we were 29 years ago when we started. We are always working on something new. But it is such a big website that the new additions often get nested deep inside of a section and are never noticed for months or even years after being published. So we're aiming to fix that problem with this page of announcements. Visit this page to find out about our most recent additions. And check back often in anticipation of finding new surprises.

April, 2025

April 22, 2025

Friday Fixes:

There were numerous edits made this week. Here's a summary:

Chemistry Curriculum Corner's Combined Gas Law and other Variations had important volume information on Part 2 - Problem 1 omitted by accident. This has been restored.

Chemistry Curriculum Corner - Gas Laws 4 Fix

Page 3 of 5 pages of Lesson 1 in Chapter 12 of our Chemistry Tutorial is now live. The page is titled Energy and Chemical Reactions. The page discusses the meaning of chemical potential energy, the energy required to break bonds, the energy released when forming bonds, and the overall energy change. System diagrams, energy level diagrams, and the terms endothermic and exothermic and introduced and used. The best part of the page might be the graphic at the very bottom of the page.

April 22, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Chapter 12 - Energy and Chemical Reactions

April 21, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Chapter 12 - Heat and Temperature

Our second page of Lesson 1 in Chapter 12 of our Chemistry Tutorial is now live. The page is titled Heat and Temperature and discusses the distinction between heat and temperature and the connection between energy changes within a system and the direction of heat flow from or to the surroundings.

April 19, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Chapter 12 - Energy

Our first page of Chapter 12 of our Chemistry Tutorial is now live. The page is titled Energy and makes an effort to describe what energy is. Key concepts include work, heat production, kinetic energy, and potential energy. The law of conservation of energy is introduced and concept of a system and surroundings is discussed. System diagrams are introduced.

April 18, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Chapter 12 - Thermochemistry

We have published the Table of Contents for Chapter 12 of our Chemistry Tutorial. The first pages will come out next week. We should be finishing up sometime in first half of May.

Friday Fixes:

There were numerous edits made this week. Here's a summary:

Calculator Pad: Vectors and Forces in Two Dimensions, Problem F2D2Q3: Question 3 of our second problem set in the Vectors and Forces in Two Dimensions area needed some adjustment to the range of values allowed by the random generator. The net force was zero to negative under a rare set of values..
Concept Builders: Balanced vs. Unbalanced Torques: We cleaned up some wording for all the questions in the first part of the activity. The questions are now less ambiguous. Version 2.2.1 has the fix.
Concept Builders: Question Specific Help Links: This one is big. Every question in Concept Builders is linked to a question-specific help page. Some had broken links. And some of the View Directions buttons had broken links. We have fixed the links for Words and Charts, Energy Analysis 2, Angular Acceleration, Total Internal Reflection, Stoichiometry Law Breakers, Atomic Models, Measuring the Quantity of Heat, Equilibrium Constant Expression, Periodic Table Battleship, and Lab Safety.

April 17, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Alloys

We have completed the final page of Lesson 3 in our newest chapter of the Chemistry Tutorial. This final page is on the topic of Alloys. We have now completed Chapter 11 of our Chemistry Tutorial. We will start in on Chapter 12 tomorrow on the topic of Thermochemistry; our Table of Content should go live.

April 16, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Amorphous Solids

We have completed the second page of Lesson 3 in our newest chapter of the Chemistry Tutorial. This page is on the topic of Amorphous Solids. We should be finishing up the chapter tomorrow.

April 15, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Crystalline Solids

We have completed the first page of Lesson 3 in our newest chapter of the Chemistry Tutorial. This page is on the topic of Crystalline Solids. We should be finishing up the chapter this week.

April 14, 2025

Minds On Physics - Help Pages

Every question in a Minds On Physics mission has a Help button that leads the students to some question-specific help. At least ... it should. We found several help pages that were non-existent of incomplete and have applied the fixes. Now every one of the some-5000 questions should lead to some help with the click of a button. The fixes were applied to ...

Newton's Laws Module, Mission NL4: 2 question groups.
Forces in Two Dimensions Module, Mission F2D1: 1 question group.
Forces in Two Dimensions Module, Mission F2D2: 3 question groups.
Circular Motion and Gravitation Module, Mission CG8: 5 question groups.
Electric Circuits Module, Mission EC4: 1 question group.
Sound and Music Module, Mission SM3: 4 question groups.
Sound and Music Module, Mission SM7: 1 question group.
Sound and Music Module, Mission SM9: 1 question group.
Reflection and Mirrors Module, Mission RM3: 1 question group.
Refraction and Lenses Module, Mission RL8: 1 question group.

April 11, 2025

Friday Fixes:

Several edits were made this week. Here's a summary:

Calculator Pad: Electromagnetism, Problem EM5Q7: A question pertaining to a Coax cable asked about the magnetic field strength at the midpoint of the dielectric. Our answer formula used the wrong radius. It's now been fixed.
Concept Builders: Molecular Polarity: We have identified three questions that had incorrect answers. Version 2.2.4 has the fix.
Concept Builders: Horizontal Springs - Velocity and Force: The first activity part of this CB includes five answer options in text fields with a radio button beside it. One of the radio buttons was scripted wrong. A tap on that button was not working. Version 2.2.1 has the fix.
Chemistry Tutorial - Percent Yield: One of the calculations seemingly pulled a number from nowhere. That's been fixed and the solution makes much more sense now.

April 9, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Viscosity

We have completed Lesson 2 of our newest chapter of the Chemistry Tutorial. Our last page is now published. This page is on the topic of Viscosity. The lesson focuses on the impact of intermolecular forces upon the properties of liquids.

April 8, 2025

Conceptual Physics Course Pack

The Conceptual Physics Course Pack is now complete and available for purchase. This provides think sheets, labs (with answer keys) and bonus material for teaching Physics on a Conceptual level.

Conceptual Physics Lesson Plan and Prebuilt Task Tracker Course

Updates have been made to the Conceptual Physics Lesson Plan to align with the Course Pack. Additionally, the Prebuilt Conceptual Physics Course (and Homeschool Conceptual Physics Course) have been updated to include all the suggested tasks.

April 7, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Capillary Action

We have completed the fourth of five total pages in Lesson 2 of our newest chapter of the Chemistry Tutorial is now published. This page is on the topic of Capillary Action.

April 4, 2025

Friday Fixes:

We have made a couple of edits this week. Here's a summary:

Concept Builders: pH and pOH: There were some complaints about the Wizard level. One of the questions had a table cell with a hydronium concentration of 0.25495 ... M (as an example). That's how we keyed the answer (our usual strategy). Classrooms that honor significant digits would enter 0.25 M as the answer. The answer ended up being marked wrong because it was beyond the 2% rule we use to evaluate student input. Of course there'd be other issues if we keyed 0.25 as the answer. So our solution was to re-do all the tables so that there were a minimum three significant digits on every answer. Our 2% rule works fine with three significant digits.
Concept Builders: pH and pOH: Our Apprentice Level tables were mis-positioned relative to the answer input fields. So we fixed it again. Version 2.0.2 has the final fix. (We hope.)
Concept Builders: Mass on a Spring - Frequency and Period: There was a question in the Wizard level that had a mass vibating on a spring. Fortunately, it is now vibrating on a spring. That's one less spelling error at The Physics Classroom.

April 2, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Surface Tension

We have completed the third of five total pages in Lesson 2 of our newest chapter of the Chemistry Tutorial is now published. This page is on the topic of Surface Tension. The page explains what surface tension is, provides several illustrations of it, and discusses why the hydrogen bonding forces of water results in such a significant surface tension.

March, 2025

March 31, 2025

Curriculum Corner: Gases and Gas Laws

We have added another unit to the Chemistry curriculum at our Curriculum Corner section. The topic is Gases and Gas Laws and its overflowing with goodness for our Chemistry teachers. Our Curriculum Corner coordinates with our Chemistry Tutorial. Check it out! Additionally, we've updated the Chemistry Solutions Guide with these worksheets. If you purchased this in the past and you didn't receive an automatic update notice, please use the contact form and we'll get you an updated download.

March 29, 2025

NEW Section - Conceptual Physics Course Package

This is HUGE. And we are so excited about it. We have just published a quiet project that we hope will make a lot of noise. We have been working quietly on this project over the past several months. We have put together a collection of Think Sheets and Student Lab Sheets on 12 broad Physics topics and packaged it together as a downloadable product. The intent of this Course Package is to support teachers tasked with the duty of teaching a "Conceptual Physics" styled course. For those who have only taught College Prep Physics, Honors Physics, and AP Physics, the idea of a lower-leveled Physics course is quite foreign. But we've done it. Many times. Let us help. Check out our Conceptual Physics Course Package.

March 28, 2025

Friday Fixes:

We have made a few edits this past week. Here's a summary:

Science Reasoning Center: Heating Curves: The answer options for a Wizard Level questionin our Heating Curves activity needed some fixing. The question referened the point where the sample was 100% gas. The answer options were referring to liquids. This has been fixed. Version 1.1 has the fix.
Calculator Pad: We had an answer key error on Part a of question #2 of Problem Set TC12 in the Thermal Chemistry section. It has been fixed and the fix is live.
Solutions Guide: Work and Energy: The Think Sheet titled Work-Energy Calculations had an answer key error for Question #10. Two digits on the mass were transposed, leading to an error. The fix will be live in our next version.

It's worth saying. We always appreciate your help. If you're a teacher and you see an error, then tap the Contact link at the bottom of the page and file a report. Have a screenshot ready. Thanks.

March 27, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Vapor Pressure

We have added another page to our newest chapter of the Chemistry Tutorial is now published. This page is on the topic of Vapor Pressure and presents loads of graphics, data, and charts to illustrate the concept of vapor pressure and its dependence upon temperature, altitude, and the strength of intermolecular forces.

March 26, 2025

Physics Interactives: Audio Analyzer

You no longer need a class set of expensive microphone/amplifiers and software to measure the frequency of sound. Instead you need our new (FREE) Interactive titled Audio Analyzer. In a couple of easy steps, you will have the frequency of a sound. Game changer! Did we mention it was free?

March 25, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Melting and Boiling

The first page of Lesson 2 of our newest chapter of the Chemistry Tutorial is now published. The page discusses changes of state at the particle level. A heating curve is introduced and the significance of normal melting point and boiling point is discussed..

March 21, 2025

Transverse Sine Wave Maker Simulation - Student Activity Sheet

We added the Transverse Sine Wave Maker simulation to our collection of Physics sims about one month ago. Today we have added a Student Activity Sheet to accompany the simulation. We think the activity provides an excellent way to introduce the Wavlength-Frequency-Speed relationship. It involves collection of data, plotting of data, using a Desmos graph to best-fit the data, and the generation of an equation to describe the data. Check it out!!

Friday Fixes:

We have made several edits over the past couple of weeks. Here's a summary:

Concept Builders: Equilibrium: One of our questions displayed a quadrant four vector that had an incorrect angle description. Version 2.2.3 has the fix.
Science Reasoning Center: Electromagnetism, Part 2: There were two coding errors. Both have been fixed. One resulted in the trophy for the sixth activity not being displayed upon completion. The other was more fatal; student progress records were not being updated upon completions of the fourth activity (Getting Loopy). Both errors have been fixed. Version 1.1 has the fix.
Science Reasoning Center: Intermolecular Forces 2 (Melting and Boiling Points): We cleared up some language being used for two questions on the third activity for the melting points of metal halides. Version 1.1 has the fix.
Calculator Pad: Problem ST5Q1 in our Stoichiometry section had an incorrectly keyed answer for the first blank. It has been fixed and the fix is live.
Physics Tutorial, Combination Circuits: We fixed some wording used in an equivalent resistance analysis. The fix is live.
Chemistry Tutorial, Combustion Reactions: Whoa. We had made a real brain-fart of a statement regarding the definition of a hydrocarbon. It reads a lot more intelligible now. The fix is live.
Chemistry Tutorial, Molecular Polarity: We removed some over-assertions regarding molecular polarity. The page reads better than ever. The fix is live.

It's worth saying. We always appreciate your help. If you're a teacher and you see an error, then tap the Contacts link at the bottom of the page and file a report. Screenshots are appreciated. Thanks.

March 20, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Types of Intermolecular Forces

The first page of Lesson 1 of our newest chapter of the Chemistry Tutorial has been published. The topic is types of intermolecular forces. London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, and hydrogen bonding are discussed in detail.

March 19, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: What are Intermolecular Forces?

The first page of Lesson 1 of our newest chapter of the Chemistry Tutorial has been published. The topic is intermolecular forces in solids and liquids.

Fix:

Calculator Pad: Problem ST5Q1 in our ST5: Introduction to Grams-to-Grams Stoichometry had an incorrect value in part (a). This was replaced with ST5Q1v2 and is now live.

March 17, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Solids, Liquids, and Intermolecular Forces

We are setting up for a new chapter in our Chemistry Tutorial. The chapter will focus on intermolecular forces and the role that they play in the properties of liquids and the structure of solids. Our Table of Contents is now posted. Tutorial pages should start arriving by mid-week.

March 16, 2025

The Chemistry Solutions Guide

At last the Teacher's Solutions Guide for our Chemistry Curriculum Corner Worksheets is available! This one time download ($25) will provide the answer keys to our Chemistry Curriculum Corner Worksheets. This resource is for teachers and homeschool parents only.

March 10, 2025

Ampere's Law Tutorial

The last part of our Electromagnetism lesson is complete! In it we explore Ampere's Law and how it is used to derive the Magnetic Field and Electromagnet equations. It may be a little more advanced for some courses and students, but we feel it will help keep the lesson current and attractive for students beginning and advanced.

February, 2025

February 27, 2025

Magnetism and Electromagnetism Tutorial

We have added a new page to Lesson 2 of our Magnetism and Electromagnetism Tutorial. The page is titled Magnetic Field of a Currenty-Carrying Wire. The page explains in a systematic fashion how current in a wire creates a magnetic field in the space around the wire.

February 26, 2025

New Simulation: Dissolving a Sugar Crystal

A new simulation titled Dissolving a Sugar Crystal is now out. The simulation shows a sugar crystal slowly undergoing dissolution. The hydration by water is shown as the H atoms and the O atoms align themselves to surround a glucose molecule and attract it from the crystal. This is a companion simulation to one released earlier this month titled Dissolving a Salt Crystal.

February 25, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Lesson 4 of Gases Unit

We have completed Lesson 4 of our Gases and Gas Laws Chapter. There are three pages on the topic of the Kinetic Molecular Theory, including a page on the van der Waals equation for real gases. Nowll that is left of Chapter 10 are the creation of the Study Cards. We will work on this over the next 1-2 weeks and get them up on the site in a piecemeal fashion. Otherwise, we will be diverting attention from Tutorial writing to a really cool Physics project that is taking shape. We hope to bring that project to near completion by April 1. We will resume Chemisty Tutorial writing in the last half of March with our unit on Solids, Liquids, and Intermolecular Forces.

February 24, 2025

Curriculum Corner: Stoichiometry

We've been working the past several months on some Chemistry curriculum for our Curriculum Corner section. We have just added another unit to the Chemistry curriculum for our Curriculum Corner section. The topic is Stoichiometry. Our Curriculum Corner coordinates with our Chemistry Tutorial.

February 21, 2025

Transverse Sine Wave Maker Simulation

We have a new interactive titled Transverse Sine Wave Maker. The interactive simulates the creation of a sine wave by an oscillator. The oscillator is a marker attached to a rotating turntable. The marker traces its motion on a piece of paper that moves perpendicular to the marker's movements. Three sliders allow the user to adjust the turntable's frequency, the marker's amplitude and the paper speed. You gotta check it out before your next Waves unit.

Friday Fix:

We made the following edits this week:

Concept Builders: Charge Interactions: Thanks to some suggestions from a teacher, our Charge Interactions Concept Builder got an update. The observed interactions between objects appear on their own individual line as opposed to being stringed together in a paragraph. It's still a difficulty Concept Builder, but at least one of the difficulties has been eliminated.
Calculator Pad: Problem EM6Q1 in our Electromagnetism section was incomplete; several sections did not have answer formulas. It has been fixed and the fixes are live.
Calculator Pad: There were 55 problems that did not have a difficulty level associated with them. Thus, they would not appear in a search conducted by a teacher based on a difficulty level range. The problem has been fixed.

February 20, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Gas Stoichiometry at STP and Gas Stoichiometry at non-STP Conditions

We have completed Lesson 3 on Gas Stoichiometry of our Gases and Gas Laws Chapter. We have completed and uploaded the Gas Stoichiometry at STP and Gas Stoichiometry at non-STP Conditions pages. We will start our fourth and final lesson very soon.

February 19, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Stoichiometry Revisited

We have begun Lesson 3 on Gas Stoichiometry of our Gases and Gas Laws Chapter. Our first page, titled Stoichiometry Revisited, is out. The page coordinates an understanding of Avogadro's law to demonstrate that coefficients in front of gaseous reactants and products are volume ratios.

February 18, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Dalton's Law and Graham's Law

We have completed Lesson 2 of our Gases and Gas Laws Chapter. We just published the last two pages of the Gas Laws lesson - Dalton's Law and Graham's Law. Our first Gas Stoichiometry pages (Lesson 3) should be out tomorrow.

February 17, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Combined Gas Law

Our Tutorial page on the Combined Gas Law is live. We still have hopes of completing our Gases and Gas Laws Chapter by the end of next week.

February 14, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Ideal Gas Law

Another day and another Tutorial page Our Tutorial page on the Ideal Gas Law is now live. Besides the PIVNERT equation, the page discusses molar volume and gas density.

Friday Fix:

We made the following edit:

Science Reasoning Center: Stoichiometry Activity: There was an issue with all synthesis reactions in Activity 3. The table was formatted for a decomposition reaction ... and it just looked a little odd and bothersome. That has been fixed along with some other typographical issues in Activities 2 and 3. Version 1.1 has all the fixes.

February 13, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Volume and Number of Moles

Our progress continues on Lesson 2 of our newest Chapter of our Chemistry Tutorial. The Lesson is on the Gas Laws. Our Volume and Number of Moles page is now complete. We expect to have the chapter complete in about two weeks.

February 12, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Pressure and Volume

We have added a new page to Lesson 2 of our newest Chapter of our Chemistry Tutorial. The Lesson is on the Gas Laws. Our Pressure and Volume page is now complete.

February 11, 2025

Physics Interactives - The Four-Band Resistor

We have added a new interactive to our simulation section. This one turns out to be an awesome pattern-finding activity in which students attempt to discover the relationship between the colors of the first three bands and the resistance of the resistor. Be sure to use our Cracking the Code student activity sheet.

February 10, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Volume and Temperature

We have added a new page to Lesson 2 of our newest Chapter of our Chemistry Tutorial. The Lesson is on the Gas Laws. Our Volume and Temperature page is complete.

February 7, 2025

NEW Chemistry Simulation: Dissolving a Salt

We have uploaded a new Chemistry simulation titled Dissolving a Salt. The simulation shows a crystal of sodium chloride slowly undergoing dissolution. The hydration by water is shown as the H atoms surround the chloride ions and the O atoms surround the sodium ion and the crystal slowly disappear.

Physics Tutorial: Electromagnetism

Lesson 2 (Electromagnetism)'s first part is live! Get your Right-Hand's ready for a field-finding lesson that will get your currents flowing and magnetic fields generating!

Friday Fixes

We have made some edits about the site. Here's a few of the changes:

Entropy Concept Builder: We had a poorly worded question in the first activity. It has been cleaned up and reads much better now. Version 2.2.1 has the fix.
Science Reasoning Center: Carts, Bricks, and Bands Activity: There was a coding error on the first activity which under most conditions prevented correct answers from being allowed. It has been fixed. Version 1.2 has the fix.

It's worth saying. We always appreciate the help. If you're a teacher and you see an error, then tap the Contacts link at the bottom of the page and file a report. Thanks.

February 6, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Pressure and Temperature

We have started Lesson 2 of our newest Chapter of our Chemistry Tutorial. The Lesson is on the Gas Laws. Our Pressure and Temperature page is complete.

February 5, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Pressure-Volume-Temperature-Moles

Our second page of Lesson 1 in our newest chapter of our Chemistry Tutorial is now live. It is titled Pressure-Volume-Temperature-Moles and details the meaning of the Big 4 gas variables and discusses ways to measure each.

February 4, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: The Nature of a Gas

Our first page of Lesson 1 in our newest chapter of our Chemistry Tutorial is now live. It is titled The Nature of a Gas and presents a particle representation of a gas sample.

February 3, 2025

Chemistry Tutorial: Gases and Gas Laws

The writing of the 10th Chapter of our Chemistry Tutorial has officially started. The outline of topics for our newest chapter titled Gases and Gas Laws if now live.

January, 2025

January 31, 2025

Conceptual Physics Course Package

This past summer we put together Lesson Plans and Pacing Guides and Pre-Built Task Tracker courses for three levels of Physics. In the process, we recognized a need to produce a set of materials to support teachers who are committed to a Conceptual-Physics styles course. This would include Physics First teachers and teachers who are in a school that offers a thrid level of Physics and teachers in schools who have come to recognize that the an algebra-emphasized Physics course is not meeting their students' needs. We are putting together a package of materials that we feel will suitably meet the needs of such teachers. We are currently on the 8th unit of 12 total units. We are calling it the Conceptual Physics Course Package. We will have much more to say about it as we approach the completion date. For now, we have updated information about the package that appears in the Conceptual Physics area of our Lesson Plans and Pacing Guides section. Beginning this coming week, we will be taking a break from production to turn our focus back to the Chemistry Tutorial for another chapter of Chemistry. We still expect to have the project completed by April or May of 2025.

January 30, 2025

AI Powered Audio for Tutorial Pages

We have partnered with Trinity Audio to provide an Audio Player for our Chemistry and Physics Tutorial pages. The Audio Player sits at the top of each page. Tapping on the Play button allows the learner to listen to the page as opposed to reading it. The Audio Player works in English, Spanish, and several other languages.

January 28, 2025

Lesson Plans and Pacing Guides - Conceptual Physics

We have been very busy with the creation of our Conceptual Physics Course Package that coodinates with our Lesson Plans and Pacing Guides section of the website. The Conceptual Physics Course Package will be a downloable for-purchase package of content that will provide teachers of a conceptual physics styled course a considerable amount of useable content. We expect the package to be available in April, 2025. In the process of preparing the materials, we make changes in the Lesson Plans and Pacing Guides section of the website. Several pages (many with bad hyperlinks) were updated today.

January 24, 2025

Friday Fixes

We have done some more fixin' this week. (We probably else did some more mess'n but we'll figure that part out later.)

Calculator Pad, Molarity and Solutions Chapter, Problem Set MS5: Question 4 referenced the volume in mL when it should have been L. Fixed and live.
Science Reasoning Center, Energy Chapter, Modeling the Energy of a Roller Coaster: The third activity required students to determine answers for PE using a g value of 10 N/kg. We have given that note a bit more emphasis by including it on a graphic (rather than only on a pop-up that students tend to ignore.
Minds on Physics, ElectriEC8 ParallelCircuitsc Circuits, Mission EC8: There's one less spelling error at The Physics Classroom.

It's worth saying. We always appreciate the help. If you're a teacher and you see an error, then tap the Contacts link at the bottom of the page and file a report. Thanks.

January 22, 2025

Physics Tutorial - Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism Chapter

We have been slowly putting together a new chapter to the Physics Tutorial on our site. The new chapter is the first of two chapters to be added on the topic of electromagnetism. This chapter will have four Lessons. We have recently completed Lesson 1 of the Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism Chapter. Lesson 2 is now underway.

January 21, 2025

Curriculum Corner: Chemical Reactions

Our latest unit from the Curriculum Corner section of the website is now live. The topic is Chemical Reactions and includes six Think Sheets that target student ability to identify various types of reactions, identify the products, and to write balanced chemical equations for such reactions.

January 17, 2025

Friday Fixes

We have made some edits about the site. Here's a few of the changes:

Atomic Models Concept Builder: Our apologies to Niels and his family for misspelling his name in two places. He have fixed the error and there is no longer a Neils Bohr on our website (we hope).
Chemistry Tutorial, Chapter 4, Lesson 3a: We had some references to binary acids (AsH_³ and PH_³) that simply are not acids. They have been removed or replaced.
Chemistry Tutorial, Chapter 4, Lesson 3b: Similar changes to the above.
Curriculum Corner, Chemical Reactions: We made two small changes to a question on the first and second Think Sheet of this chapter.
Lesson Plan and Pacing Guides, Conceptual Physics: Our Learning Outcomes and Activities page for the Momentum Unit had some mispelled words. Fixed. Looking spiffy. There were also some links that directed users to incorrect locations. Fixed. We feel better and look a tiny bit better now.
Words and Charts Concept Builder: The Concept Builder was tracking student progress correctly but a bug was preventing it from properly displaying the username for registered Task Tracker students. Fixed.

It's worth saying. We always appreciate the help. If you're a teacher and you see an error, then tap the Contacts link at the bottom of the page and file a report. Thanks.

January 16, 2025

NEW Physics Simulation - Collisions and Rotation

We have a new Physics simulation that models the conservation of linear and angular momentum. Run a quick trial, get results, perform calculations and analysis in a couple of minutes. Make some changes and repeat. Check it out here.

January 15, 2025

Calculator Pad: Electric Field, Potential, and Capacitance with Calculus

Here's a new one! A collection of problem sets at the Calculator Pad that require the use of calculus to solve. There are six sets with a few multi-part problems in each set.

January 14, 2025

Curriculum Corner: The Mole and Its Applications

We've been working steadily on Chemistry curriculum for our Curriculum Corner section. We have added another unit on the topic of The Mole and Its Application. Our Curriculum Corner coordinates with our Chemistry Tutorial.

January 13, 2025

Chemistry Simulation - Average Atomic Mass

The Chemistry simulations have been rolling off the press. Our latest is on the topic of average atomic mass. A sample of 100 atoms of varying isotopes are displayed, then fed into Old Rickety (our very own, lovable mass spec). After a little shaking and wobbling, Old Rickety produces percent-mass data, and the rest is left to the student to calculate the average atomic mass. There are four levels with one question each. The first two levels include real elememts. The second two levels include extraterrestrial (fictional, non-Google-able) elements.

January 10, 2025

Concept Checker - Limiting Reactants

We now have a Concept Checker that coordinates with the Limiting Reactants simulation released yesterday and with the Student Activity Sheet. Concept Checkers are a great way to bring closure to a lesson. Check it out: Limiting Reactants Concept Checker

January 9, 2025

Chemistry Simulation - Limiting Reactants

We released another Chemistry simulation. This one is titled Limiting reactants and provides students an awesome opportunity to investigate the effect of both stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric conditions on the outcome of a reaction. Students can chose from among eight different reactions, modify the initial moles and reactants and products, and view ICE Tables and bar charts as the reaction proceeds. The simulation is accompabied by a freely-downloadable Student Activity Sheet (highly recommended).

January 8, 2025

Concept Checker - Electronegativity

Yesterday we released a Electronegativity Simulation for the Chemistry area of our Interactives section. Today we have released an accompanying Concept Checker that coordinates with the freely-downloadable Student Activity Sheet designed for the simulation. This is our third Chemistry Concept Checker. Expect more!

January 7, 2025

Chemistry Simulation - Electronegativity

We have a new Chemistry simulation for our Interactives section. It is titled Electronegativity and includes a collection of displays (location of bonding electrons, percent ionic character, dipole moment vectors, etc.) for students to understand the role that electronegativity plays in affecting the nature of a bond. There is a freely-downloadable Student Activity Sheet to accompany the simulation.

January 6, 2025

Physics Tutorial - Magnetism and Electromagnetism Chapter

We have started the addition of a new chapter to the Physics Tutorial on our site. The new chapter is the first of two chapters to be added on the topic of electromagnetism. This chapter will have four Lessons. Lesson 1 has been started and the first two pages of four are now live on our site.

January 3, 2025

Curriculum Corner: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Shape

We've been working the past several months on some Chemistry curriculum for our Curriculum Corner section. We have just added another unit on the topic of Chemical Bonding. Our Curriculum Corner coordinates with our Chemistry Tutorial.

December, 2024

December 31, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - Chapter 9: Stoichiometry

We have added the third and final page to Lesson 3 of Chapter 9 of our Chemistry Tutorial. The page was titled Determining the Excess Amount and serves as a follow-up to Lesson 3b on Solving Limiting Reactant Problems. This completes our Chapter 9 of the Tutorial. That is nine very thorough chapters in a short 4.5 months. Chapter 10 is on the topic of Gases and is scheduled for release sometime in March of 2025. We have some other odds and ends to attend before resuming work on the Tutorial.

Chapter 9: Study Cards

We have added five more Study Cards to our Chapter 9 Tutorial. We link to Study Cards in the Before You Leave section of the page. Study Cards can be a very effective student aid. They are 1-page summaries of the Tutorial page.

December 30, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - Chapter 9: Stoichiometry

We have added the first two of three pages to Lesson 3 of Chapter 9 of our Chemistry Tutorial. Our first page, Non-Stoichiometric Conditions, contrasts situations in which all reactants are used up to situations in which there are leftover reactants. Mathematical complexity is mild and an emphasis is placed on the concept of a limiting and excess reactant. Out second page, Solving Limiting Reactant Problems, discusses and models how to solve a limiting reactant problem. We should have Lesson 3 finished tomorrow.

Chapter 9: Study Cards

We have added four study cards to our Chapter 9 Tutorial. Study Cards are downloadable review tools that synchronize with a Tutorial lesson. We link to Study Cards in the Before You Leave section of the page. We have five more Study Cards planned for Chapter 9.

Reference Section: Mole Island

We have uploaded several downloadable Mole Island graphic organizers to our Reference area of the Chemistry Tutorial. Mole Island provides support to students as they think through and plan out a solution to a stoichiometry problem.

December 27, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - Chapter 9: Stoichiometry

We have completed Lesson 2 of Chapter 9 of our Chemistry Tutorial. Our last page - Stoichiometry Plus - discusses more difficult problems that add concepts (density, balancing equations, etc.) and conversions to a three-step, gram-to-gram stoichiometry problem. We are starting Lesson 3 today and should have it completed by the end of next week.

December 26, 2024

Inclined Plane Concept Checker

We released an Inclined Plane simulation a couple of weeks ago and we published a Student Activity Sheet about one week later. Now we have an Inclined Plane Concept Checker. Concept Checkers are coordinated with a simulation and activity sheet and provide a great follow-up to the inclusion of the simulation in a lesson plan. Do the activity with the simulation, process it, and follow it up with a Concept Checker as an assessment of understanding.

December 23, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - Chapter 9: Stoichiometry

We are nearly done with Lesson 2 of Chapter 9 of our Chemistry Tutorial. Lesson 2 includes a multitude of different problem types with detailed solutions and discussions of how to approach a stoichiometry problem. We have published three more pages - Mole-to-Mass Relationships, Mass-to-Mass Relationships, and Percent Yield. We are taking a short break for the holidays but should have more pages available by year's end.

December 20, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - Chapter 9: Stoichiometry

We are making rapid progress on Chapter 9 of our Chemistry Tutorial. We have published two more pages. Lesson 1 is titled A Framework for Thinking Stoichiometrically; it is now complete with the publishing of Conversions and Connections. This page describes the landscape surrounding a stoichiometry problem. The use of the factor label method and a graphic organizer known as Mole Island is introduced. Lesson 2 has been started up with the first page titled Mole-to-Mole Relationships. Lesson 2 will include a multitude of different problem types with detailed solutions and discussions of how to approach a stoichiometry problem.

December 19, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - Chapter 9: Stoichiometry

We have published our first two pages of Chapter 9 of our Chemistry Tutorial. The chapter pertains to the topic of stoichiometry. Lesson 1 is titled A Framework for Thinking Stoichiometrically. The lesson as a whole will construct the foundation for how to think about stoichiometric quantities such as mass and moles of reactants and products. Our first page is titled Recipes, Ratios, and Relationships and discusses the role of ratios (mole ratios and molar mass ratios) in answering how much questions. Our second page is titled The Law of Conservation of Mass and devotes a lot of attention to analyzing data generated on the first page to establish that mass is conserved in a chemical reaction. We are likely to have our entire chapter complete by January 1 or shortly thereafter.

December 18, 2024

Student Activity Sheet and Concept Checker for Making An Ion Simulation

Our vision for our simulation pages is to provide a freely downloadable student activity sheet and an accompanying Concept Checker. Teachers can use the simulation in class with the help of the activity sheet. At the appropriate time, they can process the activity and then use the Concept Checker as a check for understanding. We published the Making An Ion simulation yesterday. And now we have a Student Activity Sheet and Concept Checker available.

December 17, 2024

Chemistry Simulation: Making An Ion

Our collection of Chemistry Simulations has just increased by 1. Our Making An Ion simulation models ion fomration for elements hydrogen through calcium. Students view the electrons occupying the electron shells and watch electrons being lost or gained as the ion is formed. It's a great activity for introducing ion formation with a visual impact. Special thanks to Physics and Chemistry teacher Chris Bruce (Nerd Island Studios | SimBucket) for creating this simulation for us.

December 16, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial: Chapter 8 is Completed

We have Chapter 8 of our Chemistry Tutorial. Our last two pages of Lesson 2 - Double Replacement Reactions and Predicting Products have been uploaded. All Study Cards have also been completed. We are in the planning process on Chapter 9 - Stoichiometry. We hope to have Stoichiometry completed by mid-January.

December 13, 2024

Inclined Plane Simulation - Student Activity Sheet

At the beginning of last week, we published an Inclined Plane Simulation. We have released a Student Activity Sheet for the simulation. These are freely downloadable activities that provide some guidance to students in terms of what to do, what to collect, and what to analyze.

Chapter 8 Study Cards for Chemistry Tutorial

We are generally delayed in the publication of Study Cards for our Chemistry Tutorial. But we always get around to them. Over the past couple of days we published Study Cards for the following pages. Study Cards are linked to in the Before You Leave section of each page. Study Cards are now available for the following pages:

What is a Chemical Reaction? || Chemical Equations || Writing Balanced Chemical Equations || Lesson 2 Reaction Type pages

Study cards provide a succinct, highly graphical presentation of a topic. They are intended as tools that students can download and save and use for review purposes.

December 12, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial Page on Single Replacement Reactions

We are nearing completion of Chapter 8 of our Chemistry Tutorial. Our third of five pages in Lesson 2 is now published. Single Replacement Reactions discusses both cation replacement and anion replacement reactions. The metal and halogen reactivities are introduced and used to predict if a reaction will occur. There are numerous examples of predicting products and balancing equations. A Check Your Understanding section provides additional practice questions accompanied by answers and explanations.

December 11, 2024

Phase Changes Simulation: Student Activity Sheet and Concept Checker

We uploaded a new simulation last week to the Chemistry Chapter of our Simulations section - Phase Changes. We have since written a Student Activity Sheet and an accompanying Concept Checker.

December 10, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial Page on Combustion Reactions

Progress continues in Lesson 2 of Chapter 8 of our Chemistry Tutorial. Our second of five pages, titled Combustion Reactions, is now live. The focus is on how to recognize combustion reactions and to predict the products of such reactions. An emphasis is placed on analyzing hydrocarbon combustion reactions.

December 9, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial Page on Synthesis and Decomposition Reactions

We have begun the second lesson of two in Chapter 8 of our Chemistry Tutorial. The page is titled Synthesis and Decomposition Reactions. A thorough discussion of these two types of reactions is given. The emphasis is on cultivating the skill of predicting the products of the reaction and writing balanced chemical equations. There are several examples given that illustrate this skill.

December 6, 2024

Chemistry Simulation: Phase Change

We do not have a lot of Chemistry Simulations but we have 50% more this week than last week. You have to see our Phase Change simulation. You can make quick work of warming a sample of frigid ice to its melting point, melt it, warm the resulting liquid to its boiling point, boil it, and continue increasing the temperature of the gas until you blow the lid off the containers. Wish we could warm things up this quickly in our northern climate. Special thanks to Physics and Chemistry teacher Chris Bruce (Nerd Island Studios | SimBucket) for creating this simulation for us.

Friday Fix Day

We have a lot of edits out today and over the course of the week. Here they are:

Recognizing Forces Concept Builder: Clarified a question with better wording (Landscapers dragging a tree ...). Version 2.2.1 has the fix.
Mass vs. Weight Concept Builder: There's three less spelling errors at The Physics Classroom. Version 2.2.5 has the fix.
Being Impulsive About Momentum Concept Builder: One of the Master level questions had two correct answers while only one was allowed. Fixed by changing one of the correct answers to be incorrect. Version 2.2.4 has the fix.
What's Up and Down with KE and PE Concept Builder: We use color in our Energy bar charts to distinguish between KE (red) and PE (blue). Two graphics were confused; they have been unconfused and our ducks are now in order. Version 2.2.2 has the fix.
Words and Charts Concept Builder: Adjusted some wording to accommodate English language learners. Version 2.2.2 has the fix.
Intermolecular Forces Concept Builder: Removed Question Group 5 from the second activity. Version 2.2.1 has the fix.
Hess's Law Concept Builder: Fixed an answer key error and a formula error for a couple of Wizard level questions. Version 2.2.2 has the fix.
Horizontal Circle Simulation Concept Checker: Fixed the Help button link. Version 1.1 has the fix.
Wave Addition Concept Checker: Fixed the Help button link. Version 1.1 has the fix.

December 5, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial Page on Writing Balanced Chemical Equations

We have published our third page in Chapter 8 of our Chemistry Tutorial. The page is titled Writing Balanced Chemical Equations. The page discusses mass conservation, provides a method for balancing chemical equations, and demonstrates the use of the method with seven examples. Each example has detailed solutions. The Check Your Understanding section includes six additional balancing equation practice questions, along with several other conceptual questions. Our Before You Leave section includes a link to our Balancing Chemical Equations Concept Builder. This page completes the first lesson of two lessons in the chapter.

December 4, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial Page on Chemical Equations

We have published our second page in Chapter 8 of our Chemistry Tutorial. The page is titled Chemical Equations and focuses on the use of several representations - word equations, particle diagrams, and balanced chemical equations - to represent a chemical reaction. We expect to be finishing up our first of two lessons tomorrow.

December 3, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - Chapter 8: Chemical Reactions

Chapter 8 of our Tutorial is now started. Our first page on the topic of What is a Chemical Reaction? is now live. The page focuses on the concept of chemical reactions involving a rearrangement of atoms. Emphasis is given to the energy associated with bond breaking and bond forming. The evidences of a chemical reaction are discussed. Two reactions - synthesis of water and combustion of methane - are used to demonstrate concepts.

December 2, 2024

Chapter 7 Study Cards

We have completed and uploaded all study cards for Chapter 7. Production of study cards are often delayed ... but we eventually get to them. Study cards were added for the following pages:

Grams-Moles-Atoms Relationship || Molar Mass of Compounds || Grams-Moles-Particles Relationship || Percent Composition || Empirical and Molecular Formulae

Study cards provide a succinct, highly graphical presentation of a topic. They are intended as tools that students can download and save and use for review purposes.

December 1, 2024

Inclined Plane Simulation

We have a new interactive titled Inclined Plane. The interactive simulates the motion of an object along an inclined plane. There are a variety of variables that can be altered and output displays that can be toggled on and off. We anticipate heavy usage of this simulation and hope to put together a student activity sheet and Concept Checker to support classroom teachers who are designing lesson plans around the activity. Thanks to Physics teacher Martin Kirby for contributing this simulation to our collection.

November, 2024

November 29, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - Chapter 7 is Complete!

The seventh chapter of our Chemistry Tutorial is now complete. Lesson 2d on the topic of Empirical and Molecular Formulae is now live. We have been planning Chapter 8 on the topic of Chemical Reactions. The Table of Contents for Chapter 8 is also live. The first pages should start coming out by mid-week of this coming week.

November 27, 2024

We were fortunate enough to squeeze two Tutorial pages up on the site before Thanksgiving.

Chemistry Tutorial - Grams-Moles-Particles Relationship

A thorough discussion of mole conversions with seven examples, six practice problems with answers and complete solutions, and links to locations (Concept Builders and CalcPad problem sets) with additional practice. You can't beat this!!

Chemistry Tutorial - Percent Composition

A step-by-step demonstration of how to calculate the percent composition of elements in a compound. Includes three examples of varying difficulty, three practice problems with answers and complete solutions, and links to three Problem Sets at the Calculator Pad for additional, interactive practice. You can't beat this either!!

Bug Fixes / Tweaks

Fixed some Inline PDFs were not rendering properly.

Fixed bug where CalcPad assignments with custom Assignment Names were not showing on Task List with the Custom Name.
Fixed Ad styling bug that would cause Ads to sometimes extend the page beyond normal width.

November 26, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - Molar Mass of Compounds

We have started Lesson 2 of Chapter 7. The focus will be on an mathematical analysis of compounds. The first page is on the topic of molar mass and the skill of calculating it. There are numerous exmples and links to more interactive pratice - a Concept Builder and Calculator Pad problem sets. We should be done with Lesson 2 by week's end.

November 25, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - Grams-Moles-Atoms Relationship

We have just completed Lesson 1 of Chapter 7 - The Mole and Its Applications - is complete. Our latest page - Grams-Moles-Atoms Relationship - goes to great length discussing the use of Avogadro's number and molar mass with the factor label method to solve six types of problems. There are eight exmples in all and links to more at our Calculator Pad.

November 22, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - The Mole

The third page of Lesson 1 in our new chapter - The Mole and Its Applications - is complete. Lesson 1c is now live. The page discusses Avogadro's number and its significance as a supersizing factor from amu to grams. The concept of molar mass is also discussed. And don't miss the mole jokes.

November 21, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - Measuring Atomic Mass

The second page of Lesson 1 in our new chapter - The Mole and Its Applications - is complete. Lesson 1b is now live. It pertains to the use of atomic mass spectroscopy to determine the average atomic mass of an element.

November 20, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - Atomic Mass

We have begun Chapter 7 of our Chemistry Tutorial on the topic of The Mole and Its Applications. Lesson 1a is now live. It discusses the concept of average atomic mass and the carbon-12 isotope as the basis for all atomic mass values.

Solutions Guide Fix - ansvect4

An error was reported on the ansvect4.docx and ansvect4.pdf solutions (Version2Docs\VectorsProjectiles) guide for the Vector Addition by Components Worksheet. The issue was on #1 for the 2nd and 3rd magnitude and resultants, the incorrect CCW angle was provided. These have been corrected. Future downloads will have this fix, if you wish to just retrieve the 2 updated files, please use the contact form and I'll send them to you.

November 15, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - Ionic Compounds

We have published Lesson 1c of our Chemical Bonding and Molecular Shape chapter. The page pertains to IIII - their ion ratios and their closest packing structure. This completes Chapter 6. We are currently planning Chapter 7, titled The Mole and Its Applications. Chapter 7 pages should start appearing mid-week of this coming week.

November 14, 2024

Curriculum Corner - Chemistry Think Sheets

We have added a fifth chapter to the Chemistry section of our Curriculum Corner. The chapter is titled The Modern Atomic Model. Five chapters are done. Many more to go ... but we may have have it completed this school year.

November 13, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - Lesson 3 Study Cards

We have completed all our Check Your Understanding sections in Lesson 3 and uploaded four study cards, one for each page of Lesson 4. Study cards are a downloadable graphic organizer that students can use to support their studies. We have completed the following study cards:

Links to study cards can be found on the above page in the Before Your Leave section near the bottom of the page.

November 12, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - Hybridized Orbital Theory

We have completed our tutorial page on hybridized orbitals. We are nearing the end of the chapter and should be done by the end of the week with all pages, all edits, Check Your Understanding sections, and Study Cards.

November 11, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - Molecular Polarity

We have completed our tutorial page on molecular polarity. There is a strong graphical presentation and reliance upon electron dot diagrams and molecular geometry. There's a great set of practice questions in the Check Your Understanding section. We should have some Lesson 3 Study Cards coming out mid-week.

November 8, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - Advanced VSEPR (with lone pairs)

Our second of two pages in Lesson 3 on the topic of Advanced VSEPR is now published. The focus of this page is how the number of bonded atoms and lone pairs affect the molecular geometry. There are a load of graphics and visualizations.

November 7, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - Valence Shell Electron Pair Replulsion Theory (VSEPR)

Our first of two pages in Lesson 3 on the topic of Valence Shell Electron Pair Replulsion Theory (VSEPR) is now live. The focus of the page is on how the groups of electrons surrounding the central atom spread out in space to assume a particular electron pair geometry. All situations being analyzed include no lone paris on the central atom. Our second page will focus on molecular shape and situations with lone pairs. This page (and our next one) are full of graphics. Check it out!

November 6, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - Formal Charge Considerations

Our last page of Lesson 2 of our Chemical Bonding and Molecular Shape unit is now live. The page, titled Formal Charge Considerations, discusses a strategy for evaluating competing Lewis electron dot diagrams. The page includes a clear presentation of what formal charge is, how to calculate it, and how to use such calculations in order to evaluate Lewis electron dot diagrams. There are numerous examples that are thoroughly discussed and there are more practice questions in the Check Your Understanding section that have answers and explanations. A Study Card is available for students to download and use as a follow-up study tool. Links to Study Cards (when available) can be found in the Before You Leave section of the page (at end of page). Formal charge is generally regarded as an honors-level or AP topic; we include such topics on separate pages. Teachers using the Tutorial with on-level students can simply not assign such pages; other pages can be used independent of this one.

November 5, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - Octet Breakers

Our 3rd of three pages on drawing Lewis electron dot diagrams has been published. The page, titled Octet Breakers, discusses situations in which the central atom of molecules exceeds the octet rule. Several dot diagrams for expanded octes are given. Boron compounds are also discussed. Some additional examples have been left for the Check Your Understanding section. A Study Card is available for this lesson.

November 4, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - Double and Triple Bonds

Our 2nd of three pages on drawing Lewis electron dot diagrams is now live. The page, titled Double and Triple Bonds, describes when to and how to go about drawing Lewis diagrams for situations involving double and triple bonds. There are 11 examples with thoroughly worked out diagrams that step through the process.

November 1, 2024

Chemistry Tutorial - Lewis Electron Dot Diagrams

We have completed our first of three pages on Lewis Electron Dot Diagrams. For a student trying to figure out Lewis electron dot diagrams, this page is going to help. It's loaded with logic, details, examples, tips, and practice. Our second and third page on the topic will pertain to more complicated cases - multiple bonds and octet rule breakers.

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