Description
Are you looking for a fun way you can teach quantum numbers? One that requires nearly no prep on your part? This is it. We have students relate quantum numbers to a coffee mug.
Start by having students take out a sheet of paper and labeling n, l, ml, and ms along the left side. Then you'll use a coffee mug as a tangible analogy to describe the orbital the electron is in.
The best part of this lesson is when you walk around and tell students what their mug looks like and where it is. Don't forget to take a little creative license with this! ("Does your mother know you left your dirty cup in the sink for her?!")
It's interactive, engaging, and entertaining. Quantum numbers doesn't get more memorable than this.
Links mentioned that make teaching quantum numbers easy
Blog post on Quantum Coffee
Quantum Number Doodle Notes
Step by Step Quantum Number Worksheet
Quantum Numbers Charts and Diagrams
Quantum Numbers Digital Activity
FREE Quantum Numbers video
There are 3 places students get stuck in VSEPR:
They never learn electron domainThey get confused on how many electrons to put in the modelThey confuse electron and molecular geometryIf you'd like to know how to fix or prevent those, then listen to the episodes.
Intro to VSEPR worksheet
Published 02/27/23
Big Red Science gives us so many tips, including
Why you shouldn't teach safety at the beginning of the school yearA way to save money with bath bomb labs and a variation that helps students understand what they are doing labHow to emphasize the purpose of lab with studentsCommon mistakes...
Published 02/19/23