Activity Overview
Creating models of chemical reactions is super important to help students understand how things change and how atoms balance. In this activity, students will create a grid that illustrates four chemical reactions. They should be sure to include the reactants, products, and the equation in their finished product. To extend this activity, ask students to add a cell that explains what type of reaction it is (exothermic vs endothermic) and what happens during the process.
The chemical reaction models suggested below get more difficult as students progress through. The final two reactions listed in the activity require students to use the additional skill of balancing the symbol equation with coefficients. If you want to avoid this, choose the following alternative reactions:
- Reaction between sodium and water to produce sodium hydroxide and hydrogen - Na + H2O → NaOH + H2
- Reaction of sulfur trioxide and water to form sulfuric acid - SO3 + H2O → H2SO4
Example Chemical Reactions
- Iron and Sulfur: Exothermic reaction that forms iron sulfide. The word equation for this reaction is iron + sulfur → iron sulfide. The balanced symbol equation is Fe + S → FeS.
- Hydrogen and Oxygen: Reaction that forms water. The word equation for this reaction is hydrogen + oxygen → water. The balanced symbol equation is 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O
- Methane and Oxygen: Combustion that forms carbon dioxide and water. The balanced symbol equation is CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O. This reaction requires students to balance the equation.
- Photosynthesis: Endothermic reaction that produces glucose and oxygen. The word equation for photosynthesis is carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen. The balanced symbol equation is 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2. This reaction requires students to balance the equation.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Model various chemical reactions by creating a T-Chart on Storyboard That. Identify the reactants and products in the reactions and create models of the molecules. Remember: atoms are not created or destroyed in a chemical reaction, so the total number of atoms doesn’t change.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the products and reactants of the following:
- Reaction between Iron and Sulfur
- Combustion of Hydrogen in Air
- Combustion of Methane in Air
- Photosynthesis
- Write the names of the reactants and products in the title of cell.
- Write the symbols in the description box underneath.
- Add coefficients if necessary to balance the symbol equation.
- Use shapes to model the arrangement of the different atoms for the reactants and products.
- Count the number of each type of atom before and after the reaction to ensure your symbol equation is correctly balanced.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 25 Points | Emerging 13 Points | Beginning 0 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Products and Reactants | All the products and reactants have been identified. | Most of the products and reactants have been identified. | Some of the products and reactants have been identified. |
| Balanced Symbol Equations | The symbol equation terms are correct and the equation has been balanced correctly | The symbol equation terms are correct and the equation has not been balanced correctly. | The symbol equation terms are not correct and the equation has not been balanced correctly |
| Modeling | The models of the different substances correctly and clearly show the arrangement of the atoms and the bonds between them. | The models of the different substances correctly show the arrangement of the atoms and the bonds between them, but they are sometimes difficult to understand. | The models of the different substances do not correctly show the arrangement of the atoms and the bonds between them. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
Activity Overview
Creating models of chemical reactions is super important to help students understand how things change and how atoms balance. In this activity, students will create a grid that illustrates four chemical reactions. They should be sure to include the reactants, products, and the equation in their finished product. To extend this activity, ask students to add a cell that explains what type of reaction it is (exothermic vs endothermic) and what happens during the process.
The chemical reaction models suggested below get more difficult as students progress through. The final two reactions listed in the activity require students to use the additional skill of balancing the symbol equation with coefficients. If you want to avoid this, choose the following alternative reactions:
- Reaction between sodium and water to produce sodium hydroxide and hydrogen - Na + H2O → NaOH + H2
- Reaction of sulfur trioxide and water to form sulfuric acid - SO3 + H2O → H2SO4
Example Chemical Reactions
- Iron and Sulfur: Exothermic reaction that forms iron sulfide. The word equation for this reaction is iron + sulfur → iron sulfide. The balanced symbol equation is Fe + S → FeS.
- Hydrogen and Oxygen: Reaction that forms water. The word equation for this reaction is hydrogen + oxygen → water. The balanced symbol equation is 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O
- Methane and Oxygen: Combustion that forms carbon dioxide and water. The balanced symbol equation is CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O. This reaction requires students to balance the equation.
- Photosynthesis: Endothermic reaction that produces glucose and oxygen. The word equation for photosynthesis is carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen. The balanced symbol equation is 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2. This reaction requires students to balance the equation.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Model various chemical reactions by creating a T-Chart on Storyboard That. Identify the reactants and products in the reactions and create models of the molecules. Remember: atoms are not created or destroyed in a chemical reaction, so the total number of atoms doesn’t change.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the products and reactants of the following:
- Reaction between Iron and Sulfur
- Combustion of Hydrogen in Air
- Combustion of Methane in Air
- Photosynthesis
- Write the names of the reactants and products in the title of cell.
- Write the symbols in the description box underneath.
- Add coefficients if necessary to balance the symbol equation.
- Use shapes to model the arrangement of the different atoms for the reactants and products.
- Count the number of each type of atom before and after the reaction to ensure your symbol equation is correctly balanced.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 25 Points | Emerging 13 Points | Beginning 0 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Products and Reactants | All the products and reactants have been identified. | Most of the products and reactants have been identified. | Some of the products and reactants have been identified. |
| Balanced Symbol Equations | The symbol equation terms are correct and the equation has been balanced correctly | The symbol equation terms are correct and the equation has not been balanced correctly. | The symbol equation terms are not correct and the equation has not been balanced correctly |
| Modeling | The models of the different substances correctly and clearly show the arrangement of the atoms and the bonds between them. | The models of the different substances correctly show the arrangement of the atoms and the bonds between them, but they are sometimes difficult to understand. | The models of the different substances do not correctly show the arrangement of the atoms and the bonds between them. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
How Tos about Creating Models of Chemical Reactions
Organize a hands-on classroom demonstration of a chemical reaction
Bring chemistry to life by setting up a safe, teacher-led demonstration of a simple chemical reaction (like vinegar and baking soda). Model lab safety, explain the reactants and products, and invite students to observe and predict outcomes. This concrete experience helps students visualize abstract concepts and deepens understanding.
Prepare all materials and safety equipment in advance
Gather all necessary supplies—chemicals, containers, goggles, gloves, and paper towels—before class starts. Double-check for allergies or safety concerns to ensure a smooth, safe demonstration that keeps students engaged and protected.
Engage students with prediction questions before the demonstration
Ask students to predict what will happen when mixing the reactants. Encourage them to write or share their hypotheses based on their understanding of chemical reactions. This sparks curiosity and primes them for observation.
Demonstrate the reaction and narrate each step
Carefully carry out the reaction while clearly describing each action, what is being mixed, and any visible changes. Highlight when reactants become products and connect observations back to chemical equations.
Guide students to record observations and connect to models
Prompt students to write or draw what they observe during the demonstration. Have them link their observations to the chemical equations or models they've been studying for deeper understanding and retention.
Frequently Asked Questions about Creating Models of Chemical Reactions
How can students model chemical reactions in a classroom setting?
Students can model chemical reactions by creating a grid or T-chart that shows the reactants, products, and balanced chemical equations for each reaction. Using shapes or drawings to represent atoms and molecules helps visualize how atoms rearrange during reactions.
What are some easy chemical reactions for students to model?
Easy chemical reactions for students include iron + sulfur → iron sulfide and hydrogen + oxygen → water. These reactions use simple reactants and help students practice identifying and balancing reactants and products.
Why is balancing chemical equations important in student models?
Balancing equations ensures that the law of conservation of mass is followed, showing that atoms are neither created nor destroyed in a reaction. It helps students understand chemical processes and the correct proportions of reactants and products.
What is the difference between exothermic and endothermic reactions in classroom models?
Exothermic reactions release energy as heat (e.g., iron and sulfur forming iron sulfide), while endothermic reactions absorb energy (e.g., photosynthesis). Modeling both types helps students see how energy changes during chemical reactions.
How can teachers adapt chemical reaction modeling activities for different grade levels?
Teachers can simplify activities for younger students by choosing basic reactions without balancing equations, and increase complexity for older students by introducing coefficient balancing, more challenging reactions, and energy changes (exothermic/endothermic).
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