Spring SAVY 2018, Day 2- It’s Elemental (1st/2nd)
Day 2 in It’s Elemental was full of energy from students and from atoms! We started out by reviewing our classification of matter and then we studied chromatography. Which is just a scientific way of saying “separation of a mixture”. We performed a common laboratory method called Thin Layer Chromatography. We separated out the pigments that are used in black, gray, or brown markers. Everyone was a little surprised to see how gray separated into pink and blue colors. While the chromatography paper we used in class gives the best separation of colors, a similar experiment can be completed at home with washable markers and coffee filters. Click on this link if you would like a video tutorial. Next we focused on atoms. We started by learning about the all of the history behind our current atom, from Ancient Greek’s belief that there were only 4 different atoms (Earth, Air, Water, and Fire) to our current understanding which includes smaller particles called protons, electrons, and neutrons. We discussed how electrons have specific energies and made observations with light in gas discharge tubes. Finally, we completed an activity with balloons so we could see how electrons can travel between atoms in different material to cause static electricity. Overall it is was great day in It’s Element and I am looking forward to next week where we learn about ions, isotopes, and the periodic table.
– Kristin Droege