Accommodate your chemistry class with an experiment that is both entertaining and educational. Through the activity, blossoming chemists perform calculations on various isotopes, as represented by beans and legumes, to obtain the average atomic mass. They gain an understanding of isotopes while engaging in an activity that contains practical applications.

 

 

Concepts

isotopes, atomic mass, chemical elements, atoms

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Additional Tags

science

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Classroom Considerations

• Ensure all pupils have a background knowledge of isotopes before beginning experiment
• Learners need a calculator to complete assessment 

Pros

• Materials are not toxic to pupils
• Provides an interesting way to acquire isotope theories by using everyday materials, such as beans/legumes

Cons

• Requires approximately one hour of teacher preparation before beginning experiment