PhET Simulation: Build a Molecule

In this guided inquiry two part lab your students will investigate molecules and how they are built. This activity is designed for use with the Build a Molecule HTML5 simulation from PhET Interactive Simulations. The link for the simulation can be found inside the resource.

The learning goals for this activity are:
(1) Students will be able to explain the difference between an atom and a molecule.
(2) Students will be able to explain the difference between an element and a compound.
(3) Students will be able to explain the difference between the coefficient and the subscript in a chemical formula.
(4) Build molecules from their molecular and structural formulas.
(5) Write the molecular formula of a compound from its structural formula.

This lab is geared towards middle to lower high school students. With a little up front guidance your students will be able to complete this activity on their own and learn what molecules are and how they are built.

PhET Interactive Simulations incorporate research based, student centered activities that are fun and easy to use. All of the PhET simulations are available from their website. This PhET online simulation can be done in the classroom or during distance learning.

This product includes:
(1) The lab activity worksheets.
(2) An answer key for the worksheets.
(3) Two pages of notes covering atoms, molecules, elements, compounds and chemical formulas.
(4) A Getting Started Teachers Guide explaining the learning goals of the online lab and the important points of the simulation that you should point out before students begin their investigations into molecules and how they are built.