Lesson Plan: Determining Polarity of Molecules

Grade Level: High School

Timeframe: 50-60 minutes

NGSS Standards: HS-PS1-3, HS-PS1-4

Essential Question: How can we determine the polarity of molecules?

Engage (5-10 minutes):

 Start the lesson with a demonstration of a simple polar molecule, such as water
or ammonia.
 Ask students to describe what they notice about the molecule, and what they
think makes it polar.
 Write down their ideas on the board.

Explore (10-15 minutes):

 Provide students with molecular model kits and ask them to work in pairs to
create different molecules.
 Ask students to identify which molecules are polar and which are nonpolar.
 Encourage students to think about what makes a molecule polar or nonpolar as
they work.

Explain (15-20 minutes):

 Use the molecular model kit to demonstrate how to determine the polarity of a
molecule.
 Show students how to identify the polar bonds in a molecule and how to
determine the molecule's overall polarity.
 Use examples of polar and nonpolar molecules to help illustrate the concept.
 Introduce the idea of electronegativity and how it affects the polarity of a
molecule.

Elaborate (15-20 minutes):

 Provide students with a worksheet or lab activity where they have to determine
the polarity of different molecules using electronegativity values.
 Encourage students to work in pairs or small groups to complete the activity.
  Walk around the room and provide support and answer any questions that come
up.

Evaluate (5-10 minutes):

 Wrap up the lesson by asking students to share their results and how they
determined the polarity of each molecule.
 Have students summarize what they learned about polarity and how to
determine it.

Extension:

 For advanced students, challenge them to explore the relationship between

polarity and molecular geometry.
 Encourage students to research real-life applications of polarity, such as in the
pharmaceutical industry, environmental science, or materials science.

Materials:

 Molecular model kits

 Worksheet or lab activity on determining polarity
 Whiteboard and markers

Assessment:

 Observe and evaluate students as they work on the worksheet or lab activity.
 Assign a homework or classwork assignment that asks students to determine the
polarity of additional molecules using electronegativity values
Lesson Plan: Relating the Polarity of a Molecule to its Properties

Grade Level: High School

Timeframe: 50-60 minutes

NGSS Standards: HS-PS1-3, HS-PS1-4

Essential Question: How does the polarity of a molecule affect its properties?

Engage (5-10 minutes):

  Start the lesson with a demonstration of a simple polar molecule, such as water
or ammonia.
 Ask students to describe what they notice about the molecule, and what they
think makes it polar.
 Write down their ideas on the board.

Explore (10-15 minutes):

 Provide students with molecular model kits and ask them to work in pairs to
create different molecules.
 Ask students to identify which molecules are polar and which are nonpolar.
 Encourage students to think about what makes a molecule polar or nonpolar as
they work.

Explain (15-20 minutes):

 Use the molecular model kit to demonstrate how to determine the polarity of a
molecule.
 Show students how to identify the polar bonds in a molecule and how to
determine the molecule's overall polarity.
 Use examples of polar and nonpolar molecules to help illustrate the concept.
 Introduce the idea of electronegativity and how it affects the polarity of a
molecule.

Elaborate (15-20 minutes):

 Discuss with students how the polarity of a molecule affects its properties, such
as boiling point, solubility, and reactivity.
 Use examples of polar and nonpolar molecules to demonstrate the relationship
between polarity and properties.
 Provide students with a worksheet or lab activity where they have to predict the
properties of different molecules based on their polarity.
 Encourage students to work in pairs or small groups to complete the activity.

Evaluate (5-10 minutes):

 Wrap up the lesson by asking students to share their results and how they
determined the properties of each molecule.
 Have students summarize what they learned about the relationship between
polarity and properties.
Extension:

 For advanced students, challenge them to explore the relationship between

polarity and other properties, such as surface tension, boiling point elevation, and
melting point depression.
 Encourage students to research real-life applications of polarity and properties,
such as in the pharmaceutical industry, environmental science, or materials
science.

Materials:

 Molecular model kits

 Worksheet or lab activity on predicting properties based on polarity
 Whiteboard and markers

Assessment:

 Observe and evaluate students as they work on the worksheet or lab activity.
 Assign a homework or classwork assignment that asks students to predict the
properties of additional molecules based on their polarity.