Introduction:
The isomer lab is a dry or paper lab that allows the students to work with molecular
model kits and get a feeling for the 3-dimensional structures of alkanes. It is important that the students have discussed
the idea of isomers and have practiced naming of branched alkanes before beginning this activity.
Estimated time to complete lab:
A 60 minute class is usually more
than adequate to complete this lab activity.
Equipment Required:
Molecular model kit for each student
group (I use Moly-Mod kits but the stick and spring kits work equally as well.
Safety Concerns:
There
are no real safety concerns with this lab using the Moly-Mod kits. This being said, we have had problems when using the stick
and spring kits where a spring has hit a student in the eye. If you are using these kits, I would recommend safety glasses
just in case.
Clean Up Concerns:
Make sure that ALL of
the model kit pieces get back into the box.
What Can Go Wrong:
- Students get frustrated with the fact that there are 20 spaces for isomers on the lab sheet (there are only 18 isomers)
- Some students will prefer to build animals with the kits instead of alkanes.
- Pieces of the kits can get dropped and not placed back in the kit or get put in the wrong kit. Sorting these out can
be a pain, so make sure that the kits are properly put away- check them as the students return the kits.
Student Lab Sheet as a Word Document:
click here to download file
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