The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Molar Playdough

Molar Playdough

A 10/11/12 grade STEM lesson

Jess Bushman

1/2024

Notes for teachers

A good practice of mole conversions should be done before the lab.

Grams → Moles

Grams → Moles - Answers

Moles → Grams +

Moles → Grams + - Answers

Moles → Grams and More ADVANCED

Moles → Grams and More ADVANCED ANSWERS

Moles → Grams and More ADVANCE ANSWERS EXPLAINED

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This is a fun lab, no chemicals that are dangerous - a nice break from doing calculations and put calculations into practice.

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This activity could be used as an assessment.

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Teacher notes in red.

List of Materials Per Group

• 1.3 moles of Flour (2 cups)
• 3.83 moles of Salt (¾ cup)
• 0.21 moles of Cream of Tartar (4 tsp)
• 27.1 moles of Warm Water (2 cups)
• 0.09 moles of Vegetable oil (2 Tbsp)
• 1 - Quart-sized Ziploc bag
• Electric scale
• 1 - Bowl to weigh large quantities in
• 1 - Watch glass to weigh small quantities in
• 1 - 50 mL beaker
• 1 - 150 mL beaker
• 1 - 1000 mL beaker
• 1 - Scoopula
• Calculator

Standards

Essential HS.P1U1.1

Develop and use models to explain the relationship of the structure of atoms to patterns and properties observed within the Periodic Table and describe how these models are revised with new evidence.

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Plus HS+C.P1U1.7

Use mathematics and computational thinking to determine stoichiometric relationships between reactants and products in chemical reactions.

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Science & Engineering Practices

Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

Mathematics and computation are fundamental tools for representing physical variables and their relationships in both science and engineering.

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Standards

HS-PS1-7 Matter and its Interactions

Use mathematical representations to support the claim that atoms, and therefore mass, are conserved during a chemical reaction.

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Arizona Mathematics Standards Plus Standards

P.MP.5 Use appropriate tools strategically.

P.MP.7 Look for and make use of structure.

Teacher Background Knowledge

How to calculate Molar Mass

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Grams to Moles

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Grams to Moles pt 1

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Grams to Moles pt 2

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Grams to Moles and Moles to Grams

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Objective:

To correctly calculate and measure ingredients for playdough by converting moles into grams and create a playdough of the correct consistency.

Agenda

Before Lab:

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Practice converting Moles to Grams (see practice sheets in Notes for Teachers)

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Day Before Lab:

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Review procedures, appropriate lab attire (15 min)

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Day of Lab:

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Lab (35 min)

Clean up (10 min)

Intro/Driving Question/Opening

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Your Playdough will tell the truth - if your calculations were correct.

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The proof is in the pudding.

Hands-on Activity Instructions

• Group students in groups of 2 or 3
• Follow Lab Packet

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Method:

• Calculate all of your grams/mole for each ingredient and record below - round to 2 decimal places.
• Calculate the amount of grams needed for each ingredient.
• Using the spoon, weight the appropriate amount of flour (don’t forget to tare) in the bowl and add to the Ziploc bag.
• Weight the appropriate amount of salt (don’t forget to tare) in the bowl and add to the Ziploc bag.
• Using the spoon, weight the appropriate amount of Cream of Tartar (don’t forget to tare) on the watch glass and add to the Ziploc bag.
• Using the 100 mL beaker, weight the appropriate amount of warm water (don’t forget to tare) in the 1000 mL beaker and add to the Ziploc bag.
• Add slowly, mixing as you add
• Weight the appropriate amount of vegetable oil (don’t forget to tare) in the 50 mL beaker and add to the Ziploc bag
• Continue to mix until completely incorporated - dough should be soft and not sticky or wet or dry.

Calculations:

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How many grams is 1 mole of:

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Flour (C6H5O10) - _________ g/mol

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Salt (NaCl) - _________ g/mol

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Water (H2O) - _________ g/mol

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Cream of Tartar (KC4H5O) - _________ g/mol

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Vegetable Oil (C18H34O2) - _________ g/mol

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How many grams does the moles convert to:

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Flour - 1.3 Moles → _____________ grams

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Salt - 3.83 Moles → _____________ grams

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Cream of Tartar - 0.21 Moles → _____________ grams

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Warm Water - 13.55 Moles → _____________ grams

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Vegetable Oil - 0.09 Moles → _____________ grams

Hands-on Activity Instructions cont.

Packet Answers:

How many grams is 1 mole of:

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Flour - 237.096 g/mol

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Salt - 58.443 g/mol

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Water - 18.015 g/mol

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Cream of Tartar - 108.141 g/mol

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Vegetable Oil - 282.468 g/mol

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How many grams does the moles convert to:

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Flour - 1.3 Moles → 308.2248 grams

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Salt - 3.83 Moles → 223.835 grams

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Cream of Tartar - 0.21 Moles → 22.718 grams

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Warm Water - 13.55 Moles → 244.1.35 grams

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Vegetable Oil - 0.09 Moles → 25.422 grams

Assessment

• This activity can be used as an assessment tool - if the playdough turns out properly, then the calculations were correct.
• The calculations in the lab packet can also be used as an assessment.

Differentiation

• Use of a student aide to help in practise calculations and calculations.

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• Pairing a student with another student that can be helpful.

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• Use of videos (from Teacher Background Knowledge) to reinforce calculations.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

• Have students do advanced practice calculations.

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• Pair with another student that can use help.

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• Have students make calculations on their own without their partners.