Reaction Mechanisms
What are Reaction Mechanisms?
A reaction mechanism is the process of individual chemical reactions termed 'elementary steps' that need to take place in order for a whole chemical reaction to proceed. Instead of going straight from reactants to products, the elementary steps define the changes that take place along the way from initial to end products.
adapted from:
DiGiuseppe, M., Haberer, S., Salciccioli, K., Sanader, M., & Vavitsas, A. (2012). Nelson Chemistry 12 University preparation. Toronto, ON: Nelson Education Ltd.
A reaction mechanism is the process of individual chemical reactions termed 'elementary steps' that need to take place in order for a whole chemical reaction to proceed. Instead of going straight from reactants to products, the elementary steps define the changes that take place along the way from initial to end products.
adapted from:
DiGiuseppe, M., Haberer, S., Salciccioli, K., Sanader, M., & Vavitsas, A. (2012). Nelson Chemistry 12 University preparation. Toronto, ON: Nelson Education Ltd.
LESSON OVERVIEW (SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS: D3.7)
Lesson Hook/Minds On:
Have students brainstorm in groups about how they get to school; especially about all the parts that make up their travel/commute. After students have compared their stories, ask for a student to volunteer their experience. As they are doing this, draw on the board their journey as a series of steps going form point A to B to C, etc.. Next, ask the class why the student could not just travel directly from point A to the destination by drawing a line from point A to the endpoint. Finally, explain that the same thing happens in chemical reactions as there may need to be several necessary steps before we can obtain the final product.
Have students brainstorm in groups about how they get to school; especially about all the parts that make up their travel/commute. After students have compared their stories, ask for a student to volunteer their experience. As they are doing this, draw on the board their journey as a series of steps going form point A to B to C, etc.. Next, ask the class why the student could not just travel directly from point A to the destination by drawing a line from point A to the endpoint. Finally, explain that the same thing happens in chemical reactions as there may need to be several necessary steps before we can obtain the final product.
Teaching Strategy:
Show students the YouTube video on reaction mechanisms to the left. The video goes at a very nice pace and is quite detailed. It is complimented nicely with both text and animations. It even opens with a nice real life example that can serve as a hook/minds on to grasp students' attention. There are even guiding questions for students to follow along. The teacher can assist individual students who are having trouble as well as stop the video for any clarifications at any time. |
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Consolidation:
To sum up, students can be assigned the following mini assignment. Students can begin working on the practice problems in class and finish as homework. Practising solving these problems will help build a solid foundation for this knowledge, and not just for logical-mathematical thinkers but for everybody. |
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FOPP: Commitment to students and student learning
Click below for a few resources that can be used in conjunction with a lesson to further demonstrate the concept of reaction mechanisms.