The Element Song- A Must See for all GeyerChem-ers

Chemistry is all about the elements.  You are now the proud owner of your own color coded periodic table, and you have experienced my favorite website ptable.com.  I think you're ready for the element song.

Tom Lehrer, a musician and comedian, wrote the element song in 1959.  In the lyrics, Lehrer recites the names of all the known elements (up to 102 in 1959).  The video shows images of the actual elements as the names are sung.  You'll love it, or at least find it mildly amusing in a science-geek sort of way.

Here's a link to the lyrics, and you can make the element song your ring tone!

Element Song Lyrics

Inspired by Atoms and the Elements

We spent this week immersed in the anatomy of the atom.  But have you ever wondered about the atoms that are in your anatomy?  Your body is composed of a huge number of atoms, all working together to make biological molecules that, when put together in just the right way, make you into a living-breathing person.  Where do all those atoms come from?  It is interesting to consider that nearly all the atoms that are in your body get replaced every year.  So, in essence, you're literally not the person you were just last year because all of your atoms have been replaced by other Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen atoms that you have ingested or inhaled or rubbed up against.

Take a look at this cool video I found that illustrates the connections you have with the stars.

We Are Star Dust

I gave you a brief introduction to the periodic table using ptable.com (my favorite website).  Who can help but be inspired by the layers of information contained in this chemistry icon.   A friend of mine sent me the link for a fun iPad app called Nova Elements.  You can play a game called Essential Elements where you build atoms and molecules of common substances from subatomic particles (protons, neutrons, and electrons).  There's another awesome interactive periodic table to explore on the app too.  You'll also find a video, that I must confess I haven't watched yet.  Take a look if you have an iPad. (it's a free app!)

Nova element app

Let me know what you think about the video, the app, or another interesting site you have found related to the atom or the periodic table.  Or, you can post your favorite element and why.

Welcome to Chemistry!

This is so cool!

Welcome to Chemistry!  I'm so excited to get started on another school year with you in my class.   This is my 16th year of teaching (that sounds like a long time).  I love my job because every year is so different and always a lot of fun.  You, my dear chemistry students, make my days interesting, fun, and (yes) challenging.  This year will be another great adventure in my quest for new and exciting chemistry experiences.

You started off with a fun exploration of an interesting system of milk, food coloring, and dish soap.  I encourage you to try this at home to impress and amuse your family.  You conducted your first controlled experiment today when you changed one component of the system and then observed the effect of that change.  Now I want you to think about what caused the system to change.

Take a look at this short video that gives one possible explanation of the phenomenon of the milk and food coloring.

Click Here to Watch the Milk Experiment Video


Now I want you to think about your experiment.  Do your results support or contradict the explanation you just saw?  Post a comment about how your results support or disclaim the milk experiment explanation.