Transformations in Matter and Energy Carbon TIME is an NSF-funded partnership led by Michigan State University
(Optional) Activity 5.2 - Activity 5.2: Explaining Methane Burning (40 min)
Target Student Performance
Students explain how matter moves and changes and how energy changes when methane burns (connecting macroscopic observations with atomic-molecular models and using the principles of conservation of matter and energy).
Resources Provided
- 5.2 Explanations Tool for Methane Burning (1 per student)
- 5.2 Explaining Methane Burning PPT
- 5.2 Grading Explanations Tools for Methane Burning
Recurring Resources
- Three Questions Handout (Color Version) (1 per student)
- Three Questions Handout (BW Version) (1 per student)
- (Optional) Example Systems and Scale Explanations Handout (1 per student or per group)
Setup
Print one copy of the 5.2 Explanations Tool for Methane Burning for each student. In this activity, your students will need to use the Three Questions Explanations Checklist on the back of the Three Questions Handout. Be sure to have this available to students, and see the notes in the Modifications at the end of the Activity for ideas about how to use it.
Assessment
During the class, circulate while students are comparing their explanations. Listen to see if they are able to explain methane burning at both the macroscopic and atomic-molecular scales. Use the 5.2 Grading Explanations Tools for Methane Burning to grade your students’ work on the 5.2 Explanations Tool for Methane Burning. This worksheet accompanies explanations tools for all examples of combustion in this unit.
At this point in the lesson, students should be held accountable for correct answers.