Throwing%20Paper%20Wads%20in%20the%20Classroom

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Throwing Paper Wads in the Classroom Really
Active Student Learningby Jessica and Jeffery
Orvis
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Georgia Southern University

• Almost 2000 students per year in general
  chemistry
• Small classes (48 maximum)
• Table seating in the classroom

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Equilibrium

• Common misconceptions
• Equilibrium means equal amounts of reactant and
  product.
• A reaction at equilibrium has stopped.
• Equilibrium can only be achieved by starting with
  reactants.

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Paper Wad Demonstration

• Rules
• Each student wads up two paper wads.
• You must start and stop as the timekeeper says.
• Throw only one paper wad at a time.
• If a paper wad lands next to you, you must throw
  it back.

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• Pwad (left) Pwad (right)

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Equal Number of Students on Each Side of the
Classroom
Pwad (left) Pwad (right)
Time (s) Left Right
0 64 0
5 29 39
10 32 32
15 30 34
20 31 33
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30 Students on the Left Side 2 Students on the
Right Side
Pwad (left) Pwad (right)
Time (s) Left Right
0 0 64
5 4 60
10 7 57
15 9 55
20 8 56
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30 Students on the Left Side 2 Students on the
Right Side
Pwad (left) Pwad (right)
Time (s) Left Right
0 64 0
5 29 35
10 15 49
15 9 55
20 11 53
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Six Possible Demonstrations
Experiment Left (Reactant) Right (Product)
1 16 students- All the paper wads 16 students- No paper wads
2 16 students- No paper wads 16 students- All the paper wads
3 30 students- All the paper wads 2 students- No paper wads
4 30 students- No paper wads 2 students- All the paper wads
5 2 students- All the paper wads 30 students- No paper wads
6 2 students- No paper wads 30 students- All the paper wads
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Addressing Misconceptions

• Common misconceptions
• Equilibrium means equal amounts of reactant and
  product.
• No A reaction can be at equilibrium and have
  more paper wads on the product side of the room.
• A reaction at equilibrium has stopped.
• No-- The paper wads keep flying in both
  directions even after equilibrium is achieved.
• Equilibrium can only be achieved by starting with
  reactants.
• No Equilibrium can also be achieved when
  starting with all of the paper wads on the
  product side of the room.

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Rate Limiting Step

• Overall Reaction
• Pwad (table) ? Pwad (trash)
• Mechanism
• Pwad (table) Pwad (Alice)
• Pwad (Alice) Pwad (Bob)
• Pwad (Bob) Pwad (Chris)
• Pwad (Chris) Pwad (Donna)
• Pwad (Donna) Pwad (trash)

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Summary

• We have a good time.
• Students are actively involved in the classroom.
  
• Misconceptions regarding equilibrium are
  addressed.