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Blog posts

How big is a sodium atom? 31 July 2014

The new IB data booklet which is available on the OCC has some very different data in it for atomic (and ionic) radii compared to previous versions. For example: It looks as if the radius of sodium... more

Antioxidants in red wine 13 May 2014

Antioxidants feature quite highly in the current IB Chemistry programme - particularly in Option F - Food Chemistry. Assessment statement F. 8.1 covers how antioxidants work and stresses the importance... more

Make graphene in your kitchen? 29 April 2014

How about some kitchen chemistry to make graphene? The structure of graphite has been known for a long time. It consists of sp2 hybridized carbon atoms strongly bonded to three other carbon atoms to... more

IB Chemistry environmental issues 31 March 2014

One of the most important aspects of the new IB chemistry programme for first exams in 2016 is the emphasis put on environmental chemistry. Topics such as global warming, acid deposition and ozone depletion... more

'Chemicals' 14 February 2014

If you want some interesting posters to liven up your lab/classroom you might want to look at those produced for sale by James Kennedy, a teacher at Haileybury School in Melbourne, Australia. In an attempt... more

Who discovered oxygen? 27 JIB Docs (2) Teamary 2014

In the new Guide for first teaching in 2014 under Stoichiometric relationships, it states in the Theory of Knowledge part of 1.1 “Lavoisier’s discovery of oxygen, which overturned the phlogiston... more

First commercial fuel cell car 6 JIB Docs (2) Teamary 2014

One of the topics in the new Energy option for 2014 onwards is the thermodynamic efficiency of fuel cells. This is equal to ΔG/ΔH and the value is much higher than for conventional fossil fuels. It... more

Arden Zipp 21 December 2013

One of the real joys of teaching is that you can make a huge difference to other people. Perhaps the greatest reward is when former students tell you how much influence you have had upon them. I certainly... more

Where is your country on the Pisa scale? 3 December 2013

Where is your country on the Pisa list? The Pisa (Programme for International Student Assessment) results were announced today. Pisa is carried out by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development... more

Investigate an aspect of diving submarines 30 October 2013

Regular readers of this website will know that I am a fan of using materials readily available in supermarkets, for example beer bottle caps in the determination of the formula of magnesium oxide. I... more