Kemblox™ is a kit for modeling several aspects of the ionic compounds’ chemistry. The kit contains two parts: a) a system of complementary colored blocks, and b) a chart, color coded with the same colors as the blocks. Each color corresponds to the value of the ion’s charge (1, 2, 3, or 4). The blocks are also marked with the sign of the electrical charge of the ions they represent (+/-). The blocks have posts representing electrons, and wells representing electron deficit. The chart consists of a periodic table that indicates the charge of the ions formed by various atoms and of a list of the most common polyatomic ions. The rules for using KembloX™ to correctly model ionic compounds are simple: 1) no net charge of the formula unit, i.e. no posts or wells exposed, and 2) for didactic purposes, only one kind of cation and one kind of anion are involved, in the appropriate ratio, because double salts (such as dolomite – CaMg(CO3)2) are not covered by KembloX™. KembloX™ is used to illustrate chemical terms and concepts such as: ionic charge and formation of ionic compounds, Stock notation, nomenclature of ionic compounds, dissociation in solution, metathesis reactions with precipitate formation, full ionic equation, net ionic equation, spectator ions, limiting reactant, and excess reactant. Some of the illustrations will be presented. From a didactic perspective, KembloX™ addresses two of the main learning styles: visual and kinesthetic. A learning-by-discovery game based on KembloX™ has also been developed. KembloX™ could also be used for chemistry instruction for visually challenged students. KembloX™ also has chromatic appeal, to stimulate learning in STEAM and STEM programs. KembloX™ and its applications have been used both in the classroom and in the laboratory. The feedback both from faculty and from students was consistently positive.

KembloX™: Model kit for ionic compounds

254th National Meeting (2017)

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