JCE Classroom Activity #105. A Sticky Situation: Chewing Gum and Solubility

Abstract

In this Activity, students perform several solubility tests using common food items such as chocolate, chewing gum, water, sugar, and oil. From their observations during the Activity, students will initially classify the substances tested as soluble or insoluble. They will then use their understanding of the chemistry of solubility to classify the substances as polar or nonpolar. The chemical concepts reinforced by the Activity include solubility, “like dissolves like”, polar and nonpolar, and phases.

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“…I have found that the classroom activities published in the Journal have enriched my curriculum and created interest about the topic. For instance, I use “A Sticky Situation: Chewing Gum and Solubility” well before I teach about solubility in my general chemistry course. I use it early in the course before we cover molecular and ionic compounds.…”