Using Video to Illustrate Dynamic Equilibria

In this short video clip, produced by Becta, a group of GCSE students describe how they used video to illustrate a dynamic equilibrium.

Students did this by rolling dice and, depending on their score, taking off or putting on their blazers. They noted that, on average, the number of them with blazers on or off remained roughly the same. The process shows that, whilst individuals are constantly changing, the whole system is in overall equilibrium.

URL: http://stem.org.uk/rx5as

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Dynamic equilibria
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Video, Category Three Materials

Dynamic equilibria

Review

Short but good

Posted by Sharon Smith on 30th May 2012

Activity time: 10 minutes
Level / prior knowledge: KS4

Activity time: 10 minutes
Level / prior knowledge: KS4
Subject / curriculum links / skills: Science/chemistry

Preparation time: 0 minutes
Extra resources: None
Commentary: I used this video to spur my year 11's into action! It is a one minute video with a group of boys illustrating the principle of dynamic equilibrium. My class said "that's rubbish Miss!" and agreed they needed lots more than 4 students to show it effectively. So the class of 30, with a couple of them filming, flipped coins and chose to stand up or sit down depending upon the result All the students participated and it provided a lively interlude in a fairly dull topic. It does show the benefits of student participation and provided a hook for them to remember how dynamic equilibrium looks static at the top level but is constantly changing at the molecular level.
This would be good activity to use as a break in a lesson and I will certainly use it again to see if it has the same effect on other classes.