Demonstration Lesson Plans Click Below
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2. Polymer Chemistry & "Diapers"
3. Boiling Water in a Syringe at Room Temperature
4. Water & Alcohol Mixtures & "The Amazing Air Bubble"
Section 1- Chemical
& Physical Changes
Section 2- Chemical
& Physical Properties
Section 4 - Corrosion
Section 5 - Acids/Bases/In dicators
Section 6 - Gases & Pressure
Appendix 1 -Charts & tables, Disposal of Chemicals, Sources of Chemicals, Preparations of Acid and Solutions
Appendix 2 Properties of Common Elements, Descriptions of the Elements, Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide
Appendix 3 Principles of Education, Prof. Hanko
The Reformed Witness, Rev. Cammenga
SECTION 3 : WATER & ITS PROPERTIES
How should the Reformed believer understand the concepts related to water and its properties?
Water is an amazing substance. It has many unique properties. Which of the properties are most important is a difficult question to answer. The main properties of water are its unique ability to decrease its density as it becomes a solid (opposite of all other substances whose densities increase as they become solids), its ability to dissolve many substances within itself, and the fact that it remains liquid from 0 o C to 100 o C. Its other properties include its remarkable ability to exhibit strong surface tension, its tremendous heat capacity, and its ability to pass through semi-permeable membranes easily (osmosis).
God created water for distinct purposes and functions within the creation. Each creature in the creation has distinct place in which it is to occupy and serves a distinct purpose in which it glorifies God. Furthermore all creatures are related to the other creatures.
God created laws in the creation. Laws have been created for water. These laws give water the properties which we observe. Without these laws water could not serve the purpose for which God created it. We too, are given laws. In disobedience to these laws we experience death. In the obedience of these laws we experience life.
Water makes up a huge portion of the creation. It is a major component in man. It is a major component of the earth. Much of the atmosphere is water vapor. God created water with the properties which we observe so that our life could exist. In God’s providence he continues to uphold and govern the creation. Therefore, God continually, by the word of his power, commands water to have a lighter density in the solid form than in the liquid form. Without this, water would freeze and sink to the bottom of lakes destroying plant and animal life. By God’s providence, he gives water a polar nature so that it can dissolve many ionic compounds. As a result of this, many solutions can be made which serve man. By God’s providence, he gives to water an ability to absorb much heat, so that lakes may have a moderating affect on climate. This moderating affect of climate gives different regions of the world different climates and different weather. We quickly see how God directs all things. All things in the creation are related to each other. We see the intricate design of God in the creation. We see God’s immutability, as these laws do not change from day to day. This constancy allows us to observe and predict things in the creation. Truly, "the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge." (Psalm 19:1,2).
Water is given in the Scriptures also to teach us about God’s preservation of His people and His judgement upon the wicked.
God uses water to preserve His people. God saved Noah and his family by the flood. God saved the Israelites by leading them by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm through the midst of the Red Sea. God healed Naaman from leprosy by having him wash seven times in the Jordan river. Leprosy was a picture in the Old Testament of spiritual death. Naaman was healed of his leprosy (given "spiritual life") by washing with water. Baptism pictures the washing away of our sin. Christ is the living water. He who drinks "Christ" lives. (John 4:14).
Water purifies. "Then washed I thee with water; yea, I thoroughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil" (Ezekiel 16:10) and "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water" (Hebrews 10:22). "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:25-27).
Scripture speaks of the man of God as being like a tree planted by the water’s side (Psalm 1:3) or as a green olive tree in the house of God (Psalm 52:8, Psalm 92:12,13). God speaks that the child of God grows spiritually when he hears and studies the word of God, just as a plant grows which is watered. "And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not" (Isaiah 58:11).
Scripture also speaks of water in terms of God’s judgment upon the world. God destroyed the world with the Flood. God destroyed obstinate Pharaoh and all his host in the Red Sea. Floods, storms and tempestuous seas are uses of water in judgment. "Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me" (Psalm 69:1). See Psalm 18 and Isaiah 30:20.
Therefore, when we teach the children about water and its properties we must clearly indicate that God has created all things. We indicate that God daily upholds and governs all things, even the "insignificant" properties of water for the sake of the elect. Furthermore, we are reminded that water is a picture of the salvation and purification of God’s people and that it is a picture of the judgment and destruction of the wicked.
The Federation Board of the Protestant Reformed Christian Schools commissioned Joel Minderhoud to develop this Repertoire of Chemical Demonstrations
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