Exploring Bond Enthalpy by Breaking Rope Candy with a Luggage Scale

A novel teaching approach is aimed at elucidating the concept of bond enthalpy for general chemistry students. Through the integration of a hands-on candy pulling activity, students in a large lecture class were provided a tangible experience to explore bond strengths using rope candy and a luggage scale. Feedback from students indicated a clear appreciation for the demonstration of bond enthalpy, highlighting the effectiveness of the activity in enhancing comprehension. Furthermore, the involvement of undergraduate learning assistants (LAs) to plan and execute the activity contributed to fostering an engaging learning environment. Overall, the success of this innovative teaching activity underscores its transformative impact on student learning experiences, emphasizing the importance of active engagement and practical applications in chemistry education.