I’ve mentioned a number of times the huge power I find in analogies and how key they are to making complex material digestable. I implemented another useful one the other day. It was all about diagosing reaction types for intro chemistry students I was helping. As always, they were getting lost in the weeds on the terminology, and I was loking for a simple way to explain them…
1) Combination Reaction –> A Marriage
2) Decomposition Reaction –> A Divorce
3) A Single Replacement Reaction –> Cheating on your spouse
4) Double Replacement Reaction –> Well…(I need a better way to explain this!…a little too risque I worry)
For better or worse, this turning chemical reactions into interpersonal relationships is REALLY working!
About Mr. Metcalfe
Hi! My name is Mr. Metcalfe. I live in CT with my amazing wife and three wonderful children. I have a slightly unhealthy obsession with fly fishing and spend lots of time pursuing striped bass, trout, steelhead and salmon all around the great northeast.
I am currently in the process of looking for a full-time biology/chemistry teaching position. This blog is a chance to share everything I love about the subjects and test out different topics, methods, etc. I would some day like to incorporate into my own classroom.
The Backyard Biologist! 
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