Nano Gold Module

This module, created by the Center for Nanotechnology Education (Nano-Link), introduces students to nanoparticles. During the learning activity students "make gold nanoparticles through a chemical process, and examine their optical properties."

Learning outcomes for this module are:

• Understand how nanoparticles can be formed in a chemical reaction (oxidation-reduction).
• Understand how the properties of materials may change as their physical size approaches the nanometer scale.

The module consists of an instructor guide and presentation slides. The 14-page instructor guide includes an abstract, learning outcomes, prerequisites, learning activity description and procedure, discussion questions, and more. The presentation slides provide background information on nanoparticles for the learning activity, including the following topics: Nanoparticles, Uses for Nanoparticles, the Visible Light Spectrum, Why We See Colors, Making Nanoparticles, and Stabilizing Nanoparticles.