An example of an teaching analogy:
"If a bolt represents a positive ion, a nut analogous to a negative ion and assembled units represent undissociated molecules of the electrolyte, these units can be used to represent various types of electrolytes:
A strong electrolyte would be represented by an equal no. of separate nuts and bolts in a box (complete dissociation).
A weak electrolyte would be represented by assemblying most nuts and bolts into pairs, and having only a few disconnected (small per cent ionization).
A non-electrolyte would be represented by assemblying all the nuts and bolts into pairs so that none were disconnected (no ionization).
A more concentrated solution of a weak electrolyte would be represented by showing a greater number of assembled nuts and bolts, but a smaller per cent of them dissociated into separate pieces."
Previously posted at scienceanalogies.com by retired science teacher Murray Hart – original source: Fortman, John J. Pictorial Analogies X: Solutions of Electrolytes Journal of Chemical Education January 1994, 71(1), 27
Read examples of scientific analogies
Many examples of science analogies are listed in 'Creative comparisons: Making science familiar through language. An illustrative catalogue of figurative comparisons and analogies for science concepts'. Free Download.
