Investigating Hand Sanitizer and Soap Mark as Favorite (4 Favorites)
DEMONSTRATION in Observations, Physical Properties, Molecular Structure, Mixtures. Last updated July 24, 2023.
Summary
In this demonstration, students will consider the purpose of using both hand sanitizer and soap to wash their hands. They will observe a model of the interaction between hand sanitizer particles and virus particles, as well as between soap particles and virus particles to gain a better understanding of how soaps and sanitizers work.
Grade Level
Elementary and Middle School
NGSS Alignment
This demonstration will help prepare your students to meet the performance expectations in the following standards:
- K-2-ETS1-3: Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each performs.
- 5-PS1-1: Develop a model to describe that matter is made of particles too small to be seen.
- MS-ETS1-3: Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.
- Scientific and Engineering Practices:
- Developing and Using Models
- Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Objectives
By the end of this demonstration, students should be able to:
- Explain that the particles that make up different types of matter are unique.
- Describe that some types of matter will mix with each other, while others will not.
- Make connections between molecular structure and the behavior of soap and hand sanitizer.
- Provide a basic explanation of how both soap and hand sanitizer work to destroy a virus particle.
Chemistry Topics
This demonstration supports students’ understanding of:
- Molecular Structure
- Molecular Interactions
- Mixtures
- Observations
- Physical Properties
Time
Teacher Preparation: 10 minutes
Lesson: 15–20 minutes
Materials
- 2 Small Paper Plates
- Tap Water
- Black Pepper
- 1 drop of Liquid Soap
- 1 drop of Hand Sanitizer
Safety
- Always wear safety goggles when handling chemicals in the lab.
- Students should wear proper safety gear during chemistry demonstrations. Safety goggles and lab apron are required.
- Students should wash their hands thoroughly before leaving the lab.
- When students complete the lab, instruct them how to clean up their materials and dispose of any chemicals.
Teacher Notes
- This project was originally designed as a lab for high school students, The Chemistry of Hand Sanitizer and Soap. This demonstration is a modification, inspired by that resource, for use in the elementary or middle school classroom.
- For a video walk through of this demonstration, teachers can view this video.
- This is designed as a demonstration, however depending on the age and ability of the students, it can be used as a lab activity instead.
- Depending on the grade level of the students, the teacher may want to complete the provided handout as a class. Alternatively, students could work together in small groups to brainstorm and discuss their observations before sharing them with the class.
- If the teacher plans to do this demonstration multiple times, it’s important that the plate be completely cleaned of any soap or hand sanitizer before doing it again.
Background information:
- Black pepper flakes are used to represent the virus particles in this demonstration. Virus particles are coated with nonpolar fats and proteins and are therefore not soluble in water.
- Soap contains particles that are called “surfactants”. These particles are important because they are attracted to the fatty coating of virus particles. The surfactant will surround the virus particle when it comes in contact, and essentially pull the virus particle apart, destroying it. Since soap is used in combination with water, after the interaction, there is an added benefit—everything is washed away in the sink.
- Hand sanitizers typically contain alcohol as the active ingredient. Alcohol has a similar interaction with virus particles as the surfactants in soap do. Alcohol breaks the fatty coating of the virus particle, which leads to destroying it. However, in order to be effective, a hand sanitizer should contain at least 60% alcohol. Additionally, a lot of hand sanitizer needs to be used to be effective, and it needs to come into contact with the virus particles on the skin in order to work. Some people don’t realize that the alcohol in the sanitizer can evaporate very quickly, which means evaporation can occur before germs or virus particles are destroyed.
- Additional background information about the use of hand sanitizers can be found in C&EN Magazine.
- An Answer Key document is available for teacher reference.
For the Student
Background
The term “like dissolves like” is used in chemistry a lot. The tiny particles that make up different types of matter are all unique. When different particles are mixed together many things can happen as a result! When particles are very similar to each other they are “attracted” to each other and mix easily, but if the particles are not similar, they will not mix together.
Some particles can be very strong “attractors”. They can even be so strong that they can pull other particles apart! Both soap and hand sanitizer particles have the ability to pull apart some other particles, like germs and virus particles.
Questions
- If two liquids are mix together to form a new mixture that all looks exactly the same, are the particles from the original two liquids alike or different
- Can you think of an everyday example of two liquids that don’t mix together?
- What do you know about the particles in the liquids used in your example in question 2?
Make a Prediction
Both soap and hand sanitizers are used to clean your hands. Do you think that one option is better at cleaning hands than the other? Explain why you think so.
Materials
- 2 Small Plastic Plates
- Tap Water
- Black Pepper
- 1 drop of Liquid Soap
- 1 drop of Hand Sanitizer
Safety
- Always wear safety goggles when handling chemicals in the lab.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before leaving the lab.
- Follow the teacher’s instructions for cleanup of materials and disposal of chemicals.
Procedure
- Your teacher will add tap water to two empty plastic plates.
- Black pepper flakes will be used to represent “virus particles” and will be sprinkled onto the water surfaces of both plates.
- Your teacher will add a drop of soap to the first plate. Observe what happens.
- Describe your observations of the soap in the data table below.
- Next, your teacher will add a drop of hand sanitizer to the second plate. Observe.
- Describe your observations of the hand sanitizer in the data table below.
Plate 1: Soap Added | Plate 2: Hand Sanitizer Added |
Analysis
- Black pepper flakes were used to represent “virus particles”. Describe how your observations of soap added to the virus particles and hand sanitizer added to the virus were similar.
- How were your observations of the soap and hand sanitizer different.
- Based on what you observed in this demonstration, do you think washing your hands with soap is more effective against germs than using hand sanitizer? Explain why.
Challenge
Consider these 3 observations:
- Soap mixes with water.
- Oil does not mix with water.
- Soap mixes with oil from dirty dishes.
What does this tell you about the particles in soap?