Classroom Resources: Acids & Bases

1 – 25 of 56 Classroom Resources

• 

  Observations, Physical Properties, Solubility, Physical Change, Precipitate, Identifying an Unknown, Chemical Change, Indicators, Chemical Properties | High School

  Lab: Using Qualitative Analysis to Identify Household Compounds

  In this lab, students will be introduced to common laboratory techniques, safety procedures, lab reagents, and terminology, all while identifying unknown household substances. Students will learn how to use qualitative analysis techniques as a systematic way to identify unknown materials. As part of this process, they will practice careful observation and documentation, as well as identifying relevant physical and chemical properties and changes, including solubility, color change, gas formation, and precipitation of solids.

• 

  Indicators, pH | Middle School, High School

  Activity: The pH Scale

  In this activity, students will be introduced to the fundamentals of the pH scale and how it is used to distinguish between acids and bases. They will be shown everyday examples of acids and bases and where they fall on the pH scale. The logarithmic nature of the pH scale is explained, and universal indicator is introduced as a way of identifying the pH of a substance. There is also a brief overview of the chemistry of acids and bases.

• 

  Indicators, pH | Middle School, High School

  Animation: The pH Scale Animation

  In this activity, students will be introduced to the fundamentals of the pH scale and how it is used to distinguish between acids and bases. They will be shown everyday examples of acids and bases and where they fall on the pH scale. The logarithmic nature of the pH scale is explained, and universal indicator is introduced as a way of identifying the pH of a substance. There is also a brief overview of the chemistry of acids and bases.

• 

  Physical Properties, Identifying an Unknown, Indicators, Chemical Properties, pH | High School

  Lab: Pigment pH Puzzles

  In this lab, students will use their scientific detective skills to determine the identity of pigments used in various types of pH test strips based on how they each interact with several solutions of different pH values.

• 

  Le Châtelier's Principle, Equilibrium Constants | High School

  Activity: How do Pollutants Affect our Oceans?

  In this activity, students will use the simulation, Surface Ocean pH Levels, from the Chemistry in Context Simulation Suite to investigate the values related to ocean acidification and interpret systems with multiple equilibria.

• 

  Equilibrium Constants, Establishing Equilibrium, Reaction Quotient, Graphing | High School

  Activity: Shaking Dice to Model Equilibrium Principles

  In this activity, students work together in small groups using a variety of multi-sided dice to model the dynamic character of a chemical equilibrium. Students will collect, share and analyze data in order to understand that the rate of a chemical reaction depends on the concentration of reactants (and products) as modelled by the different sided dice.

• 

  Separating Mixtures, Concentration, Review, Culminating Project, Covalent Bonding, Ionic Bonding, Percent Composition, Le Châtelier's Principle, Calorimetry, Titrations, Indicators, Redox Reaction, Half Reactions, Beer's Law, Buffers, Enthalpy, Conductivity, Mixtures, Alloys, pH | High School

  Lesson Plan: AP Chemistry Experimental Evidence Review

  In this lesson, students will evaluate data from 16 simulated lab experiments that were designed to mirror the Recommended Labs from the College Board. Corresponding lab experiments and demonstration options have also been included for teacher reference.

• 

  Observations, Chemical Change, Balancing Equations, Chemical Change, Activity Series, Acid Base Reactions, Electron Transfer, Electrons, Predicting Products | High School

  Simulation: Metals In Aqueous Solutions

  In this activity, students will run simulated tests of various metals in aqueous solutions to determine the relative reactivity of these metals. A total of eight metals will be observed in various combinations with the corresponding metal nitrate solutions and hydrochloric acid. Students will interpret the data collected to construct an activity series of the elements used in this simulation.

• 

  Indicators, Acid & Base Theories, pH | High School

  Lab: Odorants as pH Indicators

  In this lab, students will observe how the aromas of common pantry items (vinegar, coffee, liquid aminos) change with pH, and relate these observations to their understanding of acid-base equilibrium.

• 

  Balancing Equations, Combustion, Classification of Reactions, Chemical Change, Acid Base Reactions | Middle School, High School

  Animation: Classifying Chemical Reactions Animation

  In this animation, students will learn about some of the ways to classify different types of chemical reactions. It covers synthesis (combination), decomposition, single replacement (single displacement), double replacement (double displacement), combustion, and acid-base neutralization reactions.

• 

  Balancing Equations, Classification of Reactions, Chemical Change, Acid Base Reactions | Middle School, High School

  Activity: Animation Activity: Classifying Chemical Reactions

  In this activity, students will learn about some of the ways to classify different types of chemical reactions. It covers synthesis (combination), decomposition, single replacement (single displacement), double replacement (double displacement), combustion, and acid-base neutralization reactions.

• 

  Identifying an Unknown, Titrations, Acid Base Reactions, Molarity | High School

  Lesson Plan: Investigating a Suspicious Drowning with Titrations

  In this lesson, students take on the role of a forensic chemist who is tasked with investigating a suspicious drowning incident. Students will conduct a series of titrations on an evidence sample of water collected from the victim's lungs as well as on several water samples from local water sources (lakes, rivers, wells, etc.) Based on their findings, they will determine where the victim actually drowned.

• 

  Reaction Rate, Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Exothermic & Endothermic, Heat, Temperature | High School

  Lab: A Comparison of Two Chemical Reactions

  In this lab, students will perform two chemical reactions, one between acetic acid and sodium bicarbonate and the other between the citric acid and the sodium bicarbonate in an Alka-Seltzer tablet when dissolved in water. Both reactions will produce gas while reacting in a closed plastic sandwich bag, causing it to inflate. Students will observe the reactions and analyze the results in order to understand indicators of chemical changes, heat flow, and factors that affect reaction rates

• 

  History, Strong vs Weak, Acid & Base Theories, Acid Base Reactions, pH | Middle School, High School

  Activity: What are Acids & Bases? Video Questions

  In this lesson, students will watch a video and answer questions about acids and bases. They will learn about characteristics of acids and bases, the pH scale, and the role of acids in biochemistry.

• 

  Concentration, Molarity, Net Ionic Equation, Titrations, Indicators, Strong vs Weak, Acid & Base Theories, Buffers | High School

  Lesson Plan: Acids and Bases Unit Plan

  The AACT high school classroom resource library and multimedia collection has everything you need to put together a unit plan for your classroom: lessons, activities, labs, projects, videos, simulations, and animations. We constructed a unit plan using AACT resources that is designed to teach the topic of acids and bases to your students.

• 

  Stoichiometry, Titrations, Reduction, Redox Reaction, Oxidation, Half Reactions, Oxidation Number | High School

  Lesson Plan: Redox Reactions & Titrations

  This lesson students will review oxidation states, half-reactions, balancing reactions and understand how to complete calculations and perform a redox titration.

• 

  Observations, Chemical Change, Chemical Change, Acid Base Reactions | Middle School, High School

  Lab: How do Sinkholes Form?

  In this lab students will learn how acidic groundwater reacts with limestone, causing it to erode. Sinkholes form when eroded limestone underneath the surface of the earth can no longer support the ground above it. Students will test how acid reacts with a variety of rocks and determine which rocks would be best to build a city on top of in order to reduce the chance of sinkholes forming.

• 

  History, Strong vs Weak, Acid & Base Theories | Middle School, High School

  Activity: Acid & Base Guys Video Questions

  In this activity, students will watch a video about the history of acids and bases. They will learn about the evolution of these theories, from Lavoisier to Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry, and Lewis.

• 

  Net Ionic Equation, Indicators, Strong vs Weak, Salts | High School

  Lab: Hydrolysis of Salts

  In this lab, students will observe the hydrolysis of several salt samples. They will first predict which solutions are acidic, basic or neutral, and then discover the pH of each through the use of indicators. Students will share and compile their experimental results, as well as have an opportunity to determine the net-ionic equations for each reaction.

• 

  Concentration, Acid & Base Theories | High School

  Lesson Plan: Calculating pH, A Look at Logarithms

  In this lesson, students will be introduced to a base-10 logarithmic scale and use it to calculate pH from hydrogen ion concentration. Often students are able to calculate pH by pushing the correct buttons on their calculators, but they don’t understand what the values mean. This lesson attempts to bridge that gap using a guided inquiry model.

• 

  Acid & Base Theories, Buffers | High School

  Lesson Plan: Preparation and Evaluation of Buffers

  In this lesson students will use multiple methods to calculate and prepare buffered solutions with a desired pH. Upon preparation of the solutions, the students will explore differing aspects of buffers including buffering capacity and predominant form.

• 

  Strong vs Weak, Equilibrium Constants, Salts | High School

  Lesson Plan: Categorizing, Calculating and Applying Concepts from Weak Acids, Weak Bases and Salts

  In this lesson students will write dissociation reactions to make connections between conjugate acid-base pairs. They will use beaker diagrams in a cooperative group activity to better understand why the pH calculation for a weak acid/base is not the same for a strong acid/base. Finally, students will apply these concepts in a lab in which they will identify several unknown, clear, colorless solutions using factors such as pH, conductivity and reactivity. The activities in this lesson can be used in sequence or as standalone activities.

• 

  Interdisciplinary, Indicators | Middle School, High School

  Lab: Exhaling Acid

  In this lab students will observe how increased carbon dioxide levels lead to a build-up of acidic conditions.

• 

  Indicators | High School

  Lab: Exploring the Properties of Acids and Bases

  In this lab, students will rotate through five stations. They will explore the properties of many household substances and discover a few properties of acids and bases.

• 

  Stoichiometry, Percent Composition, Titrations, Indicators, Acid Base Reactions | High School

  Lab: The Egg-straordinary Issue

  In this lab students will determine the percent composition of calcium carbonate contained in an eggshell by using a back titration in order to address a farmer’s concerns about his hen’s fragile eggs. Two versions of the student lab are included, a scripted version, and an inquiry version.