Inquiries in Science Chemistry Series Deborah Semmler

Carolina Biological Supply Company Balancing Chemical Equation Kit Item# $ Refill # $84.95

Study 4 types of chemical reactions synthesis decomposition single replacement double replacement Predict the products of reactions Write and balance chemical equations Purpose

Included with the kit Needed but not supplied 50 g copper shot sucrose magnesium ribbons 1 M hydrochloric acid 0.1 M calcium chloride hydrogen peroxide Silver nitrate Sodium chloride Sodium hydroxide Zinc 100 aluminum weighing dishes manuals bunsen burners ring stands rings wire gauzes test tubes crucibles tongs scissors

1. Engage Activity : to help students reach an understanding of chemical reactions and to be able to accurately write, balance and classify chemical equations. Comment : this engage activity does not seem to fit the bill. It doesnt have them doing anything except developing a list of common reactions. Procedure

Explore Synthesis Reaction 1. Add a few copper shot to an aluminum weighing dish. 2. Place on a ring stand with wire gauze. 3. Heat for 5 minutes noting any changes as the metal reacts with oxygen in the air. 4. Observe the final product. 5. Remove when cool. (after about three to five minutes) Decomposition 1.Add enough sucrose to lightly cover the bottom of an aluminum weighing dish. 2.Heat the sugar on the wire gauze until the boiling ceases, noting any changes. 3.Observe the final product. 4.Remove when cool. 3-5 minutes.

Explore Single Replacement 1.Cut a small piece of magnesium ribbon and place in the bottom of an aluminum weighing dish. 2.Add enough hydrochloric acid to cover the ribbon. 3.Note any changes in the sample. Double Replacement 1.Add a small amount of sodium carbonate to a test tube. 2.Add a small amount of calcium chloride solution until a noticeable reaction occurs. 3.Observe the final product and note any changes that have occurred.

This is a flexible section that can be worked on together as a class, between lab partners or individually. It can also be used after the Extend activities. Comment: I dont think most students will be able to do this section without a lot of help if this is their first exposure to it. Not only are they to balance equations but they are also supposed to anticipate products. Explain

For this section, you are to use the information you learned in the explore activities to design your own reaction. 1.Pick one substance from column A and the corresponding item from column B and design an experiment using the Experimental Design Template. 2.All experiments must be approved before you begin the experiment. Extend

I had hoped this would be more about balancing equations than determining types of reactions. As an experiment that helps determine types of reactions, I guess it is okay, but the students will need to be familiar with these prior to these experiments. They also will need quite a bit of prior knowledge of chemical reactions and compound formation before they would be able to determine for example whether the synthesis reaction is using Cu +1 or Cu +2. Also- the idea of letting them just combine what they want is scary. I dont like how the directions for this section is written- sound like they can just add what they want. Later it does specify adding the corresponding item from column B, but I would have to rewrite these. Not what I was looking for. Comments: