Water: The Universal Solvent  Cathy Erickson,  Newburyport High School, Newburyport, MA   Paula Flanagan  Hingham High School, Hingham, MA 

Introduction  Students will visualize the critical characteristic of the water molecule that allows it to be such a good solvent, namely its polar nature.  3 Simulabs  Rate of Dissolving,  Structure of Water  Dissociation of NaCl

Intended Audience  This project is designed to supplement Unit 1 Section C of the the ChemCom (Chemistry in the Community) curriculum  Any high school Chemistry course  Physical Science  Oceanography  Environmental Science

Adjustment/Adaptation Enrichments  Simulab #1:Rate of Dissolving  Excel or other graphing program  Simulab #2: Structure of Water  Hydrogen Bonding Effects  Hexagonal arrangement of molecules in ice  Simulab #3: Dissociation of NaCl  Adding various ions

Placement in Curriculum  ChemCom Water Unit  Part B:  Physical properties of water  Elements, compounds and mixtures  Molecular structure (Simulab #2: Structure of the Water Molecule)  Part C:  Solubility and solubility curves (Simulab #1: Rate of Dissolving)  Ions and ionic compounds (Simulab #3:Ionization of NaCl)

Time for 3 Simulabs One 90 minute or two 45 minute classes

Resources & Equipment  ChemCom Text 4 th ed. (2002)W.H. Freeman, N.Y.  2-3 students per computer  Multimedia Projector or T.V. with computer interface

Goals and Objectives  From the Mass. Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework:  Solutions:  7.1 Describe the process by which solutes dissolve in solvents.  7.2 Identify and explain temperature as a factor that affects the rate of dissolving  From ChemCom:  Use the polarity of water molecules to explain water’s ability to dissolve ionic solid.

Instructional Activities: Investigating the Cause of the Fish Kill Lesson 1 Intro to solubility w/ curve Lesson 2 Solution conc. Prelab Lesson 3 Wet lab: Constructing a Solubility curve Lesson 4 Dissolving Ionic Compounds 3 Simulabs Lesson 5 Heavy metals, pH Lesson 6 Dissolved molecular substances Lesson 7 Dissolved gases Lesson 8 Data Analysis

Assessments  Embedded:  Simulab worksheets  Graphing exercise  Homework  Reading Guides  Your Turns  Pre and Post Lab Report  Formal Making Decisions: Data Analysis