At Alison’s Montessori, we continue to create innovative materials that support the needs of 21st-century classrooms. We are excited to introduce another chemistry material, Chemical Reaction Rates Complete Set which includes a hands-on puzzle with Research Cards and Task Cards. Our materials provide an in-depth insight into chemical reactions and how the responses are measured. These materials, combined with a live experiment, will ensure high interest and comprehension!
Children typically learn about chemical reaction rates in the last upper elementary year or middle school years. This is because it is a complex topic that requires a basic understanding of chemistry. The purpose of studying chemical reaction rates is to understand how the speed of a chemical reaction can be affected by different factors. This knowledge can be used to design and optimize chemical processes. In this post, we will explain the purpose of learning about chemical reaction rates and suggest an experiment to test chemical reaction rates.
Materials
- Chemical Reaction Rates – Complete Set or Chemical Reaction Rates Supplement Materials (budget-friendly option)
- A flask
- Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- A stopwatch
- A measuring cup
Why Learn About Chemical Reaction Rates?
Chemical reaction rates are a fundamental concept in chemistry, and understanding them can help learners to better understand the world around them. For example, knowing how the rate of a reaction can be affected by factors such as temperature, concentration, and the presence of a catalyst can help learners to understand how to control the rate of a reaction for a desired outcome.
Materials on chemical reaction rates can help learners to understand this concept in an engaging way and serve as an introduction to or a follow-up after an experiment. By doing experiments, learners can see how the rate of a reaction can be affected by different factors. This hands-on learning experience can help learners to better understand the concepts involved and to remember them more effectively thanks to the permanent accessibility of our material, Chemical Reaction Rates – Complete Set (or Chemical Reaction Rates Supplement Materials).
Vinegar and Baking Soda Experiment
Procedure
- Fill the flask with 100 milliliters of vinegar.
- Measure out 10 grams of baking soda into a measuring cup.
- Start the stopwatch and pour the baking soda into the flask.
- Observe how quickly the baking soda and vinegar react.
- Stop the stopwatch when the reaction is complete.
Results
The time it takes for the baking soda and vinegar to react will vary depending on the amount of baking soda used, the temperature of the vinegar, and the size of the flask. However, in general, the reaction will be faster if more baking soda is used, if the vinegar is warmer and if the flask is smaller.
Conclusion
This experiment demonstrates how the rate of a chemical reaction can be affected by different factors. By varying the amount of baking soda used, the temperature of the vinegar, and the size of the flask, you can see how these factors affect the rate of reaction.
(Safety precautions are always recommended such as wearing safety goggles and being aware that vinegar can be corrosive)
We hope your learners enjoy chemistry as much as we do! Our materials are versatile and can help with presentation or as a way to keep learners engaged with foundational knowledge. For more Montessori-aligned materials, visit our website at www.alisonsmontessori.com.
