High school
Acids/bases, titration, indicators, renewable resources
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The Biodiesel Lab is an activity designed to introduce students to the chemistry of pH and acid/ base titrations through the lens of making biodiesel fuel. Biodiesel is a sustainable renewable energy source made from vegetable oil. Students will be guided to explore pH indicators and determine the percent composition of substances like vinegar all with materials they can find at home!
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Students will know
- Molarity
- Acids and base titrations
- pH scale
- pH indicators
- Equivalence points within acid base reactions
Students will understand
- How titration is used to determine molar concentrations
- The balance between a reaction and the reverse reaction determines the numbers of all types of molecules present.
- Matter is not lost through chemical reactions
Students will be able to
- Search for natural pH indicating substances
- Determine if substances are acidic or basic
- Use conversion equations to find unknown variables, including unknown concentrations of solutions in Molar, percent composition and percent error within their solutions.
- Neutralize acids and bases through titration experiments
- Practice precise measuring
Next Generation Science Standards Connections
HS-PS1-5 Apply scientific principles and evidence to provide an explanation about the effects of changing the temperature or concentration of the reacting particles on the rate at which a reaction occurs.
HS-PS1-6 Refine the design of a chemical system by specifying a change in conditions that would produce increased amounts of products at equilibrium.
HS-PS1-7 Use mathematical representations to support the claim that atoms, and therefore mass, are conserved during a chemical reaction.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills Connections
Process Standards
CHEM.2(F): collect data and make measurements with accuracy and precision;
CHEM.2(G): express and manipulate chemical quantities using scientific conventions and mathematical procedures, including dimensional analysis, scientific notation, and significant figures;
Concept Standards
CHEM.8(A): define and use the concept of a mole;
CHEM.8(C): calculate percent composition of compounds;
CHEM.8(F): differentiate among double replacement reactions, including acid-base reactions and precipitation reactions, and oxidation-reduction reactions such as synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, and combustion reactions;
CHEM.10(C): calculate the concentration of solutions in units of molarity;
CHEM.10(E): distinguish among types of solutions such as electrolytes and nonelectrolytes; unsaturated, saturated, and supersaturated solutions; and strong and weak acids and bases;
CHEM.10(H): define pH and calculate the pH of a solution using the hydrogen ion concentration.
Louisiana Standards for Science Connections
HS-PS1-5: Apply scientific principles and evidence to provide an explanation about the effects of changing the temperature or concentration of the reacting particles on the rate at which a reaction occurs.
HS-PS1-6: Refine the design of a chemical system by specifying a change in conditions that would produce increased amounts of products at equilibrium.
HS-PS1-7: Use mathematical representations to support the claim that atoms, and therefore mass, are conserved during a chemical reaction.