Acids and Bases

By Taik Kim •

Grade Level	10th
Subject Area	Chemistry
Duration	1 week (four 90-minute sessions)
Setting	Chemistry lab
Background Knowledge	pH scale, acid indicators, some experience with CBL system
Author	Taik Kim

Summary
In this activity, students compared and distinguished the properties of acids and bases and applied the understanding of acids and bases to real-world problems. Students measured and compared the pH value of various household products using the CBL and the pH probe. In the beginning, students measured and compared the pH values for various household products using the CBL and the pH probe: lemon juice, white vinegar, soap, baking soda, soft drinks, ammonia, and milk. Later on, students measured the pH level of the fish tank for three days and observed how goldfish react to different pH levels.

Objectives
Students will be able to: Identify the physical and chemical properties of acids and bases. Categorize common household materials as acids or bases. Relate pH to the strengths of acids and bases. Recognize how pH levels can affect the life of fish or other animals that live in water.

Ohio Standards
Physical Sciences Explain how atoms react with each othe rto form other substances and how molecules react with each other or other atoms to form even different substances. (Demonstrate that the pH scale (0-14) is used to measure acidity and classify substances or solutions as acidic, basis, or neutral.) Science and Technology Explain that science and technology are interdependent; each drives the other. Scientific Inquiry Participate in and apply the process of scientific investigation to create models and to design, conduct, evaluate and communicate the results of these investigations.

Additional Resources
Chemistry textbook