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Science at key stage 3    (Year 7)

Unit 7E: Acids and alkalis
Section 1: a. What are acids and alkalis like and where do we use them?

QCA

Objectives
Children should learn:
  • that many household materials are acids and are not hazardous

Activities

Outcomes
Children:
  • Elicit pupils' ideas about acids by asking them to work in pairs or small groups to suggest words they would use to describe an acid and examples of where acids are used.
  • Show pupils a range of household acids that can be safely handled, eg vinegar, fruit juices, and ask them to explore and describe the appearance and smell of these. If appropriate, pupils could be asked to taste drops of the solutions that are food products. Provide packaging or labels from additional household materials (that do not have hazard warnings) and ask pupils to find the names of acids contained in them.
  • Ask pupils to compare what they found with the ideas they had about acids, and to highlight differences.
  • identify some acids, eg vinegar, lemon juice
  • identify some everyday uses of acids, eg in foods, medicines, cleaning materials

Points to note
  • This activity could be used to reinforce the idea that not all colourless liquids are water. Pupils are likely to have worked with liquids other than water at key stage 2.

    • Safety

    • eye protection should be used when working with acids and alkalis. Teachers should follow school procedures for dealing with spills and splashes
    • scrupulous hygiene must be observed in all tasting activities

Sections in this unit

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This unit is divided into sections. Each section contains a sequence of activities with related objectives and outcomes. You can view this unit by moving through the sections or print/download the whole unit.
1. a. What are acids and alkalis like and where do we use them?
2. b. What are acids and alkalis like and where do we use them?
3. How can acids and alkalis be identified and distinguished from each other?
4. Is there a range of acidity and alkalinity?
5. a. What happens when an acid is added to an alkali?
6. b. What happens when an acid is added to an alkali?
7. Checking progress
8. Where is neutralisation important?
9. Reviewing work