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Science at key stage 3    (Year 9)

Unit 9H: Using chemistry
Section 4: How else are chemical reactions used as energy resources?

QCA

Objectives
Children should learn:
  • that displacement reactions involving metals produce energy
  • that the energy from these reactions can be used
  • to link energy produced in displacement reactions to differences of reactivity of metals

Activities

Outcomes
Children:
  • Ask pupils to suggest other examples of situations in which chemical reactions are used as energy resources. If necessary, remind them of the thermit reaction. Demonstrate or ask pupils to explore the generation of a voltage from simple voltaic cells. Remind them of the reactivity series of the metals and ask them to predict pairings of metals that will give relatively high and low voltages and to test their predictions.
  • Remind pupils of their investigation of the reactivity of magnesium and zinc in unit 9F 'Patterns of reactivity', and ask them to carry out quick test-tube reactions to compare the temperature changes when different metals are added to solutions of a salt, eg copper sulphate, ensuring they make a reasonably fair comparison. Discuss results with pupils, record word equations and, where appropriate, symbol equations for the reactions, and the key points relating energy produced to differences in reactivity.
  • describe chemical reactions that are used to produce energy
  • relate the energy produced to differences in reactivity, eg magnesium and copper are further apart in the reactivity series than iron and copper, so more energy will be produced

Points to note
  • The thermit reaction is included in unit 9F 'Patterns of reactivity', and chemical cells are covered in unit 9I 'Energy and electricity'.
  • Extension: pupils could be asked to find out about the chemical reactions in some cells. Details are not needed; the work is to establish the principle that energy comes from the reactions.

    • Safety

    • use 0.4 mol dm-3 copper sulphate solution

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 chemical reactions take place when fuels burn?
2. b. What chemical reactions take place when fuels burn?
3. b. How else are chemical reactions used as energy resources?
4. How else are chemical reactions used as energy resources?
5. What types of new material are made through chemical reactions?
6. Checking progress
7. a. What happens to atoms and molecules when new materials are made?
8. b. What happens to atoms and molecules when new materials are made?
9. c. What happens to atoms and molecules when new materials are made?
10. d. What happens to atoms and molecules when new materials are made?
11. Reviewing work