Chemistry: Thirst Quenchers Inquiry

Objectives

• Students will write equations for the dissociation of compounds in water.
• Students will use a Conductivity Probe to measure the conductivity of solutions.
• Students will determine which molecules or ions are responsible for conductivity of solutions.
• Students will investigate the conductivity of common drinks resulting from substituent compounds that dissociate to produce different numbers of ions.

Vocabulary

• conductivity
• electrolyte
• nonelectrolyte
• molecular acid
• molecular compound
• ionic compound
• molecule
• ion

About the Lesson

This lesson involves testing the conductivity of common solutions.
As a result, students will:

• Perform the preliminary activity, and then generate a researchable question of their own.
• Plan their research, carry out the research plan, organize and graph the data, draw a conclusion, and communicate the results.