Education Technology

Swimming with Acids and Bases

Subject Area
Science: Chemistry: Acids, Bases, and Salts
Level
9-12
Activity Time
45 Minutes
Software
TI-Nspire™ CX
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire™ CX series
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS/CX II CAS
TI-Nspire™ Apps for iPad®
TI-Nspire Version
4.5

Swimming with Acids and Bases

Activity Overview

In this lesson, students will use a simulation to observe at the molecular level the difference between strong and weak acids and bases.

Objectives

  • Students will observe at the molecular level what makes a substance an acid or a base in water.
  • Students will observe at the molecular level the difference between strong and weak acids and bases.

Vocabulary

  • acid
  • base
  • dissociation
  • ion
  • ionization
  • strong acid/base
  • weak acid/base

About the Lesson

This lesson features simulations of a strong acid (HCl), a weak acid (HF), a strong base (NaOH), and a weak base (NH3) dissolving in water. Students will observe the changes that occur at the molecular level.
As a result, students will have a better understanding of:

  • What makes a substance an acid or a base.
  • What makes an acid or base strong or weak.

This activity was created using Lua. Learn more about Lua in TI-Nspire here.

Subject Area
Science: Chemistry: Acids, Bases, and Salts
Level
9-12
Activity Time
45 Minutes
Software
TI-Nspire™ CX
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire™ CX series
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS/CX II CAS
TI-Nspire™ Apps for iPad®
TI-Nspire Version
4.5
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