Category: Chemistry
Subject: science
Key stage: ks3
Year: year-9
Description: This unit covers acids, alkalis, and their neutralisation reactions, the pH scale, and the reactions of acids with metals and alkalis. It also examines the chemical properties of metal and non-metal oxides. Emphasis is on evaluating risks, using appropriate techniques, and making observations.
Why this, why now: This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Understanding chemical reactions, where they explored how substances interact and transform during chemical processes. It deepens their understanding by examining the properties of acids and bases, their reactions, and the concept of pH. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Making salts, where they will apply their knowledge of acid-base reactions to create different salts, reinforcing the practical application of chemical reactions and enhancing their understanding of chemical processes.
Prior knowledge requirements: Some solids can dissolve to form solutions. New materials are formed as a result of a chemical reaction. One group (or class) of chemical substances is called acids. In a chemical reaction, atoms rearrange themselves to form new substances Word equations are a simple way of describing chemical reactions
National curriculum content: Evaluate risks Use appropriate techniques, apparatus, and materials during fieldwork and laboratory work, paying attention to health and safety Make and record observations and measurements using a range of methods for different investigations; and evaluate the reliability of methods and suggest possible improvements Interpret observations and data, including identifying patterns and using observations, measurements and data to draw conclusions Defining acids and alkalis in terms of neutralisation reactions The pH scale for measuring acidity/alkalinity; and indicators Reactions of acids with metals to produce a salt plus hydrogen Reactions of acids with alkalis to produce a salt plus water The chemical properties of metal and non-metal oxides with respect to acidity
Unit lessons: