Energy changes: neutralisation practical
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can perform a practical to measure the temperature change in a neutralisation reaction, record results, analyse data, and conclude if the reaction is exothermic or endothermic.
Key learning points
- Neutralisation reactions involve an acid reacting with a base to form salt and water.
- Exothermic reactions release energy to the surroundings, often through heating.
- Methods must be detailed and replicable for reliable data collection.
- The initial and final temperatures of the reaction mixture need to be recorded to calculate energy change.
- Line graphs can illustrate relationships between continuous variables in experiments.
Keywords
Neutralisation - Neutralisation is when a chemical reaction takes place between an acid and base to produce a neutral solution of a salt and water.
Exothermic - An exothermic reaction is a type of reaction in which energy is transferred from the reactants to the surroundings e.g. combustion.
Method - A method describes how an experiment is carried out; it is a step-by-step procedure.
Line graph - A line graph involves two continuous variables being plotted to show if a relationship exists between them. Any trends in the data are shown with the addition of a line of best fit.
Conclusion - A conclusion sums up what has been found out during an investigation. It always refers to both the independent and dependent variables.
Common misconception
Pupils can assume that any decrease in temperature occurring when excess reactant is added to an exothermic reaction is because the reaction has become endothermic.
Explain that once the limiting reactant has been used up the exothermic reaction is complete. The addition of excess reactant will only act to cool down the reaction mixture.
Teacher tip
Use analogies such as what would happen to a hot cup of tea if you added cold water.
Equipment
class set of polystyrene cups and lids, thermometers, measuring cylinders, stirring rods, hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide solutions
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is an exothermic reaction?
Q2.What is an endothermic reaction?
Q3.What is the pH range of acidic solutions?
Q4.What is the pH range of alkaline solutions?
Q5.What does a pH indicator do?
Q6.What is a neutralisation reaction?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In the neutralisation practical, why is it important to measure the initial temperature of the hydrochloric acid?
Q2.What is the primary reason for the temperature increase during a neutralisation reaction?
Q3.What is the dependent variable in the neutralisation experiment?
Q4.Why is it important to use a polystyrene cup when conducting the neutralisation experiment?
Q5.How can you experimentally determine whether a neutralisation reaction is exothermic or endothermic?
Q6.If 25 cm³ of hydrochloric acid reacts with 25 cm³ of sodium hydroxide, what will be the final pH of the solution?
To help you plan your 10 combined science lesson on: Energy changes: neutralisation practical, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 combined science lesson on: Energy changes: neutralisation practical, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 combined science lessons from the Energy changes in reactions unit, dive into the full secondary combined science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.