Chemical reactions: acid and metal carbonate
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe what happens when a metal carbonate reacts with an acid and write chemical equations to describe these reactions.
Key learning points
- A group of one carbon atom and three oxygen atoms bonded together is called a carbonate group.
- Metal carbonate + acid → salt + water + carbon dioxide
- The test for carbon dioxide gas is to bubble it through limewater as it turns the solution cloudy (milky).
- Rain water is usually a little acidic and when it is more acidic than normal it is called acid rain.
- Acid rain reacts with marble to produce a salt, water and carbon dioxide, using up some of the marble.
Keywords
Chemical weathering - when rocks are broken down by a chemical change, for example reactions with acid rain
Limewater - a colourless solution which is used to test for carbon dioxide. It turns cloudy/milky white when carbon dioxide is bubbled through it
Chemical test - when a chemical reaction is carried out to determine the presence of a substance
Acid rain - rainwater that is more acidic than usual due to air pollution, usually caused by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides
Common misconception
Pupils think that acids ‘eat away’ materials and disappear. They observe reactions and see the loss of a reactant, but do not recognise the formation of a new soluble product.
Ensure that pupils understand the concept of solubility and use the words soluble and dissolve when describing the production of metal salts during these reactions.
Teacher tip
Different metal carbonates can also be tested during the practical to show that carbon dioxide is produced by all carbonates. Give each group a different carbonate and pool results to save time.
Equipment
Limewater, conical flask with bung and delivery tube, acid, clamp and stand, test tube, test tube rack.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the following chemical symbols/formulae to their name.
Q2.Match the following key terms to their definitions.
Q3.The word used to describe the release of gas from a chemical reaction in a solution is .
Q4.When sodium hydroxide is added to hydrochloric acid, what happens to the pH of the solution?
Q5.Which of the following equations is the general equation for a neutralisation reaction?
Q6.A pupil investigates the neutralisation of hydrochloric acid with sodium hydroxide. They add two drops of universal indicator to the solution, which turned blue. What does this tell them?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is the correct formula for a carbonate group?
Q2.metal ________ + acid → metal salt + water + carbon dioxide
Q3.Match the following gases to the chemical test for that gas.
Q4.Which of the following statements about rainwater are incorrect?
Q5.Which of the following are examples of chemical weathering?
Q6.Which of the following equations is the correct balanced symbol equation for the reaction between calcium carbonate and hydrochloric acid?
To help you plan your 9 science lesson on: Chemical reactions: acid and metal carbonate, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 science lesson on: Chemical reactions: acid and metal carbonate, 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 3 science lessons from the Acids and bases unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.