Play(dough)ing with Acids and Bases
5th Graders: Yesterday the fifth graders went deeper into chemistry and learned about acids and bases. After understanding the difference in acids and bases, they got to apply their learned information in a case of identifying mystery liquids. Using their observational skills, they first made a hypothesis of what the different liquids could be. Then they used the strips of Litmus Paper to identify each liquid as either acidic or basic, helping them finalize what the various liquids were.
Next, the learned about the application of acids and bases when they experimented which liquids made dull pennies become shiny the fastest. This experiment further showed them how the effects of acids and bases on metals and other substances differ from one another.
In the next experiment, the Balloon Experiment, the fifth graders were able to see the product of a chemical reaction and how it was created. By mixing an acid (vinegar) and a base (baking soda), the fifth graders were able to blow up a balloon! Through this experiment, they learned how a lot of chemical reactions occur with the mixing of an acid with a base.
Finally the fifth graders made play-dough as their take-home activity. They experimented with different colors and amounts of ingredients to get the perfect playdough. See their creations below!