What's in the Water

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"What's in the Water" lets participants use tools to solve the mystery- what chemicals and compounds are in a sample of water? By investigating with a variety of tools and techniques, learners understand how chemistry can help us explore, understand, and solve problems. Activity includes a facilitation guide with potential misconceptions, relevant science infosheets with real-world connections, table sign, and activity training video. All public-facing materials also available in Spanish.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
Over $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 6 - adult
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity
Language:
English, Spanish

Materials List (per group of students)

  • Citric acid (for sample A preparation)
  • Salt (for sample B preparation)
  • Warm water (to prepare samples)
  • 1/2 teaspoon (to prepare samples)
  • 3 250-milliliter beakers (labeled A, B, C)
  • 3 1-milliliter pipettes (labeled A, B, C)
  • pH paper (2 strips per participant)
  • Refractometer
  • Digital thermometer
  • pH scale graphic
  • Pencils
  • Tray to hold the samples
  • Microfiber cloth (or paper towels)
  • Waste container (to dump sample C)
  • Marker and labels

Keywords

Subjects

  • Physical Sciences
    • Heat and Thermodynamics
      • Heat and Temperature
    • Chemistry
      • Chemical Reactions
      • Acids and Bases
      • Chemistry of Life

Informal Categories

  • Nature and Environment

Audience

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Foreign language versions of this resource:

Components that are part of this resource:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

Funding Source:

  • National Science Foundation, DRL 1612482