This paper describes a set of inquiry-based experiments designed to help students develop an understanding of basic chemical concepts within the framework of studying the properties and reactivity of metals and metal ions. The students perform these experiments before the concepts are discussed in class, with the emphasize on the construction of meaning from observation, measurement, and data analysis. The set includes: Are All Pennies the Same?, which introduces students to the differences between extensive and intensive quantities. How Much is Enough?, examines the quantitative aspects of the reaction between metals and hydrogen ions leading to the concept of the mole and stoichiometric calculations. How Much is Too Much?, which identifies and distinguishes between limiting reagents, excess reagents, spectator ions and reactant ions. What is an Active Metal?, provides the observations needed to sort common metals into an activity series and How Active are the Active Metals?, allows students to develop a quantitative model of metal activity.
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Citation
Lamba, Ram S.; Sharma, Shiva; Lloyd, Baird W. J. Chem. Educ.1997 74 1095.
Keywords
Curriculum, Laboratory, Electrochemistry, Metals, Redox Reactions, and Stoichiometry
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