Activity Template
Subject Area(s)
Chemistry
Associated Unit
Acids and Bases
Associated Lesson
Activity Title
Acid Base Webquest
Header
Image 1
Grade Level (10-12)
Activity Dependency None
Time Required 45-60 minutes
Group Size 2
Expendable Cost per Group US $0
Summary
Engineering Connection
Chemical and Environmental Engineers are routinely involved in environmental
decisions such as assessing different chemicals’ effects on the surrounding
environment. Engineers in general are also heavily involved in finding areas where
cost-reduction can be obtained. One example is determining the most cost-effective
way of disposing of a chemical. Chemical engineers also use the properties of
chemicals involved in reactions to design more useful forms of the chemicals.
Engineering Category
Choose the category that best describes this activity’s amount/depth of engineering content:
(1) relates science concept to engineering
Keywords Acid, Base, Neutral, pH, Indicator, Titration
Educational Standards
State science: ACOS: Grade 9-12, Chemistry Standard 4.3:
Describe acids and bases in terms of strength, concentration, pH, and neutralization reactions.
1
Pre-Requisite Knowledge
Prior to this lesson, students should have a basic understanding of the following:
 Physical
and chemical properties of matter.
search the internet for information.
 Ability to
Learning Objectives
After this activity, students should be able to:

Differentiate between acids and bases according to physical and chemical
properties.

Understand how an acid/base indicator is used to determine the acidity of a
solution.
Materials List
Each group needs:
 Computers with internet access
Introduction / Motivation
Energy is a major concern in today’s society. Nuclear energy is a viable consideration for
cleaner energy sources. Therefore, students should be familiarized with the basics of radiation
and how it relates to energy production and its associated benefits and hazards.
Vocabulary / Definitions
Word
Definition
Acid
a compound usually having a sour taste and capable of neutralizing alkalis and
reddening blue litmus paper
Base
compounds whose aqueous solutions are characterized by a bitter taste, a
slippery feel, the ability to turn litmus blue, and the ability to react with acids
to form salts
Neutralizatio A reaction between an acid and a base that yields a salt and water.
n
pH
A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, numerically equal to 7 for
neutral solutions, increasing with increasing alkalinity and decreasing with
increasing acidity. The pH scale commonly in use ranges from 0 to 14.
Indicator
Titration
a substance, as litmus, that indicates the presence or concentration of a certain
constituent.
the determination of what materials are present in a sample by adding precise
amounts of known chemicals and observing the chemical reaction.
Procedure
Have students complete following Webquest:
Acids and Bases Webquest
2
A.
Acids and Bases Introduction:
Go to the Chem4Kids.com and read about acids and bases. You will find this section under
Reactions.

Answer the following questions on your worksheet.
1. What is an acid? What is a base?
2. How do scientists measure the strength of acids and bases? Describe this scale.
B. Examples of acids and bases:
Go to the VisionLearning Website and look at the page on acids and bases under Chemistry.

Answer the questions below on your worksheet.
3. Describe the physical properties such as taste and feel of acids and bases.
4. Give 3 examples of acids and 3 examples of bases from the pH Scale on the site.
C. Acid/Base Neutralization:

Go to the GEMS Alien Juice Bar Website and complete the 3 challenges. When
you are done with one challenge, click on the “Main Menu” Button to go to
complete another challenge.

Answer question 5 on your worksheet
5. How do you neutralize an acid? A base?

Go to the Teacher’s Domain website.

Type in BuildingAlabama for username

Type in BuildingAlabama for the password

Type “Acids and Bases: Cabbage Juice Indicator” in the search and click on
“View” to watch the video.
6. Name a base that you could use to neutralize an acid.
7. What is an acid base indicator? Give an example used during the video.
D. Reflection Questions
1. What did you already know about acids and bases before you began the webquest?
2. What were two things that you learned about acids and bases from the webquest?
3. What is one question you still have about acids and bases?
Attachments
1. Student Worksheet
2. Teacher’s Notes

Safety Issues
None
Troubleshooting Tips
Teacher should be sure that computers and Internet access are working properly prior to
class
Investigating Questions
Assessment
Webquest Answers and post activity discussion.
Activity Scaling
3


For lower grades, ___?
For upper grades, ___?
Additional Multimedia Support
References
The Acid/ Base Webquest was adapted from an Acid/Base Webquest written by Courtney Lewis.
The website for this webquest is
http://www2.mpsaz.org/stapley/staff/clewis/assignments/files/acids_and_bases_webquest.pdf
The Alien Juice Bar was created by Science VIEW for GEMS. See website for further credits.
Other
Redirect URL
Owner
Contributors Beth Sherrill, Karen Garrison, Felecia Briggins, Brett Gunter
Copyright
Version: January 2009
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