Unit 9: Kinetics and Gases

Unit 9 introduces kinetics and looks at how molecular motion affects gases. Students learn about collision theory and reaction rates. The teacher demonstrates how substances react with each other, using an antacid tablet immersed in water. The students design their own antacid tablet experiment to determine which conditions create the fastest rate of reaction.

Students discuss their hypotheses about altering the rates of reaction in a dissolving antacid tablet and conduct their experiments, using variables to determine if their assumptions hold true.

Students share their data and draw conclusions from the antacid tablet experiments and learn how catalysts affect reaction rates. The teacher discusses the behavior of gases at the macro and molecular level.

The host describes the different properties of gases and the components of Kinetic Molecular Theory. Students are asked to make predictions about what will happen during demonstrations with gases using a balloon and marshmallow, applying the concepts of ideal gas law. They are asked to create a model demonstrating what happened at the molecular level.

This segment dives further into the ideal gas law. It includes the students and teacher discussing the models the student made in segment D to demonstrate the relationship between pressure and volume in gases. The teacher gives the students an engineering and design challenge: create a safe model of an airbag using what they have learned about the behavior of gases.

Students discuss the calculations and procedures they need for the model air bag experiment and begin making their models and recording their findings.

Students review and discuss the results from their model airbag experiment. Our host speaks with Lea Merriwether, water quality technician at Georgia Aquarium, to discuss how gas levels affect water quality.