This Physical Science module explores chemical reactions: the conditions under which they occur, the evidence of a chemical reaction, limiting reactants versus reactants in excess, and when chemical reactions stop. The chemical reaction simulated in the base model is that of Silver Nitrate and Copper. The goal is to run experiments with different amounts of reactants and predict the amount of product formed. Students use, modify and customize an agent-based model of a chemical reaction and experiment with factors that impact the rate of a chemical reaction.

Prerequisites and assumptions:
This Physical Science module offers some disciplinary core concepts through direct instruction and activities but assumes the students are familiar with concepts such as what are atoms and ions, and what is evidence of a chemical reaction. Students are also to be familiar with solids dissolving in water; the concepts of single replacement (displacement) and double replacement reactions; and balancing equations.


Here's a video introduction to the Chemical Reactions Module

Lesson 1: Introduction to Chemical Reactions

In this lesson students will learn to recognize the changes that are characteristic of a chemical reaction. They will learn about the properties of ions in solution. They will observe a real-world example of a reaction that will become the basis in subsequent lessons of a “virtual lab” computer model. Finally, students will be introduced to the base model that is provided in this module.

Lesson 2: Modeling Chemical Reactions

In this lesson students will explore the role of reactants in a chemical reaction. Discussion will be closely tied to the example reaction modeled. Emphasis is placed on concept of limiting reactant and reactants in excess. Students will make some modifications to the model and run experiments to determine the consequences of varying the quantities of reactants.

Lesson 3: Products of Chemical Reactions

In this lesson students will engage in discussion on the reactants and products of a chemical reaction. Emphasis is on balancing chemical equations, the amounts of reactants used up and products formed. Focus will be on the products and the observation of the atomic rationale for conservation of mass.  

Lesson 4: Complex Ions in Solution

In this lesson students will engage in discussion on the ionic equations and formation of complex ions. Students will discover the underlying chemical cause of the emergent blue hue that develops in the physically demonstrated silver nitrate/copper reaction. Emphasis is on the complex ion Cu(II).3H2O or simply hydrated copper ion complex. Students will add instrumentation to the model and run experiments to determine the impact of the availability of reactants on the rate of chemical reaction.

Lesson 5: Factors that impact the Rate of a Chemical Reaction

In this lesson students will make modifications to the model and run experiments to examine the effect of temperature on the rate of a chemical reaction.