By: John Wass, Western Branch H.S., Chesapeake, VA
With the Hydrolysis of Salts Chemical Demonstration Kit Acids, teach students that certain salts dissolve in water to produce acid solutions and others produce basic solutions. Using universal indicator, show students a colorful pH rainbow.
Acids are acidic, bases are basic, and salts are neutral—right? Not exactly! Teach your students that certain salts dissolve in water to produce acid solutions and others produce basic solutions. Using universal indicator in Petri dishes displayed on the overhead projector, show your students a colorful pH rainbow—made from the simple hydrolysis of salts. Write and discuss the hydrolysis reactions for five different salts with water. A table of acid–base properties of common cations and anions in aqueous solutions is provided for your convenience. Teacher Demonstration Notes included.
Concepts: Acids and bases, pH, hydrolysis of salts. Time Required: 10 minutes Note: An overhead projector is recommended for this demonstration.
Correlation to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
Science & Engineering Practices
Developing and using models Constructing explanations and designing solutions
Disciplinary Core Ideas
MS-PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter MS-PS1.B: Chemical Reactions HS-PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter HS-PS1.B: Chemical Reactions
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Hydrolysis of Salts