With the Recycling Aluminum—Synthesis of Alum Chemistry Laboratory Kit, students perform a multi-step chemical reaction with aluminum foil. Students use dissolution, crystallization and filtering techniques to produce solid alum.
Produce something new—synthesize! Aluminum potassium sulfate (alum) is used for many different purposes—from pickling foods to aftershave for men. Students perform a multi-step chemical reaction starting with a common household ingredient—aluminum foil. Add potassium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, water and the techniques of dissolution, crystallization and filtering to produce solid alum. Students also calculate percent yield and perform a post-lab cost analysis.
Complete for 30 students working in pairs. Apparatus for gravity filtration and a full aspirator filtration assembly is required and available separately. Perform this experiment in a fume hood or well-ventilated lab.
Correlation to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
Science & Engineering Practices
Analyzing and interpreting data
Disciplinary Core Ideas
MS-PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter MS-PS1.B: Chemical Reactions MS-ESS3.A: Natural Resources MS-ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions HS-PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter HS-PS1.B: Chemical Reactions HS-ESS3.A: Natural Resources HS-ETS1.A: Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems
Crosscutting Concepts
Structure and function
Performance Expectations
HS-PS1-3: Plan and conduct an investigation to gather evidence to compare the structure of substances at the bulk scale to infer the strength of electrical forces between particles.