CHEMISTRY IN THE KITCHEN

Craig, Marsha A.                        Everett Elementary    
                                        1-312-650-4550
                                                                         

OBJECTIVES:

1)  Students will be expected to take various substances and make their own chemical 
    reaction. 
2)  Students will be expected to recognize the forming of a chemical reaction and 
    record their findings. 
3)  Students will be able to understand the many properties and uses of carbon 
    dioxide. 

MATERIALS NEEDED:

50 mL bleach                           1 hot plate
50 mL vinegar                          1 teaspoon of sugar
2 tablespoons of pure baking soda      1 teaspoon of pure baking 
1 tablespoon of dish washing detergent   soda 
1 glass beaker                         1 tin can of piece of foil 
                                         folded
                                                       
1 glass beaker                           OPTIONAL 
2 cups of water                        box of pure baking soda
1 tablespoon of pure baking soda       small pyrex dish
2 to 5 drops of liquid dish washing    cooking oil (hot)
  detergent                            fire extinguisher
                                       baby bottle
                                       sealed nipple
                                       1 can of carbonated soda 

RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES:

1.  Review with the class the different gases found in the air.  Discuss and list 
    some of the properties of carbon dioxide.  Explain that pure baking soda 
    (bicarbonate of soda) can be used to produce carbon dioxide gas. 

2.  Divide class into three groups.  Give each group the materials needed for one 
    complete set up.  Each group will combine their substances one at a time until a 
    chemical reaction occurs.  One member will be responsible for recording the 
    reactions each time a substance is combine.  After each group has completed their 
    experiment, have one representative from each group display and discuss what they 
    saw occuring after adding each substance.  
 
3.  Demonstrate by placing a nipple over a baby bottle containing carbonated soda.  
    Gently shake bottle and have class observe how the nipple will expand. Explain 
    when the bottle was shaken the motion forced the carbon dioxide gas out of the 
    solution and the gas gradually inflated the nipple.  Further explain and discuss 
    how we depend on carbon dioxide gases when we prepare breads, cakes, and cookies.  
    Acquaint students with products like yeast and baking powder, and baking soda 
    which produce carbon dioxide gas needed to cause dough and batters to rise before 
    and during the baking process.  

4.  With the hot grease in pyrex dish start a grease fire. Explain how to extinguish 
    the fire using baking soda.  Emphasis should be placed on avoiding using water or 
    flour, but instead using baking soda or salt to extinguish fire. Elaborate that 
    baking soda is particularly effective in smothering the oil and cuts off oxygen.  
    Hot baking soda releases carbon dioxide and thus act like a tiny CO2 fire 
    extinguisher.