Hydrochloric Acid Lesson Plans

Students investigate the chemical composition of pennies dated 1983 or later. In this chemical composition of American coins lesson plan, students scratch the surface of the penny to expose the zinc core. They put the penny in hydrochloric acid over night and observe their penny the next day. They write a balanced chemical reaction for their observations and answer questions about the make-up of the penny and the reaction that occurred.

Learners identify the elements that belong to the halogen family on the periodic table. In this chemistry lesson, students describe the common characteristics of elements in this group. They research about hydrochloric acid's effect on digestion and write a paper about it.

Students determine the molar volume of hydrogen gas. For this molar volume lesson plan, students find the molar volume of hydrogen produced in a reaction between magnesium and hydrochloric acid. They use a eudiometer to measure the volume of the gas and they compare their results to the same gas measured by water displacement. Students calculate their results and answer 4 conclusion questions the lab.

Students identify the halogens on the periodic table of the elements and describe their basic characteristics. They discuss the positive and negative effects that hydrochloric acid and other acidic materials have on the process of digestion. Students describe how the halogens react with hydrogen and how hydrochloric acid is formed.

Learners study the removal of Zinc from pennies. They separate the two metals in a post-1983 penny by inspecting the different reactivities of copper and zinc to hydrochloric acid.

Students conduct an experiment in which they react sodium bicarbonate with hydrochloric acid to determine the molar ration between the two reactants. Students must write correct formula and a balanced chemical equation and explain how it relates to their hypothesis.

The teacher models chemical erosion by putting hydrochloric acid on limestone in a controlled experiment. The students are then put into groups of three to experiment chemical erosion using chalk and vinegar. The students record their predictions and observations in a science journal.

Students describe the digestive system and simulate what happens to food as it passes through. They use an apple, tubing and hydrochloric acid to simulate the digestive process.

Students explore exothermic and endothermic reactions. In this ions lesson, students create a classroom calorimeter to measure energy of a reaction. Students measure the mass of the calorimeter and record it in a data table. Students also repeat the experiment described to perform the necessary calculations to complete the data table shown.

Eleventh graders work with a variety of solutions to determine which combinations will create a precipitate when mixed with another. They complete a chart with their predictions and results. When students finish the lab, they discuss the results and their successes and failures in predicting the precipitates.