Chemical Reactions: Budget Version

You can do fun labs with household chemicals.  One of the best sources for safe and frugal chemical reactions is here, a unit from ACS designed for Middle School teachers.  The module has lessons, videos, experiments, lab worksheets, and Student Reading lessons.  Before you tackle Module 5 in Apologia Chemistry, run through these reactions with your teen.  Here is the complete list of materials needed to perform all of the experiments.  Cream of tartar is in the spice aisle at your grocery.  Usually citric acid is also among spices.  Sometimes it is located  with canning supplies.  Home Science Tools sells copper II sulfate and universal indicator.  Magnesium sulfate is Epsom salts and calcium chloride is Driveway Heat.  Don’t buy commercial hand warmers or instant cold packs.   Instead, just do the experiments.   Look at the list and send your kids on a scavenger hunt to locate the supplies you already have around the house.