Labs for Household Chemicals

Since I just posted about budget chemicals and equipment, I wanted to include labs.  Here you go!

Nomenclature: 

1. List household chemicals and add their chemical name and formula: table salt, baking soda, baking powder, vinegar, Driveway Heat, citric acid, cream of tartar, iodine, bleach, rubbing alcohol, peroxide, ammonia, sugar, alum, Draino, Tums, chalk, Epsom salts, and Milk of Magnesia. Flinn’s Common Chemical Names has many names and formulas for household chemicals.
2. Here Is more of a formal, chemical,  nomenclature lab worksheet.
3. ACS has the Chemical Name Game; Flinn has Putting the Ions in their Hands.  Have the kids identify the formulas for three, common, household chemicals, such as NaCl, MgSO4, or NaOCl. (Salt, Epsom salts,and bleach)
4. Here Is a YouTube video about writing ion formulas.
5. The Ions’ Formulas Lab uses widely available chemicals.  

Chemical vs Physical Reactions: Household Chemistry and Kool-aid Concentration

Dilution of Kool-aid Video

Qualitative Analysis: What is that white powder? and Analysis and Identification by Qualitative Analysis both start with known, white powders, test them, and use the information to identify unknown white powders. 

Acids and Bases: Acids and Bases tests several household chemicals with pH paper.  Another household lab is Color Changers.  Make Indicator Paper.

Precipitates: ACS Middle School has Forming a Precipitate with lessons, video, demos, and labs, all using household chemicals such as peroxide, Epsom salts, ammonia, etc.  Two uncommon chemicals are CuCl2 and CaCl2.  Copper sulfate can be used in place of Copper chloride. 

Chemical Reactions

1. Chemicals in Everyday Life
2. Reaction in a Bag and Video
3. Chemical Change 

Flame Tests: Beyond