Inquiry-based approach to solubility equilibria

CHED 429

Kristen L. Cacciatore, Kristen.Cacciatore@umb.edu1, Jose Amado, amado.ze@gmail.com1, Jason Evans, jason.evans@umb.edu1, and Hannah Sevian, hannah.sevian@umb.edu2. (1) Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125, (2) Departments of Education and Chemistry, W-4-181, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125
We outline a novel experiment designed for general chemistry which addresses solubility and periodicity concepts. The experimental procedure is straightforward -- students titrate three group II metal hydroxides to determine their respective Ksp values and then determine the periodic trend in solubility. The experiment gives students the opportunity to make discoveries on their own and to effectively communicate with other students in the class by giving each student group one of three "mock" lab reports instead of a standard pre-laboratory handout and procedure. Another unusual feature of the experiment is the incorporation of principles of green chemistry. The experiment is accompanied by an instructor's guide that provides background information, teaching tips, and a grading rubric. Finally, we describe how this experiment is being used as part of a study of student learning in the chemistry laboratory at our institution.
 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Chemical Education
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 233rd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 25-29, 2007