Thermochemical Analysis of Neutralization Reactions: An Introductory Discovery Experiment

摘要

A guided-inquiry laboratory pedagogy called Discovery Chemistry, in which students discover chemical concepts in the lab and the instructor uses their pooled data to guide the lecture portion of the course, was developed by this chemistry department. A Discovery Chemistry experiment that reinforces the students' understanding of stoichiometry and allows them to discover neutralization reactions and thermochemistry is described. This experiment examines the neutralization of citric acid, lactic acid, and oxalic acid by sodium hydroxide. The comparison of the three acids facilitates the pooling of data and the ability to include testable hypotheses in pre- and post-laboratory discussions, key components of the Discovery process.