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King Saud University seeks to become a leader in educational and technological innovation, scientific discovery and creativity through fostering an atmosphere of intellectual inspiration and partnership for the prosperity of society.
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Acid-Base Solutions
How do strong and weak acids differ? Use lab tools on your computer to find out! Dip the paper or the probe into solution to measure the pH, or put in the electrodes to measure the conductivity. Then see how concentration and strength affect pH. Can a weak acid solution have the same pH as a strong acid solution?
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Teaching Resources
Main Topics
- Acids
- Bases
- Solutions
- Equilibrium
Sample Learning Goals
- Given acids or bases at the same concentration, demonstrate understanding of acid and base strength by: 1. Relating the strength of an acid or base to the extent to which it dissociates in water 2. Identifying all of the molecules and ions that are present in a given acid or base solution. 3.Comparing the relative concentrations of molecules and ions in weak versus strong acid (or base) solutions. 4.Describing the similarities and differences between strong acids and weak acids or strong bases and weak bases.
- Demonstrate understanding of solution concentration by: 1. Describing the similarities and differences between concentrated and dilute solutions. 2. Comparing the concentrations of all molecules and ions in concentrated versus dilute solutions of a particular acid or base.
- Use both the strength of the acid or base and the concentration of its solution in order to:1. Describe in words and pictures (graphs or molecular drawings) what it means if you have a: Concentrated solution of a weak acid (or base) or Concentrated solution of a strong acid (or base) or other combinations. 2. Investigate different combinations of strength/concentrations that result in same pH values.
- Describe how common tools (pH meter, conductivity, pH paper) help identify whether a solution is an acid or base and strong or weak and concentrated or dilute.
Tips for Teachers
The teacher's guide (pdf) contains tips created by the PhET team.
Teaching Ideas
| Title | Authors | Level | Type | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Using PhET in High School Chemistry- all my activities in pdf
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Trish Loeblein | UG-Intro HS |
Lab CQs Demo HW |
10/27/11 |
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Acid Base Solutions - Concentration and Strength
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Patricia Loeblein | UG-Intro HS |
HW Lab CQs |
7/30/11 |
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Strong and Weak Acids
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Kelly Lancaster, Laurie Langdon | UG-Intro HS |
CQs Lab HW |
12/29/10 |
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Concept Questions for Chemistry using PhET
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Trish Loeblein | MS UG-Intro HS |
CQs | 2/19/12 |
| Acid-Base Discovery (ICP/Physical Science Level) | S. Mitchell | HS | Lab | 11/19/10 |
| Intro to Strong and Weak Acids and Bases | Chris Bires | MS HS |
Lab | 5/17/11 |
You can submit your own ideas and activities.
Translated Versions:
Software Requirements
| Windows | Macintosh | Linux |
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Microsoft Windows
XP/Vista/7 Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later |
OS 10.5 or later
Sun Java 1.5.0_19 or later |
Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later |
Credits
| Design Team | Third-party Libraries | Thanks To |
|---|---|---|
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