Easy Chemical Reactions to Do in Class
These chemical reaction experiments are some of my favorite science activities for middle school.
When you hear the term chemical reaction, do you visualize something exploding? Most of us do. But not all reactions are that noticeable.
We're actually surrounded by chemical change every day without thinking about it. Transformations like rust, a match lighting, yeast in bread, or silver tarnishing.
One of the best parts of teaching science at home is the fact that we get to add in as many experiments as we want. It's important to schedule experiments into your lesson plans because when science is interactive, kids have an easier time understanding the material.
During our chemistry studies, we learned about different reactions by completing a bunch of fun hands-on projects like the ones listed below.
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Scientific Method
Grab this free scientific method worksheet to help your tweens learn even more while completing their chemistry experiments.
Chemical Reaction Experiments
So what exactly is a chemical reaction? It is when a chemical change occurs. The substances you start with react together and form something different. The reactants create a product. Bonds keeping atoms together are either broken or formed to create new molecules.
How do you know a chemical change has occurred? Look out for:
- vaporization (production of gas)
- precipitation (creation of a solid)
- change in color
- change in temperature
- change in properties
In our science co-op, we learned about four types of reactions.
Synthesis
- This is the simplest type of chemical reaction. It's when two or more reactants are combined to create a more complex product.
- A + B → AB
Decomposition
- Decomposition is when a compound is broken down into its separate parts.
- AB → A + B
Single replacement
- This occurs when an element's place in a compound is taken by another element.
- A + BC → AC + B
Double replacement
- In a double replacement, the ions in compounds are switched, creating a new compound.
- AB + CD → AD + CB
One of the tools I've been using to teach my homeschoolers about chemical reactions is Amazing Kitchen Chemistry Projects You Can Build Yourself. It's full of fun hands-on activities that have been a blast to work through.
Simple Chemical Reaction Lab
This is an extremely popular experiment that seems quite simple, but when you add in scientific questions, it makes it perfect for a middle school science lesson.
You'll need:
- a balloon
- plastic bottle
- vinegar
- baking soda
Questions for tweens to answer before you begin:
- How can you use these materials to create a reaction?
- What do you think will happen?
Inflating a Balloon with a Chemical Reaction
- Using the funnel, add 3 TBSP of vinegar into the bottle.
- Dry off the funnel or grab a new one.
- Put the funnel into the balloon and add 1 tsp of baking soda into the balloon. Shake it so all the baking soda falls into the large part of the balloon.
- Pull out the funnel.
- Carefully, stretch the balloon over the bottle opening, making sure that the baking soda remains in the balloon.
- Lift up the balloon, letting the baking soda fall into the vinegar and watch the balloon inflate!
Questions for tweens to answer during and after the experiment:
- What type of change took place?
- How long did it take for the reaction to occur?
- What happened?
- How long did the reaction continue?
- What forms of matter did you observe during the experiment?
- Why do baking soda and vinegar react when combined?
- What is the chemical equation for this reaction?
Chemical Change Experiments for Middle School
There are a number of activities you can do to physically show that a chemical change has occurred. Add a couple of these to your science lessons to help your middle schooler understand the science behind chemical reactions.
Elephant Toothpaste
Kids get a kick out of seeing how hydrogen peroxide can be used to create something that oozes everywhere with this elephant toothpaste experiment.
Grow Crystals
Use borax and pipe cleaners to grow your own crystals. While this shows you how to make crystal ornaments, you can actually make anything you'd like, just shape it from the pipe cleaner.
Foam Cup Meltdown
Show your kids how a foam cup melts when it comes in contact with acetone.
Make Your Own Lava Lamp
Making your own lava lamp isn't just a cool DIY project for tweens. It's also a fun science experiment.
Penny Chemistry
Tarnish some pennies to see how the copper reacts to oxygen and clean others to view how hydrogen chloride works with sodium acetate. Pretty cool penny chemistry.
Volcano Science
Who doesn't love volcano science? Show tweens how combining vinegar and baking soda can make a cool volcanic eruption.
Impressive Chemical Reactions
Check out 27 of the most impressive chemical reactions. Prepare to be amazed!
As you can see, there are a wide variety of safe and fun experiments you can do at home with your older kids to help them learn about chemical change as part of their chemistry studies.
More Middle School Chemistry Experiments
- Perform some density experiments with your tweens.
- Use this worksheet to help you when you learn about acids and bases in your homeschool.
- Make science yummy by teaching kids how to build atoms with candy.
Tools for Teaching Chemistry
- For chemical reaction experiments you can do at home, use Amazing Kitchen Chemistry Projects You Can Build Yourself.
- Chemistry for Every Kid includes 101 different experiments that are perfect for homeschoolers.
- Use this Stir-It-Up Chemistry Lab for some easy chemical change experiments you can do in your kitchen.
- If you'd rather not build your own volcano, use this volcano kit to teach your tween about chemical reactions.
What are your favorite chemical reaction experiments for middle school?
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I love homeschooling! Learning is a way of life for our family. Most days you will find us exploring our Central Florida community, having fun while learning. I am constantly looking for new and interactive ways to engage my older children.
Source: https://educationpossible.com/middle-school-chemistry-chemical-reactions/
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