Investigating catalysts and what sank the Kursk

A photograph of the inside of a torpedo tube on a submarine.

Source: © Getty Images

Discover experiments, investigative report writing and other activities for 11–16 year olds to explore catalysts in the context of the Kursk submarine sinking.

In this set of activities, students learn about catalysts and their effects on chemical reactions while investigating what happened to the Kursk submarine. Suitable for 11–16 year olds, the resources draw on contemporary sources for context and feature activities ranging from practical experiments to investigative exercises and report writing. Motivate and engage your students while exploring:

Key events and evidence about the sinking of the Kursk submarine
The properties and uses of hydrogen peroxide
The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide
How catalysts affect reaction rates

Each activity includes instructions for students, as well as editable worksheets and resources available for download.

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