Acids and bases

Classroom resources from our Acids and Bases professional development course for teachers

This collection is most valuable to those who have attended this course and wish to put into practice with their students some of the ideas and activities presented as part of that event. Please note that this list is not exhaustive; not all trainer activities have a corresponding classroom resource. In some circumstances there is variation between the training resource and classroom resource.

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Universal indicator ‘rainbow’

In association with

Try this demonstration to create a rainbow effect using universal indicator, hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Chromatography spread image

Neutralisation circles

Support students to explore neutralisation circles in this experiment that can be performed with common chemistry classroom equipment. Kit list and safety instructions included. 

A circular plastic chart with the different possible colours of universal indicator, used for determining the pH of a solution

Testing the pH of oxides

In association with

Use this class practical to investigate the pH of different metal and non-metal oxides using a universal indicator. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

A close-up image of bubbles in fizzy water

Equilibria involving carbon dioxide in aqueous solution

In association with

Use this demonstration or class practical to illustrate changes to equilibria in carbonated soda water. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

A glass thermometer resting in a glass conical flask in a laboratory setting

A thermometric titration

In association with

Use this class practical to practise locating end-points in titration by measuring temperature during the reaction. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

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Chemical misconceptions II: Acid strength

Learn more about acid solutions, and distinguishing between concentration and strength.

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Universal indicators

This activity develops understanding of universal indicators and single indicators. The students build up their understanding by mixing two indicators. They also develop an awareness that the observed colour may be due to a mixture of colours.

Aqueous solutions of red potassium dichromate and yellow potassium chromate in glass jars

A chromate–dichromate equilibrium

In association with

Try this class practical to investigate an equilibrium between chromate(VI), dichromate(VI) and hydrogen ions. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

A variety of glassware and containers of sodium hydroxide and phenolphthalein indicator in a laboratory

A microscale acid–base titration

In association with

Use microscale titration to complete an acid–base neutralisation with sodium hydroxide in this class practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

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pH scale basics simulation

In association with

Explore the basics of pH using this simulation. Add a variety of common solutions, modify the concentration and see the effects on pH.

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pH scale advanced simulation

In association with

Use this advanced pH simulator to view, modify, and visualise solutions with different ion ratios. Explore macroscopic, microscopic, and custom views.

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Acid-base solutions simulation

In association with

Explore the basics of pH with this simulation. Add a variety of common solutions and modify the concentrations to see the effect on pH.