The Nature of Chemistry
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    • The scientific method
    • Observation and inference
    • Evidence, modelling and prediction
    • Theories and paradigm shifts
    • Cause and effect
    • Accuracy, validity and reliability
    • Reason and imagination
    • Bias and the role of humans in science
    • Communication of science
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    • (IB TOK outline)
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    • Stoichiometry
    • Atomic structure
    • Periodicity
    • Chemical bonding and structure
    • Energetics
    • Chemical kinetics
    • Equilibrium
    • Acids and bases
    • Redox processes
    • Organic chemistry
    • Measurement and data processing
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Topic 8 and 18 - Acids and bases

Picture
(Cecil, 2015)

Activity 1 - Acid rain

Subtopic  8.5 - Acid deposition
Subtopic  3.2 - Acid/base character of the oxides
NOS statement 5.1 - An understanding of the nature of science is vital when society needs to make decisions involving scientific findings and issues.
Picture
(Vidal, 2010)
Time: 1 hour.
Task: At the beginning of 2016, London exceeded its yearly NO2 emission after just a week. The production and impact of these gases includes some reasonably complicated chemistry that may not be easily understood by many. Create a group poster/blog that explains the chemistry involved as simply as possible .
References:
Cecil, N. (2015). 'Oxford Street pollution levels breached EU annual limit just four. Evening Standard. Retrieved 17 January 2016, from http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/oxford-street-pollution-levels-breached-annual-limit-just-four-days-into-2015-9959849.html

Vidal, J. (2010). UK air pollution causes 50,000 early deaths a year, say MPs. the Guardian. Retrieved 17 January 2016, from http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/mar/22/air-pollution-deaths

Activity 2 - Theories of acids

Subtopic  8.1 - Theories of acids and bases
NOS statement 5.1 - The evidence is used to develop theories
Time: 5 min.
Task:
​a. Look at the different groups of "acids" below. Assume that the groups are ordered in chronological order of being classified as "acids". In each case decide what can be deduced about acids (using only their formulas) and which of the previous deductions can then be discarded.
A
HNO3
H2SO3
H3PO4
B
HCN
HCl
​HBr
C
​C5H6NH3+
HSO4-
D
​BF3
AlCl3
Extension: What is a "superacid"? LINK 1 LINK 2

Activity 3 - The importance of definitions in chemistry

Picture
Subtopic  8.1 - Theories of acids and bases
NOS statement 5.5 - Another key issue is the use of appropriate terminology. 
Time: 10 min.
Task​: The image to the left shows 7 different definitions of an acid. Use a Venn diagram to represent them.
  1. Which definition might seem unconnected to any others?
  2. Which might fit inside another definition?
  3. Which is the most general definition?
  4. Why is it we end up with different definitions describing the same knowledge?
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  • Home
  • Recent news
  • NOC
    • The scientific method
    • Observation and inference
    • Evidence, modelling and prediction
    • Theories and paradigm shifts
    • Cause and effect
    • Accuracy, validity and reliability
    • Reason and imagination
    • Bias and the role of humans in science
    • Communication of science
    • Contrasting with other areas of knowledge
    • (IB TOK outline)
  • Topics
    • Stoichiometry
    • Atomic structure
    • Periodicity
    • Chemical bonding and structure
    • Energetics
    • Chemical kinetics
    • Equilibrium
    • Acids and bases
    • Redox processes
    • Organic chemistry
    • Measurement and data processing
  • IB Options
    • A - Materials
    • B - Biochemistry
    • C - Energy
    • D - Medicinal chemistry
  • People
  • Answers
    • NOC answers
    • Topics answers