Lesson at a Glance | He Tirohanga Whakamua
Ngā Whāinga Ako | Learning Intentions
Students will know
- That Carboxylic Acids () are weak acids that donate in water, turning blue litmus red and producing gas bubbles with hydrogen carbonate ().
- That Amines () are weak bases that accept in water, turning red litmus blue and possessing a distinct fishy odour.
- How carboxylic acids and amines undergo neutralization reactions to form soluble organic salts.
Students will demonstrate
- By writing balanced molecular equations for acid-carbonate and acid-base reactions.
- By completing Section 8 of their Level 2 Organic Chemistry Mastery Portfolio.
Curriculum alignment
- NZC (2007) · Science · Level 7 · Material World: “Investigate and measure the chemical and physical properties of a range of groups of substances, for example, acids and bases, oxidants and reductants, and selected organic and inorganic compounds.”
Do Now | Tīmatanga Whakaaro (10 min)
Baking Soda Fizz Prompt:
"When you pour household vinegar (ethanoic acid) onto baking soda (), it fizzes vigorously. If you pour ethanol onto baking soda, nothing happens. Why?"
Unpack: Ethanoic acid () is an acid; it reacts with hydrogen carbonate ions () to produce carbon dioxide gas ( bubbles), water, and sodium ethanoate salt. Ethanol () is neutral and cannot react with carbonates!
Acid-Base Comparison Matrix (30 min)
- Litmus Test: Blue litmus turns RED.
- Carbonate Test: Vigorous effervescence.
- Odour: Sharp, vinegary smell.
- Equation: .
- Litmus Test: Red litmus turns BLUE.
- Carbonate Test: No reaction (no fizz).
- Odour: Fishy, ammonia-like smell.
- Equation: (methylammonium chloride).
📁 Organic Chemistry Portfolio — Section 8: Acid-Base Diagnostic Guide
Students open their Level 2 Chemistry Portfolio and complete Section 8:
Section 8 Requirements:
1. Litmus & Carbonate Diagnostic Table: Observations for 6 unlabelled liquids (hexane, hex-1-ene, propan-1-ol, ethanoic acid, propan-1-amine, 1-chloropropane) with red litmus, blue litmus, and .
2. Balanced Chemical Equations: Write full structural equations for: 1) Propanoic acid , and 2) Ethanamine .
3. Excellence Neutralisation Rationale: 1-paragraph explanation of the neutralisation reaction between ethanoic acid and ethanamine forming ethylammonium ethanoate salt.
Exit Verification | Ka Mutu Hoki (5 min)
Exit Check:
"My Section 8 correctly identifies NaHCO₃ effervescence as the unique diagnostic test for carboxylic acids."
Teacher Planning & NCEA Alignment
NCEA Level 2 Chemistry Alignment (4 Credits External):
- Acid-Base Chemistry: Demonstrate understanding of weak acid properties of carboxylic acids and weak base properties of amines.
- Qualitative Identification: Use litmus paper, , and odour to identify functional groups.
Vocabulary: Carboxylic acid, amine, weak acid, weak base, litmus test, effervescence, , neutralisation, alkylammonium salt.
Other teaching approach: Guided Viewing & Practical Chemistry →