Innovating Science® Exothermic Reactions

Study the process of exothermic reactions.

• Students will pass a bag around with an exothermic reaction occurring and feel the result of the reaction.
• Aligned to NGSS Practices
• Performance expectations: MS-PS1-2, HS-PS1-4, HS-PS3-2
• Disciplinary core ideas: PS1.A, PS1.B, PS3.A
• Cross cutting concepts include energy and matter. Structure and function, patterns
• Engineering practices include developing and using models, analyzing and interpreting data, obtaining evaluating and communicating information

Allow students to see how chemistry can be used in a beneficial manner. Most students are probably familiar with heat packs, or hand warmers. Utilizing the release of chemical energy, these self-contained exothermic reactions are quite useful in cold environments.

In this activity, students will first investigate the temperature change of an exothermic reaction and then examine how the oxidation of iron, in a process similar to rusting, can be used to create the little bags of heat used to keep hands and feet warm. The kit contains enough materials for 15 groups. Teacher's Manual and Student Study Guide copymasters are included.

Delivery information: Kit includes instructional manual and SDS booklet.