A lesson planning resource for Key Stage 3 chemistry lessons on investigating colour change and indicators, including ideas for fun experiments using alkalis and acids.
Chemistry teacher Paul Grooby begins the Year 7 lesson with a starter demonstration, adding potassium permanganate to a series of glasses containing different reagents, to start a chemical reaction and get a colour change.
Paul then demonstrates the effect of universal indicator before setting the class the challenge of creating three different solutions.
Using different acids and alkalis, along with universal indicator, the students are given the tasks of creating three solutions the colour of traffic lights, using a trial and improvement methodology to get the right colours.
Paul finds that all students are able to create a red and green colour but creating the orange solutions test even the most able students.
