Soap

Edit Experiment

VIDEO LINKS:

Lab Experiments (Write protocols based on the videos then complete your protocols as you perform experiments in class):

  1. Making Soap
  2. Testing the Soap

Data analysis and calculations (Use these if you need help with your data and calculations)

Soap

Experimental Protocol

(Analysis) Write out the protocol for each part of the experiment.  (It can be written in sequential steps.  Complete sentences are not necessary.)  This is the protocol you follow, so be detailed.

Chemical Table

(Representation) Prepare your chemical table including the materials you use in the experiment.  Here is a general template that you may use.
Chemical Name Chemical Formula Molar Mass (g/mol) Hazards Reference PPE
Sodium Chloride NaCl 58.5 Skin irritation https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/21105.htm  
           
           
           

Equipment Table

(Analysis) Identify the equipment (type AND size) needed for the experiment and include the name and an image (picture) of each.  Be sure to describe the equipment, how to use it, and why it is suitable for this use.
Equipment Name Equipment Picture Intended Purpose

Data Collection

(Acquiring competencies) Following your detailed protocol, perform all the experiments. Record your observations and take pictures of your key steps in the process. Your observations and images need to be incorporated in your data section and this section should be as detailed as possible as you will use this information to complete your discussion.
Reactants Initial amounts Trial 1 Initial amount Trial 2
NaOH
DI water
Ethanol
Oil type
 
Test Observations Bubble layer height (cm)
DI water
Tap Water
CaCl2 solution
Test the pH of the soap DI water solution using pH paper. __________________

Data Processing

  1. (Representation) Write the balanced chemical reaction for the formation of soap.
  2. (Analysis) Classify the reagents for all the reactions.
  3. (Analysis) Classify the reaction types for all the reactions.
  4. (Lab skills) Identify a method for standardizing the bubble height comparison.
  5. (Analysis) Identify the pH of your soap. Classify the soap as an acid, base or neutral material.
  6. (Assumptions) Fill in the following table using the data and observations from your experiment:
Assumptions made Testing the assumption If assumptions are wrong ...
The distilled water is pure Evaporate it and check for residue The density would change depending on the density of the contaminant.
Any oil will form soap Run the reaction on many different oils

Discussion

Write a minimum one-page (12 font, single spaced) discussion on the experiment conducted this week.  The assignment will be graded on completeness, clarity of the explanations and the meaningful integration of the collected and calculated data. Correct grammar and appropriate format for the chemical formulae and chemical reactions is expected. You may use the outline included at the end of this document on how to build your essay to address each category.  
  1. (Existing knowledge, research, and views) Define saponification.
  2. (Lab skills) Provide a supported argument for using a sand bath instead of a hot plate or Bunsen burner.
  3. (Analysis) Propose the result if your soap is left exposed to the air.
  4. (Existing knowledge, research, and views) Define hard water.
  5. (Lab skills) Provide a supported argument to identify water as hard.
  6. (Existing knowledge, research, and views) Define tap water.
  7. (Existing knowledge, research, and views) Define deionized water.
  8. (Existing knowledge, research, and views) Define distilled water.
  9. (Analysis) Describe the differences between distilled, deionized, tap and hard water.
  10. (Analysis) Provide a supported argument for using bubble height to evaluate water purity.
  11. (Analysis) Provide a supported argument for the type of water that would produce the most bubbles with soap.
  12. (Existing knowledge, research, and views) Define a micelle.
  13. (Analysis) Describe the role of soap in cleaning.
  14. (Analysis) Provide a supported argument for which type of water would be the best for cleaning.
  15. (Experimental design) Describe another experiment that you wish you would have done with soap.
  16. (Analysis) At craft shows people often advertise that their soap is made without lye. Evaluate this statement in view of the current experiment.

Recommended Discussion Outline:

The concepts I used in this experiment were… The most important aspect of this experiment was… The purpose of the experiment was (Hint: it was not to make soap) … By performing this experiment, I learned…