You probably know by now that a ‘chemical reaction’ is simply the breaking apart of substances to form new substances. Energy is required to break down substances, and it is released when new substances are formed. ‘Heat’ is most often released when a chemical reaction takes place, but with ‘endothermic reactions’, heat is absorbed and the reaction gets colder as you will see in the following science experiment:
Topics covered
Chemical reaction, Exothermic reaction, Endothermic reaction, Sodium thiosulfate
What will I need?
ZIPLOC PLASTIC BAGS
SODIUM THIOSULFATE (PHOTOGRAPH HYPO)
SAFETY GLASSES
TAP WATER
MEASURING CUP
ADULT HELPER
Procedure (Method)
Unfortunately, this section is only available in the e-book version of the project.
How does it work?
Unfortunately, this section is only available in the e-book version of the project.
You have created your own ‘cold pack’ in this science experiment. This is an example of an endothermic reaction, a type of chemical reaction that absorbs heat, a type of energy, from its surroundings. The ‘sodium thiosulfate’ crystals require energy to dissolve and they take the heat or ‘energy’ out of the water. The water loses heat in the process and its temperature decreases.
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