NZASE Unit Standards: Level 1

Science Activity - Unit 20 Test version 1

Generic worksheet only

Unit Standard: 18986 version 2 - Select and use basic scientific equipment.

Element 1 Select and use basic scientific equipment.

Time allowed: No time limit. Covered throughout the year.

____________________________________________________________________
TEACHER NOTES:

This standard required students to use a minimum of six pieces of scientific

equipment correctly, accurately and in a safe and correct manner.

This standard can be assessed as part of a year's programme of work and

especially when any practical work is being undertaken. Part of this could be
assessed in conjunction with 21611, the experimental unit.

For moderation purposes the teacher needs to:

• record the task done when equipment is selected by students that
assesses against this standard. (1.1)
• keep a record of a students safe and correct usage. (1.2)
• Keep a record of student accuracy while using the equipment. (1.3)
• Be able to attest to the student's competence against this standard.

Evidence of this WILL be required by moderators.

Assessment schedule
(NOTE teacher to add evidence for the chosen pieces of equipment)

Element. Evidence Judgement

E 1 1.1 Student selects 6 items of
equipment appropriate to the task
Eg: Measuring cylinder, test tube,
conical flask, scales, balance,
Spatula, petrie dish.
E 1 1.2 Equipment operated in a safe and
correct manner
Eg: cleaning up spills, protective
gear.
E1 1.3 Equipment chosen was used
accurately.
Eg: accurate measurements,
accurate recording.
Must be achieved for 6
pieces of equipment.
Must be achieved for a
minimium of 6 pieces of
equipment
Must be achieved for a
minimium of 6 pieces of
equipment
NZASE Unit Standards Level 1
Science skills activity: Unit 21.
This activity assesses: Unit Standard 18986 version 2. Select and use
basic science equipment.
Antacid

Your stomach produces hydrochloric acid (HCl) to help digest food you have
eaten. Sometimes there may be too much acid produced. This can cause
“acid stomach” or indigestion.

Antacids are products sold to help people with indigestion. They work by
neutralizing acid in the stomach.

The aim of this exercise is to measure how much antacid powder is needed to
neutralize some hydrochloric acid. The acid is neutralizes when an indicator
(methyl orange) changes from red to yellow.

Equipment needed
250 mL flask 100 mL measuring cylindermethyl orange indicator
spatula petri dish balance
sheet of white paper pH paper / pH meter

Method
1. Place a spatula full of antacid powder into the petri dish.
2. Weigh the petri dish with the antacid powder. TEACHER CHECK.
Record the mass.
3. Use a measuring cylinder to measure 50 mL of hydrochloric acid (HCl).
TEACHER CHECK. Pour the HCl into a 250 mL flask.
4. Use pH paper/meter to estimate the pH of this solution. TEACHER
CHECK. Record your result.
5. Add 4 drops of methyl orange indicator to the flask.
6. Place the flask on a sheet of white paper.
Be careful to ensure no antacid powder or acid is spilled during the next step.
7. Add a small amount of antacid powder to the flask. Gently swirl the
flask to mix the contents. Repeat this until the colour in the flask
changes from red to orange. This colour change shows the acid has
been neutralized. TEACHER CHECK.
8. Weigh the petri dish with the remaining antacid powder. TEACHER
CHECK. Record the mass.
9. Clean your work space and equipment and put equipment away tidily.
Results and calculation

Mass (g)
A. Mass of petri dish and antacid at the
beginning :
B. Mass of petri dish and antacid that did not
react :
Mass of antacid used (A – B):

pH of acid solution = ____________

Questions
What is the pH of the final mixture? ____________ How do you know?

If you had begun with 100 mL of hydrochloric acid (and not 50 mL), what
mass of antacid powder would be needed to neutralize the acid?
 / 1.2 Safe and correct
Student name:
Antacid (Unit Standard 18986)
Assessment schedule and marking sheet

equipment / 1.1 Appropriate

1.3 Accurate measurement /

Method step Correct response

1. Selects spatula
Gets antacid Selects petri dish
sample Spatula used with antacid container near
petri dish, no spillage or spillage cleaned up
without delay
2. Selects balance
Use of Antacid in petri dish, balance zero checked
balance and/or adjusted.
Mass recorded accurately (+/- 2 of smallest
scale of an analog scale)
3. Selects measuring cylinder
Measuring Selects correct acid
cylinder Measuring cylinder vertical, eye level,
transfer to flask without spillage
Volume is correct (+/- 2mL)
4. Selects pH paper/pH meter
Measure pH Recorded pH is +/- 1 unit of teacher’s
measure
5. Adding Selects correct indicator.
indicator Uses transfer pipette/dropper
No spillage or spillage cleaned up
Appropriate amount
7. Spatula selected to transfer antacid
Neutralization Small quantities antacid (eg ¼ total or less)
No spillage of antacid powder
Flask swirled to mix without spillage
8. Selects balance
Use of Antacid in petri dish, balance zero checked
balance and/or adjusted.
Mass recorded accurately (+/- 2 of smallest
scale of an analog scale)
9. Cleaning cloth used as appropriate,
Clean up Equipment returned clean.
Judgement 6 6 6
Element 1.1 1.2 1.3
Teacher’s notes to “Antacid”

The intention with “antacid” is to provide an alternative to the generic

assessment also provided for 18986. This type of assessment could be
adapted for many “standard experiments” your class might normally do.

The activity could be included with Unit 6 (Chemical Reactions).

The task should be an individual activity, and students are observed using
apparatus. Thus the numbers of students working at one time will need to be
limited.

Student measurements are checked at various points. Teacher must

measure pH of acid solution and record this for moderation purposes. (If 0.1
molL-1 HCl is used, pH = 1).

Use diluted acids (about 0.1 molL-1).

Students should be in a situation where they have to choose from alternative

items of equipment (eg flask – beaker – test tube). Provide bottles of
alternative acids (eg sulfuric acid, nitric acid) and alternative indicators (eg
bromothymol blue). The student should be able to select the correct reagent.

The activity could also provide evidence for 21611 element 1.