Temperature and Chemical Reactions Lab

Looking for an easy, hands-on way to help students explore reaction rates and connect chemistry to real-life biology? The Chemical Reaction Rate Lab gets students up and moving as they investigate how temperature affects the speed of a chemical reaction using materials as simple as vinegar and baking soda.

Why Your Students Will Love This Lab:

• Student-Driven & Inquiry-Based – They’ll design their own experiments and test how temperature impacts the speed of reactions.
• Real-World Connections – Links chemistry and biology by highlighting how temperature affects enzymatic reactions in living things.
• Data-Driven Thinking – Students collect and analyze data, look for patterns, and draw evidence-based conclusions.
• Collaborative & Engaging – Great for building teamwork and scientific reasoning in a lab setting.

What’s Included:

• Student Lab Instructions – Easy-to-follow directions for designing and conducting the experiment.
• Instructor Answer Key – Includes sample data and guiding questions to support learning and assessment.

Suggested Materials:

• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• 3 Beakers (250 mL)
• Ice cubes
• Hot plate or container with hot water
• Graduated cylinder (50 mL)
• Thermometers
• Stopwatch or timer
• Stirring rods
• Heat-resistant gloves
• Goggles

How It Works:

Students test the same chemical reaction (vinegar + baking soda) at different temperatures—cold, room temp, and warm—and measure how long it takes to complete. They design their own procedure, run trials, and compare reaction rates to uncover how temperature affects molecular movement and chemical processes.

Teacher Tip:

This lab is a great intro to experimental design and scientific variables—encourage students to make predictions and explain why they think temperature matters. It also makes an awesome tie-in to units on metabolism, enzymes, or the scientific method!

Simple materials, real science, and lots of “aha!” moments—this lab is a hit every time.

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If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Thanks for visiting!
Jessica