This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the ‘Chemical changes and electrolysis’ SoW.
 
The lesson starts with students completing a ‘Think > Pair > Share’ activity whereby they need to consider some of the useful properties of metals Some example answers can be revealed using the PowerPoint presentation, some key word definitions are included for properties such as ‘malleable’ and ‘ductile’. The next task for pupils to complete is to decide which properties would be most suitable for a range of metal items - e.g. necklace, copper pipes.
 
Pupils will now either observe alkali metals being dropped into water as a demo or watch a video demonstrating this practical. During which students should record their observations in a table. Students are now asked to predict what will happen if rubidium and caesium are dropped into water. A video can be played to reveal what happens when these two alkali metals react with water so that students can check their answers.
 
Next, students are shown the general word equation for a reaction between a metal and water and will need to copy and complete for the reaction between potassium & water and lithium & water. Students can mark their work using the answers provided on the PowerPoint presentation. Pupils will now be shown four groups of metals and will need to match each group to the statement correctly describing the reactivity of those metals with water, their answers can be checked against the answers provided.
 
The next activity is for pupils to carry out a practical to observe the reactions between different types of metal and dilute hydrochloric acid. Students can draw their results table in their books and then follow the procedure to carry out the investigation, using the results they can decide upon an order of reactivity of the metals they have observed. They can also carry out an evaluation for the practical procedure that they followed.
 
The last part of the lesson focuses on the general word equation for when a metal reacts with an acid, students can use the example to complete the word equations for 5 more reactions between metals and dilute hydrochloric acid. Students can check their work against the answers provided on the PowerPoint presentation.
 
The last task is a past-paper exam question, pupils can assess their work using the mark scheme provided.