CHEMISTRY
INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
Mission:
Investigatory Project of Acids and Bases in Daily Products
Across Different Sectors
Objective:
Students will investigate the role of acids and bases in various daily products from different
sectors (e.g., food, cosmetics, cleaning products) and replace these chemical ingredients with
natural alternatives. The goal is to choose alternatives that are safer for use and environmentally
friendly, based on an analysis of pH levels from reference data.
Task Guidelines:
1. Sector Selection:
o Choose one product from each of the following sectors:
Packaged Food
Packaged Drinks
Cosmetics (e.g., shampoo, face wash)
Household cleaning (e.g., toilet cleaner, dish soap)
Health and wellness (e.g., toothpaste, antacid)
2. Research and pH Analysis:
o Identify the acids or bases present in the product and their role in achieving the
desired effect.
o Investigate the pH levels of these products using reference data (e.g., vinegar
has a pH of around 2-3, baking soda is alkaline with a pH of around 9).
o Analyze how the pH of each ingredient impacts its function and safety in the
product.
3. Natural Alternatives:
o Research natural ingredients that fall within similar pH ranges and can serve as
replacements for the chemicals in the products.
o Explain how these natural alternatives are safer for use and better for the
environment (e.g., citric acid from lemons for cleaning, baking soda for
deodorizing).
4. Experiment:
o Conduct a comparative analysis by testing the pH of both the original chemical
product and your proposed natural alternative.
o Measure the effectiveness of the natural ingredient in replacing the acid/base
while maintaining the desired effect (e.g., cleaning power, skincare, health
benefits).
5. Report and Data Presentation:
o Present your findings in a detailed report, including:
Product selection across sectors
pH data of original and natural ingredients
The effectiveness and safety of natural alternatives
CHEMISTRY
INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
oCreate data visualizations (e.g., charts, graphs) comparing pH levels and the
performance of the alternatives.
6. Final Presentation:
o Prepare a 10-minute presentation, focusing on how the pH level influenced your
choice of natural ingredients, their safety, and their environmental benefits.
Evaluation Criteria:
Depth of Research: Understanding of the role of pH in the products and its relevance
to acids and bases.
Selection of Alternatives: Appropriateness of natural ingredients based on pH and
environmental impact.
Experimental Design and Results: Clarity and precision in pH testing and
effectiveness of natural ingredients.
Data Presentation: Quality of data analysis and visualization.
Presentation Skills: Clear and engaging explanation of findings.
Timeline:
Week 1-2: Research pH data and product selection
Week 3: Experimentation and data collection
Week 4: Report submission and presentation preparation
This project will help you develop a deeper understanding of how acids and bases function in
everyday products and how we can replace them with safer, natural alternatives based on
scientific analysis!
CHEMISTRY
INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
Report Template: See attachment!
Analysis:
Eco-Friendly Chemical Ingredients (Acids and Bases) in a Product
In March of 2015, the United Nations adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s)
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (2021).
UNESCO and Sustainable Development Goals. UNESCO.
https://en.unesco.org/sustainabledevelopmentgoals
Using the selected product, discuss how innovations in chemistry could be used to
approach one of these goals.
Your answer should elaborate on the chemical processes involved in the product design
and the societal, economic, and environmental implications of this technology.
Rubric for Investigatory Project on Acids and Bases in Daily Products
Performance Levels:
Exemplary (4): Outstanding work that goes above and beyond expectations.
Proficient (3): Solid work with minor gaps or areas for improvement.
Basic (2): Basic understanding with some misconceptions or lack of depth.
Needs Improvement (1): Significant gaps in understanding or effort.
This rubric can guide your students in focusing on understanding the chemistry concepts,
applying their knowledge, and developing inquiry skills while assessing real-world contexts
like environmental safety.
