2.2 Chemical Reactions That Produce Ethanol
This is a lesson plan (“Chemical Reactions that Produce Ethanol,” Renewable Fuels Unit 2 Lesson 2) that teaches students about the fermentation process and the chemical reactions that produce ethanol. Through an interest approach with fermented foods, a word-card definition activity, a fermentation equation, and two hands-on yeast experiments, students learn how sugar is converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide and how conditions like temperature affect fermentation. The lesson includes teacher scripting, transparency masters, an activity sheet, and an assessment with answer key.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
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- Define and identify the fermentation process.
- Recognize the reactions that occur in the fermentation process.
- Time required
- Instruction time for this lesson: 90 minutes.
- Materials
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- Writing surface
- Projector
- AS.A – one per student
- TM.A
- Assess.A – one per student
- Tape/other means to affix paper to writing surface
- Scissors
- Safety glasses
- Variety of fermented foods (see interest approach)
- 8 or more packages of yeast
- Ice
- Measuring spoons
- Flour
- Salt
- Sugar
- Vinegar
- Stirrers
- Heating element
- 4 clear glasses
- Precepts
- F. Continuous Improvement — F5. Acquire new knowledge. J. Mental Growth — J4. Solve problems.
- Resources
- http://www.ethanolrfa.org
- Key Terms
- Ethanol; Fermentation
Downloads & Links
Aligned Standards
National Standards
- NL-ENG.K-12.8Students use a variety of technological and information resources to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.