Year 7 Chemistry Week 11 - Kitchen Chemistry

Welcome to Week 11 of Year 7 Chemistry! This week, we’ll explore how chemistry is at work in your kitchen. You’ll learn about chemical changes that happen when we cook, experiment with making emulsions, and discover the amazing contributions of Michael Faraday to chemistry—including his famous work with candles.

Hour 1: Chemical Changes in Cooking

Learning Objectives

By the end of this hour, you will:

• Understand the difference between physical and chemical changes.

• Learn how cooking causes chemical changes in food.

The kitchen may not look like a laboratory, but a lot of chemistry happens in the kitchen. Watch the videos below and maybe carry out some of the cooking tasks yourself.

Read and Watch

1. Watch: The Chemistry of Bread (NBC News), Chemistry of Cookies , Caramel Apples (Bite Sizd Education)

2. Watch: Chemical and Physical Changes (NGS) to make sure you know the difference between chemical and physical changes.

   
   

Task: Chemical Changes in Your Kitchen

• Observe what happens when you toast bread or fry an egg. Write down:

  • What visible changes occur?

  • How do these changes indicate a chemical reaction?

    
    

Hour 2: Experimenting with Emulsions

Learning Objectives

By the end of this hour, you will:

• Understand what emulsions are and how they are formed.

• Create your own emulsion using household ingredients.

  
  

Practical Activity: Making an Emulsion

What You Need:

• Oil

• Water

• Mustard (as an emulsifier)

• A small bowl

• A whisk or fork

  
  

Steps:

1. Pour a small amount of oil and water into the bowl.

2. Mix them vigorously and observe how they separate.

3. Add a pinch of mustard and mix again. Notice how the oil and water now blend into an emulsion.

   
   

Watch: Emulsions (Serious Eats)

Reflection Questions:

• How does mustard help combine the oil and water?

• Can you think of other foods that are emulsions (e.g., mayonnaise, salad dressing)?

  
  

Hour 3: Michael Faraday and the Chemistry of Candles

Learning Objectives

By the end of this hour, you will:

• Learn about Michael Faraday’s contributions to chemistry and his famous lecture series.

• Understand the science behind burning candles.

  
  

Read and Watch

1. Watch: Absolute Genius (BBC) for a fun and longer dive into science.

2. Watch: Faraday (SciShow)for a biography.

3. Watch: How a Candle Burns by the American Chemistry Society.

4. Watch: What is Fire? (Ted-Ed)

   
   

Task: Candle Observation

What You Need:

• A candle

• Matches or a lighter (with adult supervision)

• A glass jar

• A notebook

  
  

Steps:

1. Light the candle and observe how it burns. Note the flame’s colour and shape.

2. Cover the candle with the glass jar and observe what happens when the oxygen is depleted.

   
   

Reflection Questions:

• What role does oxygen play in the burning process?

• How did Faraday’s observations about candles help explain combustion?

  
  

Summary and Reflection

• Reflect on the Week:

  • What did you find most interesting about the chemical changes in cooking?

  • How do emulsifiers make certain foods possible?

  • Why was Michael Faraday’s work with candles so important to understanding chemistry?

Weekly Reflection Journal (10)

.pdf

Download PDF • 225KB

• Looking Ahead: Next week, we’ll wrap up the term with a project week. You’ll apply everything you’ve learned to design and conduct your own experiment!

Enjoy your week of exploring the fascinating chemistry in your kitchen!