An Alternative Experimental Procedure to Determine the Solubility of Potassium Nitrate in Water with Automatic Data Acquisition Using Arduino for Secondary School: Development and Validation with Pre-Service Chemistry Teachers

Abstract

In the laboratory, data acquisition systems are important, as they allow us to easily and precisely collect data. In this sense, Arduino emerges as an automatic data acquisition device with great potential, due to its low cost and high versatility. In this work, we describe the development of an experimental apparatus, with automatic data acquisition using Arduino, to determine the variation of the solubility of potassium nitrate in water as a function of temperature. Ten chemistry teachers in initial training were involved in developing and validating that alternative experimental procedure for secondary school. Pre-service chemistry teachers determined the solubility of the aforementioned salt at different temperatures, using both a method for the study of the solubility of salts that does not resort to automatic data acquisition as well as the alternative method proposed in this work. The experimental solubility curves of potassium nitrate were plotted for both situations. The experimental results obtained by both methods are similar and very close to the values reported in the literature. Moreover, chemistry teachers in initial training recognize that the proposed method can promote the development of secondary students' skills such as greater mastery in assembling electrical circuits and in the use of technological devices or software for automatic data acquisition and processing. Thus, the results suggest the feasibility of the developed experimental method for its implementation in an educational context with secondary students and prove it to be an asset for the education of students, when compared to the traditionally used method.

Can ChatGPT Enhance Chemistry Laboratory Teaching? Using Prompt Engineering to Enable AI in Generating Laboratory Activities

“…According to Morais and Araujo, 19 in the Portuguese context, students investigate the influence of temperature on the solubility of potassium nitrate in water by tracing the solubility curve of this salt. The use of this salt is suggested, due to the large variation of its solubility in water at different temperatures and the low risk in its handling (p. 775).…”

“…In this regard, practical-laboratory work in Chemistry classes is considered one of the most effective strategies to enhance learning in this field. 19 As Agustian and Seery 20 emphasize, laboratory work is a core component of the chemistry curriculum. Several authors, 21−23 including the American Chemical Society, 24 highlight laboratory activities as a means to promote success in learning chemistry.…”

“…In the case of chemistry, it is an experimental science by nature. In this regard, practical-laboratory work in Chemistry classes is considered one of the most effective strategies to enhance learning in this field . As Agustian and Seery emphasize, laboratory work is a core component of the chemistry curriculum.…”

Building an Arduino-Based Open-Source Programmable Multichannel Syringe Pump: A Useful Tool for Fluid Delivery in Microfluidics and Flow Chemistry

“…The Arduino platform allows people to create quite impressive products in a very short period of time, and the 3D printer is a classic example of using Arduino in practice . With the aid of Arduino community, researchers have created many excellent lab-built instruments with low costs for data acquisition, analysis, and equipment control in chemical fields based on Arduino platform. ,,− A large number of Arduino-based teaching devices for chemical laboratory teaching have been developed, which greatly reduces the cost of chemistry teaching and provides a wealth of optional low-cost teaching devices for teachers engaged in chemistry laboratory teaching. ,− Moreover, based on Arduino microcontroller, chemical experiments can become more interesting, greatly expanding the teaching content and interest. − For syringe pumps, the core components are stepper motors and related mechanical parts that drive the precision movement of the syringe piston. And recently some articles related to the manufacture of syringe pumps have been reported in the literature. ,, Similar to the 3D printer, the heart of the syringe pump is the stepper motor and related mechanical components.…”