Unit Introduction

Unit 6 | Showtime

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Coral reefs support a wondrous diversity of life in a rich habitat. Yet coral reefs are highly sensitive to the acidity of ocean water. As oceans become more acidic because of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by human activity, the balance favored by corals is thrown off, affecting their well-being.
Carlos Villoch/Robert Harding

In this unit, you will learn

  • what happens in a chemical system at equilibrium

  • how the balance in a reversible process is maintained

  • the mathematical relationship between starting substances and products in a system at equilibrium

  • about variables that affect reversible processes

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David Arky/Getty Images

Why Showtime?

As the Living by Chemistry course comes to the culminating Unit 6: Showtime, it is time for you to reflect on what you have learned and show what you know. You will explore reversible processes that have a dynamic balance between starting substances and products. This balance is known as chemical equilibrium. You will consider the behavior of molecules in the human body, the reversible processes of dissolving and precipitation, weak acids in aqueous solutions, and colorful molecules called indicators. You’ll complete a research project that involves extracting colorful molecules from flowers or berries and then manipulating the solution color in a showy ending to the course.