Three Questions

Recently I have finished the test, the latest homework, and lots of labs! In so doing, I have learned about the mathematics involved in the labs, and solving problems related to solubility, redox reactions, and volumetric analysis. Next I  plan to put the finishing touches on my labs for Monday, and finish the glog on my book! 

Titration... in real life

So just for a second pretend you are Robert Angus Smith. Its 1852 and you are studying air pollution in an age marked by the growth of industry.

You live in Scotland, which just happens to be the place famous for having the most acid rain ever.  That would be a subject of scientific interest, I mean, its only sulfuric acid pouring from the sky, right? But you jump right in and begin your investigation. I mean, who wouldn't want to know why 109.16 grams of sulfuric anhydride would ever be in the position to contaminate every single gallon of rainwater. 

After all of your pioneering research you publish a book called air and rain, in which you formally begin your own field of research, chemical climatology.

 Then you go down in history as the father of acid rain, which does sound pretty bad when you think about it, I mean, acid rain has pretty volatile effects on ecosystems, but we won’t get into that, the poor guy only coined the term, after all.

Now pretend you are a modern day chemical climatologist, and you study the ideas brought about by guys like our friend Robert. Being a chemical climatologist, you  say you want to study the acidity and composition of the rainwater, contaminated or otherwise in the immediate area. Now you are studying how precipitaion responds to an increase in output of air pollutants by industry, or something similar. After using ion exchange chromatography to analyze your samples for various ions, you then set out to identify the degree of contamination. Immediately, you think of everything you learned about titration and how it can give you information on the proportions of chemicals in solution. After identifying sulfuric acid in the solution, you titrate it to neutrality with sodium hydroxide. By finding out how much sodium hydroxide is necessary, you can figure the degree to which the rainwater is contaminated. 

                                               

Picture from http://amcheminfo.blogspot.com/
From this, it is absolutely clear that titration is essential in the environmental sciences. For the same purpose, it is also used in waste water analysis, though a bit more elaborately, for the same purpose. Figuring the extent of contamination. In this case to meet standards. 

As a method of chemical analysis, titration has a clear and straightforward purpose. It tells us about a solution, and as we have seen, that can be absolutely vital. 

Sources

http://www.titrations.info/acid-base-titration-sulfuric-acid

http://www.people.carleton.edu/~bhaileab/environmentalgeology/RainWater.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion_chromatography

http://archive.org/stream/airrainbeginning00smitiala#page/234/mode/2up

http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100308180158AA7Z2Vo

http://cpe.njit.edu/dlnotes/CHE685/Cls06-1.pdf

3 Questions!

 Recently I have completed the raw data for four new labs! In doing so I have learned about activity series, solubility rules, redox reactions, and the reactions of aqueous ionic compounds with metals. This week has been absolutely action packed, I have learned to categorize reactions, predict probable products and balance charges. I also learned about the concept of molarity and its applications in dilutions, stoicheometry, and the upcoming lab I need to prepare for. Next I plan to complete this weeks labs, prep for next weeks labs, finish all flipped questions, homework and take lots of notes on the online lectures. It just keeps getting busier.

Everyday reactions!!!

 Life as we know it is based on chemistry, and it serves a very integral function. We ourselves are the result of the innumerable chemical reactions that serve as the basis for our being. These interactions between matter are essential to the world as we know it and play vital roles in the most commonplace things.

Technology is also important in our increasingly technology dependent society, and it to is powered by reaction. Our cars, cell phones, laptops, toys and flashlights are all powered by battery. Although there are many types, their energy has a chemical origin. Take the common AA battery, the type that never seem to have when I need it, and find randomly when I don't. These alkaline batteries generate power from an oxidation reduction reaction. There are two parts of the battery that I care about, the cathode and the anode.  In the anode, composed in this case by a zinc powder, electrons are produced through oxidation. The cathode (here, MnO2 and other assorted compounds) absorbs these electrons in the reduction part of this. As a result of these reactions, electricity is produced. Until, of course, the limiting reactant is all reacted, and your flashlight suddenly goes out, the batteries "dead".


2 MnO₂(s) + 2 NH₄Cl(s) + Zn(s)  Mn₂O₃(s) + H₂O(l) + Zn(NH₃)₂Cl₂(s)

Balanced chemical equation of the redox reaction in a battery! Thanks to http://library.thinkquest.org/C004970/redox/cells.htm 

I don't know why these products in particular are yielded, I don't know of any patterns in this reaction type. It is most likely a redox reaction because on one side, there is the polyatomic ion ammonia, and not the other. Also, Zn, (with a zero charge on the left) combines to form the compound on the right implying a now nonzero charge.

I care about this reaction, and other everyday reactions because I depend on them. I can't imagine life without batteries, or dish soap, or a non  patinated statue of liberty. These small reactions make a big difference, and other small reactions sum to make us possible! 

I am excited to learn more about redox reactions during the coming days!

from: http://www.greenphillyblog.com/philly-represent/philly-recycling/where-can-i-recycle-used-batteries/ 

Sources:

 http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/everyday-tech/battery3.htm

http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/electromag/electricity/batteries/lithium.html

http://suite101.com/article/how-do-batteries-work-a20363

Three Questions

This week I completed the categorizing chemical reactions lab, worked on the EC placement, posted a new blog post, and watched the 4.2 notes!

I have learned to categorize 5 basic equation types! I have also learned about net ionic equations, electrolytes, and non-electrolytes. I have also gotten to review all of our previous topics by doing the EC placements!

Next I plan to finish HW # 10 and finish up the flipped questions.

Three Questions

This week I have completed the test, and have the practical bit of the next lab. Next week I plan to finish the conclusions/results for the lab and turn it in. Through the lab, I have learned about categorization of reactions. Interesting stuff!

Baby Bottle Lab

The baby bottle lab was successful! My bottle, propelled by the reaction of vinegar and baking soda, traversed the full distance for a triumphant outcome. The amount of trial and air was minimized by experimental awareness, as well as working within the optimal ratio of vinegar and baking soda to eliminate un-reacted materials. As I saw in my first two trials the distance traveled, I was able to estimate about how much more I needed based on the fraction of how far I had gone, vs how far left to go. Limiting reactants are determined by stoichiometric amounts simply because molecules do not have the same mass, therefore, in order to make use of the molar ratio, one must convert to moles, and do the stoichiometry thing. If the ratio in the reaction is one molecule to another, on gram of that thing to a gram of the other is not the same thing, one could be heavier than the other, so one gram would be less of that thing than the other. If I were to do this lab again, I would be sure to gather more detailed information to try and discover a relationship between CO2 produced and distance traveled, maybe after I could then redo the experiment with a relation to time rather than distance.

Three Questions... again!

*This week was an action packed adventure! I finished the baby bottle lab, with full points on the test runs!! :) I also finished the calcs, just in time to turn them in. From doing the baby bottle lab, I've learned that percent yield SHOULD be over 100% in this lab!  I've learned a lot about stoichiometry, and from the lab, have become very practiced with all of these calculations. I will be studying for the exam in the coming days, continually striving to improve the quality of my work.
  Image from http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/The-Simple-Dollar/2012/0730/Baking-soda-and-vinegar-the-only-cleaning-products-you-should-ever-buy

Three Questions

It's been an exciting week, packed with lots of stoichiometry practice! This week I completed numerous worksheets on stoichiometry, building concepts on limiting reactants first from cars, then extending the concepts to stoich problems. I am continually learning the importance of factor label! It has not gone away yet, and it doesn't look as though it ever will.  It does everything easier, less thinking, just cancel units! Next up is the baby bottle lab, high stakes application of these all important concepts. Experimentation and theory, chemistry at its best!

Three Questions

This week, I have completed my glog, as well as making lots of mole posters, finishing up mole worksheets and labs, and sewing my mole! I have learned the basics of stoichiometry, and reinforced the use and importance of the mole. I need more practice with stoichiometry, but the basic concepts are solid.  Next I pan to get caught up with flipped questions, finish labs, prep for a lab on Monday, and update my planner with upcoming due dates!

Book Update

The knife man has been an interesting read so far, although the shock value and novelty of 18th century England wore itself out soon in the book. The most remarkable thing about this book is simply John Hunter's daring. From a farm to the height of the surgical frontier, this man has the audacity to defy the conventional remedies and advice of the time and use the scientific method to think up and test ideas, both novel, borrowed, and tweaked. By doing so Hunter made huge strides in the field of surgery, even going so far as to possibly experiment on himself in the name of his experimentation. This surgeon was also something else... an anatomist. By studying cadavers and experimenting on animals of all kinds, Hunter developed a comprehensive knowledge of the body that he used to his advantage. It was due to this knowledge that Hunter was able to develop hypothesis that produced such revolutionary results. During this time in England, surgery was a deadly option because of the misguided techniques of the time. Hunters methods, and his use of the scientific method characterized a surgical revolution, and the beginning of surgery as we know it today.

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/277001/John-Hunter

The mole... in all it's glory

The mole was surprisingly simple. As a quantity, and as a concept, it being the number of atoms in of an element when its atomic mass is in grams. Although I am still figuring out it's application, the concept itself seems solid and was thoroughly reinforced by our current lab. Percent composition is a concept thoroughly well reviewed from basic math. I liked how the empirical formula and the molecular formula are so related. One gives the other, its really cool.

Science by the Numbers

To be precise means to have all measurements close to each other, regardless of whether or not those measurements are correct. Accuracy means that a measurement is correct. To have both accuracy and precision is imperative in science because precision and accuracy together maintain the validity of the results found. This is exemplified by a recent experiment in neutrino physics. When scientists first measured the possibility that neutrinos could travel at a speed faster than that of light they did tests and found it to be a question of mere nanoseconds. In this case especially, sig digs are imperative to precisely calculate the difference in speed and the associated error to achieve the correct results.

How to calculate percent composition

To calculate percent composition of an element in a compound you multiply the number of atoms of the desired element, multiply by it's atomic weight, divide that by the formula mass of the compound and then multiply by 100. Very simple.

Book, what book?

For my glog I am reading The Knife Man, by Wendy Moore. This book covers a turning point in medical history as a one man surgical revolution takes on Georgian Europe with his daring and unconventional methods. This book details the scientific methods used by John Hunter, as well as the lengths he went to achieve greater understanding of surgery and  the human body. In a time when mortality rates associated with surgery were sky high, Hunter achieved an anatomical understanding that surpassed any of his day. Although I did not choose this book myself, I find the mix of intriguing story line history and scientific background to be most refreshing. After beginning this book, I am very glad that I did not grow up in the 1700's, where, if I was lucky enough to grow up, I may have had to risk a surgery with only a stiff shot of alcohol, while conscious, bleeding to death as an incompetent surgeon blundered around. 

Old & New Materials

   Function and form.... that's exactly what it is. Both qualities shared by modern engineered silk and the ancient samurai sword. The samurai sword performs it's function so well because of it's masterful composition. Silk as it has been, and as it is being engineered now is the same. This material is being called upon to perform a function optimally. Form to function, sounds a lot like biology, but that idea is more universal than that. The way that we have been able to take this material and apply its properties to perform optimal functions exemplifies the very spirit of chemistry. The samurai sword is the embodiment of perfection on that note. The use of materials for it's very creation is wondrous. In order to create this ancient marvel, blacksmiths had to understand the qualities of metal, and use them to their best effect. Thus they created the curved blade, that was neither too hard, nor too tough. They harnessed the very nature of the substance with which they were playing to satisfy their design requirements. This is the scientific spirit with which silk is now being explored, we are discovering it's properties in order to further function. Sustainable and biodegradable, edible and implantable silk as a technological material sounds like a foreign idea. Although it has been around for ages we are now using it to satisfy our current design requirements. We can use it to locally administer medicine, waste less, and create better technology. It is the perfect harmony between the product and the material that is characteristic of the most incredible feats of engineering that connect these two things. They are beautiful in their practicality.

Going Digital

            I am the product of my digital era. Technology has been an integral part of my life, even without my taking notice of it, because it has always been there. The flaw in this thinking is that it has not ALWAYS been there to the extent that it is today. I still remember using dial-up internet, listening to a dial tone on a huge computer monitor, as if it were such a long time ago. Now computers are faster, and smaller with more capabilities, but as technology has grown over the years, so have I. I have learned every new feature and capability with relative ease because it seems natural, easy, native. It has grown with me.
           It hasn't always been like this though, what seems like so integral a part of our society to me is foreign to others. Just a couple of days ago I was explaining to my grandma how to exit a window on the internet! I suppose I could attribute her lack of comfort with the internet to her time, it is something new to her. I guess technology is like a language in that way, it is easier to be fluent in something you have known your entire life, quite another thing to become accustomed to it later in the game.