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!