Intro :
Our goal for this project was to create a board game with chemical reactions and physical changes that would be fun and entertaining for kids ten or older. We first started out by deciding that our theme would be a spin off of Jurassic Park, and so we decorated our board and chose our reactions based on that. Once our board was painted and all laid out, we decided on what our reactions would be. We focused on single displacement reaction, double displacement reaction, synthesis reaction, decomposition reaction, and a physical change. Our first reaction we decided on was a reaction between Cu(NO3)2 + Na2CO3 that was a double displacement reaction. This turned a clear blue lake into a solid light blue lake to signify a lake freezing over helping you escape the pursuing dinosaurs. The second reaction, was a physical change and a single replacement reaction with the replacement of aluminum with copper, which then dissolved the copper and allowed the circuit to be complete and light the bulb. The turned on light signified the allowing of you to pass. The third chemical reaction was a decomposition reaction between potassium iodine a high molar hydrogen peroxide. When the two reactants combined, the hydrogen peroxide was broken down and when mixed with soap created foaming bubbles. We added in food coloring to this to make it look like a flowing volcano. Our final reaction was a synthesis, gas creating reaction between vinegar and sodium bicarbonate. When these two combined, they formed carbon dioxide that filled up a balloon signifying you leaving the island on a hot air balloon.
Photo of Board Game :
First Reaction : Cu(NO3)2 + Na2CO3 - double displacement
Second Reaction : Al + CuCl2 - single displacement & physical change
Third Reaction : KI + H2O2 - decomposition reaction
Fourth Reaction : C2H3O2 + NaHCO3 - synthesis reaction & production of a gas
Second Reaction : Al + CuCl2 - single displacement & physical change
Third Reaction : KI + H2O2 - decomposition reaction
Fourth Reaction : C2H3O2 + NaHCO3 - synthesis reaction & production of a gas
Concepts :
- Double Replacement - A type of chemical reaction where two compounds react, and the positive ions (cation) and the negative ions (anion) of the two reactants switch places, forming two new compounds or products
- Single Replacement - A type of chemical reaction where an element reacts with a compound and takes the place of another element in that compound
- Physical Change - Changes affecting the form of a chemical substance, but not its chemical composition
- Decomposition Reaction - A decomposition reaction is when one compound breaks apart into two or more elements or compounds.
- Synthesis Reaction- A synthesis reaction is when two or more elements or compounds all combine to form only one product. If a reaction has a single product, it must be a synthesis reaction.
Reflection :
Overall this project went good. I think my group could have been more on task which would have allowed us to be more organized than we were. In the end we did get everything done, but I think if we had used our time more wisely it could have been better. During this project we hit a couple bumps in our ideas. Originally we wanted the KI + H2O2 reaction to come out of a dinosaurs mouth colored red, but in the end the toy dinosaur was too small to hold the amounts of each reactant that we needed. So instead we went with the flowing lava out of the volcano. In the beginning our group had trouble deciding on ideas and listening to each other, but by the end we were able to agree and support each others ideas. I think overall this project was ok especially since it was our first project of the year, and we can improve on working together and more efficiently on our next one.