Activity #2 Atom and Atomic Structure

I choose to learn about and make models for the following elements:

1-2. Neon (NE)

The atomic number for neon is 10.

The atomic mass for neon is 20.1797 (6)

Fluorine (F)

The atomic number for fluorine is 9.

The atomic mass for fluorine is 18.9984032 (5)

Potassium (K)

The atomic number for potassium is 19.

The atomic mass for Potassium is 39.0983 (1)

3.  Protons and electrons are the two subatomic particles that are all equal in number in these models.

4.  If I wanted to make an isotope with the element neon I would add one extra neutron in the nucleus and this element would have a slightly heavier atomic weight.

5.  The volume of an atom is mostly made up of empty space.

6. Here is a picture of what happens when energy excited and electron.

7. It returns to its lowest possible energy level and is near to the nucleus when it is returned from an excited state to a ground state. 

8. When an element is burned it gives an emission spectrum. Since every element has different electron configurations and it is the outermost electrons that are excited by the heat energy and then relax giving off energy in the relaxation process each element emits light of a different energy (therefore wavelength) and so it is a different color. For example sodium salts give a persistent yellow flame, potassium salts a fleeting lavender flame, and lithium salts a bright red flame. In summary these flame colors result from the electron structures of atoms for each specific element.

9. Fireworks are made from specific compounds such as strontium (red), copper (blue), and sodium (yellow). When the electrons of these compounds are excited by the heat of the flame they produce color specific to the elements and compounds found in them.

10. The periodic table is arranged in groups of metals, non-metals, and noble gases. They are also arranged from lower number of protons to higher number of protons. Each vertical column is a group or sometimes called families. This means all of the elements grouped together have similar chemical properties.  A horizontal row on the periodic table is called a period. The properties of elements vary periodically across the period.  In the United States, the groups are often indicated by numerals followed by the letter A or B. The letter A designates that that element is a main group element. An element followed by a B is designated as a transitional element.

 11. The information below are examples of two elements found in each group.

•  Both sodium and potassium are alkali metals.
• ·         Examples from the Alkaline Earth group are Magnesium (Mg) Calcium (Ca)
• ·         Two examples of halogens are Fluorine and Chlorine.
• ·         Two examples of Nobel gases are Neon (NE) and Krypton (Kr).
• ·         Examples of transition metals include Iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn).
• ·         Two examples of non-metals are Carbon (C) and Nitrogen (N2).
• ·         Two examples of Metalloids are Boron (B) and Silicon (Si).

Blog Activity # 1 (Boiling and Freezing)

One of the elements that make up earth is water but how much do we really know about the different states of water or the molecule known as H2O. These experiments hope to discover the different properties of water in different states.

It is important to understand what atoms make up a water molecule.  On the right had side there is a picture to demonstrate the make up. 

It is also important to know water can be in a different state of matter. States include liquid, gas, and solids. Here is a catchy song to help understand the concepts and how each of them come to be in each state Solids, Liquids, and Gases - YouTube.

Here are three experimental questions I am going to answer:
1. Does hot water or cold water freeze faster?
2. Does hot water or cold water boil faster?
3.Does salt water freeze faster or slower than regular water?
Materials Needed for All Experiments
   Measuring cups (1 cup and ½ a cup)         

·         Heat  source

·         Freezer

·         Note Cards

·         4 Plastic cups

·         Sharpie

·         Marker

·         Clock or timer

·         Water source (tap water)

1     1 Tbsp table salt
T     Thermometer

Boiling Water

Hypotheses for Boiling Water Activity: The hot water will boil faster because the temperature of the water is closer to boiling point then the cold water.

Procedure:
1.       Take the pot and fill one with 1 cup of hot water for the first three trials and then do the same with cold water for three trials.
2.       Turn the burner to the same power level (I did power level “Hi”)
3.       Watch clock and check for boiling every thirty seconds and record observations.

Observations:

·         The first trial started at 48C after the first 30 seconds the temperature was 51C. Bubbles started to form at this time. Thirty seconds later the water came to a full boil at 65C.

·         The temperature for the start of the second trial was 47C. Thirty seconds later it was at 50C. Very tiny bubbles formed at this time. It came to a full boil at 66C.

·         The temperature of the water at the start of the third trial was 43C. It then heated up after thirty seconds it was 53C. It was at a full boil when the temperature reached 70C.

·         I also observed that it was hard to make sure the pot was completely cooled down from the previous trial.

·         The first trial for the cold water started at 13C. It then heated up to 20C and bubbled started to form. At 44C the bubbles had movement and at 67C the water was at a full boil.

·         The second trial’s cold water temperature started at 15C then heated up to 20C when bubbles began to form. The bubbles showed movement at 47C and the water came to a full boil at 63C.

·         The third cold water temperature started at 13C. Then reached 25C and bubbles began to form thirty seconds after that at 44C. The water came to a full boil at 65C.

 Graphs:

Controlled Variables:

·         The amount of water was all carefully measured to ensure same amount was being used.

·         Water came from the same source

·         The same size pot was used for every trial

·         The burners were both on power level "Hi"

 Conclusion: The hot water boiled faster than the cold water. My hypotheses was proven true.

Freezing Water

Hypotheses for Freezing Water Activity: The cold water will freeze first because the temperature is closer to freezing point.

Procedure:

1.       Label 2 plastic cups using sharpie as hot, cold,

2.       Fill each plastic cup with ½ cup of designated water temperature of hot water and cold water.

3.       Place cups on self in freezer and begin time

4.       Check cups every five to ten minutes and record observations

Observations:

• The cold water began to crystallize around the edges of the cup and slowly the top layer. (Around 40 min into experiment)
• The hot water began to crystallize around the edges of the cup and slowly the top layer as well. ( Around 60 min into the experiment)
• As time went by the thicker the top layers of the cold water became.
•  The water began to crystallize around the edges of the cold water come and eventually created a smooth top layer before completely freezing.
•    The hot water crystallized around the edges as well but stayed crystallized for a longer period of time before completely freezing.

Controlled Variables:

·         The water was carefully measured to ensure the same amount of water was being used

·         The water came from the same source

·         The plastic cups were all exactly the same

·         The cups were all placed in the door side by side another in the freezer

Conclusion: The cold water froze faster than the hot water.

Hypotheses for Freezing Water Activity: The regular water will freeze first because the temperature is closer to freezing point.

Procedure:

1.            Label 2 plastic cups using sharpie as regular and salt

2.          Fill each plastic cup with ½ cup of designated water salt water, and regular water.

3.            Place cups on self in freezer and begin time

4.            Check cups every five to ten minutes and record observations

Observations:

• The regular water began to crystallize around the edges and top layer of water in the cup. (Around 50 min)
• The salt water began to crystallize from the center much later. ( Around 63 min
•  The top layer of the regular water began to freeze are the edges and eventually the top.
•   The in the salt water cup the salt sat on the bottom of the cup while the water started to freeze on the top layer before eventually freezing completely.

Controlled Variables:

·         The water was carefully measured to ensure the same amount of water was being used

·         The water came from the same source

·         The plastic cups were all exactly the same

·         The cups were all placed in the door side by side another in the freezer

Conclusion: The regular water froze faster than the salt water.

            My theory is the slower the motion of the molecules the faster the molecules become a solid. i.e. frozen. The faster the motion of molecules the faster it becomes a gas or liquid. i.e. boiling water to steam.

After doing these experiments I learned that my hypotheses were all proven true. The hot water boiled faster than the cold water because its starting temperature was closer to boiling point. Water boiled on average at four minutes. After doing the boiling experiment the freezing experiment just confirmed my theory. The cold water began to crystallize around the edges and on top and eventually froze before the hot water. The regular water mimics the results of the cold water but it occurred after about thirteen minuets. 

           One of the concepts I used from our lecture and the book was the Scientific Method. The scientific method is used for any new product design development whether its medicine production or treatment all the way to house hold cleaners and convince products. The products have to be tested for effectiveness, safety, and consistency. By using this method you can prove a product is worthwhile or make the necessary changes by redesigning the product based on inconsistency or bad results.