Thermochemistry Project 

Description: For this project called YOU HAVE THE POWER! made us students get into groups and answer the essential questions;  How can we convert Chemical Energy into another form of useful energy and how can we measure the amount of energy transferred between their systems? We will explore these forms of energy by designing, building, and refining a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another form of energy.

Evidence of Project: 

Description of Project: The setup involves a carefully constructed LEGO structure, designed to support a small turbine mounted at one end. The second phase of the project incorporates a chemical reaction to generate gas. A beaker is partially filled with baking soda, and upon initiating the reaction, vinegar is added. Immediately after, a balloon is secured over the beaker’s opening to capture the resulting gas. Once the balloon has inflated, it is detached and positioned to release the captured gas in a controlled, horizontal stream directed at the turbine. This airflow is intended to power the fan mechanism mounted on the LEGO structure.

Explaining the Concept: This project includes a basic chemistry reaction between vinegar (acetic acid) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). When mixed together, they react and produce carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas, along with water and sodium acetate. You can see the reaction happening because it creates fizzing and bubbles as the gas is released.

Next, a balloon is placed over the beaker to catch the carbon dioxide gas. After the balloon fills up, it is carefully removed so the gas doesn’t escape. Then, the balloon is tilted horizontally with the opening facing the turbine.

Finally, when the end of the balloon is released, the gas shoots out and hits the turbine. This makes the turbine spin, showing how a chemical reaction can create gas that is used to produce motion.

Reflection: For this project my  peaks and positives were similar. One of my peaks was when my teammates asked me to help with parts of our project. The second thing is that I learned that I need to work on my communication skills more. I would consider this a positive because I benefited from this project by learning something about myself. 

Two things I could've done better/improve on was my communication. For this project I was grouped with two friends. Although they tried their best to include me I felt useless the entire time and when I tried to speak up I was still assigned with nothing. I learned from this experience that I should have spoke up more and made it clear that I was a part of this group and I deserved to participate as well. The last pit I had was comprehension, I sort of had an idea of what our project was but the communication of my group was not were it should have been so one of us, me in this case, was not given the explaination or shared the ideas of this project. So, I had to use the bits & pieces I was given to put together our project in my mind to comprehend.  

Overal this project was interesting to say the least, if we had more communication it would have been more enjoyable but other then that I had a great time working with my group and learned a lot personally and educationally from this project.