Today in class we learned about the periodic table and reactions (rxns) and how they work in different structures. We learned how to periodic table can show how many electrons each element needs to take or give in order to create the octet rule. The octet rule is when two or more elements combine to try and create a full shell. For example, oxygen has 6 electrons on it's outer shell, and hydrogen has 1. So in order to obtain the octet rule, hydrogen must bond with oxygen twice making H20. The process of giving electrons is oxidation (not just with the element oxygen but all), and the process of receiving electrons is reduction. This whole process is chemical energy because there are mini explosions whenever two or more elements bond together. So the perfect lab to show this process is creating rocket engines.
We first got a PVC pipe and taped off the bottom. This would be the container for the fuel, fuse, etc. for the rocket. We then created the fuel. We then mixed together sorbitol (sugar) and potassium nitrate on a hot plate. It was a white powder that looked like little beads, but once we heated it, it began to liquify and turn into a white paste. We took it off the hot plate right when it started to get a little brown because 1) we didn't want to burn it, and 2) there was a chance it could set on fire if heated for too long (it is fuel for an engine after all). It was very hot, I would know because it burned and blistered my finger. After we heated it, we poured it into the PVC pipe 3/4 of the way (to leave room for the cement plug we would later put in). It cooled fairly quickly and became very similar to cement. Once it was cooled enough, we took the tape off and let it cool a little more before putting cement in the space that wasn't already filled. That had to cool for two days, which is why we tested the actual rocket engines today, Thursday. While we were away, Andrew drilled a hole into the bottom and top, one to allow smoke and air to come out and one for the fuse. We did not have the ejection charge, but we got a look for what it would look like by the amount of smoke that was produced.
Looking back:
Our experiment apparently worked very well. We didn't have the ejection charge, so we didn't really get to see what it would look like if it was a rocket, but we had a large amount of pressure come from the engine. Andrew also said that ours was the best so far (even though we went second). Here is a video of the experiment:
Looking back:
Our experiment apparently worked very well. We didn't have the ejection charge, so we didn't really get to see what it would look like if it was a rocket, but we had a large amount of pressure come from the engine. Andrew also said that ours was the best so far (even though we went second). Here is a video of the experiment:
Looking beyond:
The whole reaction starts with the fuse. When the fuse is lit with fire, it creates enough energy (heat) that the atoms debond from each other. This then creates a reaction and correlates with Newton's third law equal and opposite reaction. This means that the little explosions create enough reaction inside to push the rocket up.
Looking inward:
I think that we got desirable results, even though I don't think we would know if they were desirable enough without someone telling us. Luckily Andrew told us that ours worked really well and if we had the ejection charge, it would've run very smoothly. I'm glad to say that nothing extreme happened, such as nothing popped off or exploded, and the right amount of smoke came out of the engine. I think I performed well in this lab with collaborating with my peers. We each did a little with the lab even though there wasn't much to do. Overall, I am proud of our work.
Looking outward:
I worked with Brianna, Olivia, and Darcy. I think we worked very well together and we usually do when it comes to labs. However, if this was a project I wouldn't want to do it with this big of a group or let alone a group at all. I enjoy working on my own when it comes to projects so its nothing against them, just preferences.
Overall I am happy with this lab and feel pleased with the results we received.
The whole reaction starts with the fuse. When the fuse is lit with fire, it creates enough energy (heat) that the atoms debond from each other. This then creates a reaction and correlates with Newton's third law equal and opposite reaction. This means that the little explosions create enough reaction inside to push the rocket up.
Looking inward:
I think that we got desirable results, even though I don't think we would know if they were desirable enough without someone telling us. Luckily Andrew told us that ours worked really well and if we had the ejection charge, it would've run very smoothly. I'm glad to say that nothing extreme happened, such as nothing popped off or exploded, and the right amount of smoke came out of the engine. I think I performed well in this lab with collaborating with my peers. We each did a little with the lab even though there wasn't much to do. Overall, I am proud of our work.
Looking outward:
I worked with Brianna, Olivia, and Darcy. I think we worked very well together and we usually do when it comes to labs. However, if this was a project I wouldn't want to do it with this big of a group or let alone a group at all. I enjoy working on my own when it comes to projects so its nothing against them, just preferences.
Overall I am happy with this lab and feel pleased with the results we received.