Background:
For this project we made a chemical dominoes themed board game. We incorporated each of the following reactions: single replacement, double replacement, production of a gas, lighting an LED, and a physical and chemical change of energy. We were required to have a sturdy board game, playing pieces, safety precautions, a detailed explanation and equations for each reaction, a game blueprint, and set-up/instructions.
Our Game: Chemical Land:
For our game we chose to take a simple route and design our board game with an outer ring in which the players would move around, and an inner ring with a spinner that helped determine different reactions. Both the outer and inner ring squares were labeled with a different reactants. The players would start on the START square, roll a die, and then proceed to move how ever many spots the die dictated. Once their new position was decided they would flick the spinner. If the reactant their player was currently on and the reactant that the spinner pointed to created a reaction (listed above in the background), we would create the reaction for them to see and they would get a point. The first player to complete all reactions wins the game.
Materials for our Game:
Safety Precautions:
Explanation of Reactions:
Single Displacement: Zinc reacts with hydrochloric acid to form hydrogen gas and zinc nitrate. In a single displacement reaction an element replaces its like element in an ionic compound or acid, in this specific reaction electrons move from zinc to hydrogen.
HCl + Zn yields ZnCl2 + H2
Double Displacement: Lead nitrate and potassium iodide form dissolved potassium nitrate a lead iodide precipitate. In a double displacement reaction ionic compounds exchange ions and form two new ionic compounds.
KI + PbNO3 yields K(NO3) +PbI
Production of a Gas: In this reaction the combustion of ethanol will be observed. In a combustion reaction CO2 and H2O are always products.
C2H6O + 3O2 yields 2CO2 + 3H2O
Change of Energy: For this reaction we have a classic volcano erupting type reaction. Once baking soda and vinegar are both added to the beaker, there will be an eruption.
Lighting of an LED: In this reaction an LED will light up. Through the use of a circuit which connects a battery to an LED, the finished product will have a result seen by the LED lighting up.
Link to Google Doc with Instructions, Safety Precautions, and Explanations of Reactions:
For this project we made a chemical dominoes themed board game. We incorporated each of the following reactions: single replacement, double replacement, production of a gas, lighting an LED, and a physical and chemical change of energy. We were required to have a sturdy board game, playing pieces, safety precautions, a detailed explanation and equations for each reaction, a game blueprint, and set-up/instructions.
Our Game: Chemical Land:
For our game we chose to take a simple route and design our board game with an outer ring in which the players would move around, and an inner ring with a spinner that helped determine different reactions. Both the outer and inner ring squares were labeled with a different reactants. The players would start on the START square, roll a die, and then proceed to move how ever many spots the die dictated. Once their new position was decided they would flick the spinner. If the reactant their player was currently on and the reactant that the spinner pointed to created a reaction (listed above in the background), we would create the reaction for them to see and they would get a point. The first player to complete all reactions wins the game.
Materials for our Game:
- game board
- player pieces (4)
- die
- nitric acid
- lead nitrate
- hydrochloric acid
- zinc
- ethanol
- match
- watch glass (2)
- 10 mL beaker
- 250 mL beaker
- sodium bicarbonate
- pipet (2)
- Pull out materials and choose a player piece
- Begin game on "START" square
- Roll die to determine number of squares to move on board
- Spin spinner to determine one of four reactions starters to combine
- If the space you are on reacts with the reactant given by the spinner, complete the reaction
- First player to complete all four reactions wins and gets to light the LED
- Go around board until winner determined
Safety Precautions:
- Be sure to use caution when handling fragile parts
- Be sure to tie back any loose clothing, hair, and be sure to use safety goggles
- For single displacement reaction, gloves are needed
Explanation of Reactions:
Single Displacement: Zinc reacts with hydrochloric acid to form hydrogen gas and zinc nitrate. In a single displacement reaction an element replaces its like element in an ionic compound or acid, in this specific reaction electrons move from zinc to hydrogen.
- Place zinc into 10mL beaker
- Fill pipet with 5mL of hydrochloric acid
- Squirt the hydrochloric acid into the 10mL beaker
- To clean up, pour the contents of the 10mL beaker into a 250mL beaker containing sodium bicarbonate
HCl + Zn yields ZnCl2 + H2
Double Displacement: Lead nitrate and potassium iodide form dissolved potassium nitrate a lead iodide precipitate. In a double displacement reaction ionic compounds exchange ions and form two new ionic compounds.
- Place 5 drops of .25 mL potassium iodide into a watch glass
- Add 5 drops of .125 mL lead nitrate into the watch glass
- Rinse precipitate to wash
KI + PbNO3 yields K(NO3) +PbI
Production of a Gas: In this reaction the combustion of ethanol will be observed. In a combustion reaction CO2 and H2O are always products.
- Place 10 drops of ethanol into a watch glass
- Light and drop a match into the ethanol
- Once cooled, throw the match in the trash
C2H6O + 3O2 yields 2CO2 + 3H2O
Change of Energy: For this reaction we have a classic volcano erupting type reaction. Once baking soda and vinegar are both added to the beaker, there will be an eruption.
- Pour 5 mL baking soda into a 250 mL beaker
- Pout 5 mL vinegar into the 250 mL beaker
- Be sure to complete reaction in a controlled area, as it may spill over
Lighting of an LED: In this reaction an LED will light up. Through the use of a circuit which connects a battery to an LED, the finished product will have a result seen by the LED lighting up.
Link to Google Doc with Instructions, Safety Precautions, and Explanations of Reactions:
Picture of Game:
Reflection:
This project proved itself to be a very engaging way to learn about and understand different chemical reactions. My group didn't have too much trouble deciding which direction we wanted to take our game. We came to a consensus fairly quickly that we wanted to do something more on the simple side, but still keep a creative edge to it. We also didn't run into any problems when deciding what reactions we wanted to include since we had previously finished a lab which involved completing each reaction required for the game. We figured since we already had experience with the reactions done in the lab, we wouldn't have much problem completing them on game night. The one thing that didn't come so easy was setting up the LED. No one was super proficient in setting LEDs up, so we had to ask around for help. Another thing we could all improve upon is making sure everyone has an equal share in helping out. Overall, I greatly enjoyed this project and gained a better understanding of different chemical reactions.
This project proved itself to be a very engaging way to learn about and understand different chemical reactions. My group didn't have too much trouble deciding which direction we wanted to take our game. We came to a consensus fairly quickly that we wanted to do something more on the simple side, but still keep a creative edge to it. We also didn't run into any problems when deciding what reactions we wanted to include since we had previously finished a lab which involved completing each reaction required for the game. We figured since we already had experience with the reactions done in the lab, we wouldn't have much problem completing them on game night. The one thing that didn't come so easy was setting up the LED. No one was super proficient in setting LEDs up, so we had to ask around for help. Another thing we could all improve upon is making sure everyone has an equal share in helping out. Overall, I greatly enjoyed this project and gained a better understanding of different chemical reactions.