BALLOON AND BUBBLE CHEMISTRY

…ENGAGING STUDENTS USING THE SIMPLE BALLOON AND SOAP BUBBLES

…LET’S…BLOW STUFF UP…AND SHRINK THINGS DOWN!

P E G G Y A U

W I N S T O N C H U R C H I L L H I G H S C H O O L

L E T H B R I D G E , A L B E R T A , C A N A D A

W E D N E S D A Y , A U G U S T 1 , 2 0 1 2

9 : 3 0 A M T O 1 2 : 3 0 P M A N D 2 : 0 0 P M T O 5 : 0 0 P M

M A R G A R E T . A U @ L E T H S D . A B . C A

P L A Y E D U C A T E I N S P I R E . P B W O R K S . C O M

( W I K I S P A C E T O D O W N L O A D M A T E R I A L S )

PRESENTATION OBJECTIVES…

• Learn about the chemistry of gases using simple balloons and soap bubbles

• Use multi-sensory methods to teach the properties of gases; the Kinetic Molecular Theory, combustion of gases, and calculations involving gases

• Relate gases and bubbles with the real world of scuba diving, hiking and climbing, and flying.

KINETIC MOLECULAR THEORY

Physical Demonstration of the Kinetic Molecular Theory: Each participant blows up a balloon of any shape, size, or colour The size of the container is determined by the class but it can be adjusted to

become larger or smaller Solid state-hold balloon and vibrate, Liquid state-hold, move balloon, rotate

ballon, gas state-tap balloon upwards and keep balloon off the floor When “Absolute Zero” is called, all balloons are in each participant’s hands.

All molecular motion ceases. When the container’s temperature is “heated”, participants must move

faster around the room with their balloons When the container’s temperature is “cooled”, participants move slower

throughout the room If a door is opened, some participants move out of the room with their

balloon

DISCUSSION

• Variety of balloons represent a mixture of gases• All gases behave similarly regardless of shape or size…

• Spacing between molecules at different temperature and pressures

• Random molecular motion

• How pressure is related to temperature and volume

• Diffusion of gases

Demonstrate condensation, solidification, evaporation, fusion etc. using all balloons

Other considerations?

Students will be able to use the Kinetic Molecular Theory/Particle Model of Matter to explain the behaviour of gases!

KINETIC MOLECULAR THEORYM A I N P O I N T S O F

T H E T H E O R Y :

• Volume of gas is mostly empty space

• Molecules collide• Molecules move

randomly• Gas molecules move

in straight lines (translational motion)

PROPERTIES OF GASES

Introduce and discuss the properties of gases using soap “bubbles”Temperature, pressure, volume, mass and

moles (definitions, units, measuring equipment such as barometer, thermometer, graduated cylinder, gas collecting tube etc.)

Surface tension in bubbles, polymer chemistry with balloons

Recipe for Giant Bubbles: (modified David Stein)

1 cup dish soap (Joy or Dawn)1 cup cornstarch2 tablespoons baking powder½ cup glycerol (optional but makes the

bubbles bigger and longer-lasting)12 cups of water

GAS DEMONSTRATIONS-examples and discussion of gases in everyday life

Cartesian diver bottlesShrinking cupsThe crushing canAlkaseltzer RocketsHydrogen “Pop” test

GAS DEMONSTRATIONS

C A R T E S I A N D I V E R

Materials:• Water bottle with lid

filled with water• Eye dropper

CRUSHING CANS

Materials:• Aluminium cans• Hotplate• Ice water• Tongs

GAS DEMONSTRATIONSS H R I N K I N G S T Y R O C U P S

Materials Needed:styrocups

permanent markers

½ cup water

pressure cooker

hotplate

GAS DEMONSTRATIONSA L K A S E L T Z E R

R O C K E T S

Materials:• Plastic film canisters• Water• Alkaseltzer

H Y D R O G E N P O P T E S T

Materials:• Mossy zinc• 6.0 mol/L HCl (aq)• Gas collecting assembly• Test tube• Bbq lighter, match or

wooden splint

Indicate the balanced chemical equation for the reaction of zinc metal with hydrochloric acid

“GASES” IN EVERYDAY LIFE…!• The scuba diving experience and how the

equipment works• The Cartesian Diver• The Science behind scuba diving• Gas Laws-Boyle’s Law

SCUBA DIVING EXPERIENCE: THE EQUIPMENT

THE CATHEDRAL AND SWIMMING WITH THE SEA TURTLES

“GASES” IN EVERYDAY LIFE…!

F L Y I N G

Air pressure inside/outside cabin

Equalizing air pressure in sinus cavities

30 000 ft above ground

H I K I N G

Change in air pressure going up and coming down

Extreme hiking situations like Everest

Discuss people who live at high altitudes and how hemoglobin levels increase to make up for lower oxygen amounts at higher altitudes

AIR POCKETS AND AIR CAVITIES IN THE BODY

Sinuses are air pockets located within the bones of the skull and face.

They are connected to your nasal passages by small tubes or channels.

The channels permit air to flow from the nose into the sinuses and allow drainage of mucous from sinus into the nose.

Higher Level Science and Chemistry

Gas Law Concept Review Concept map, comparison scheme Discussion and time to check each other’s gas concept review Gas Term Cards Gas Stoichiometry Cards Use whiteboards and dry-erase markers

GAS LAW CALCULATIONS Boyle’s Law, Charles Law, Combined Gas Law,

Ideal Gas Law Gas Unit calculation cards

Gas Stoichiometry: question cardsstandard conditions CALCULATION

GAS STOICHIOMETRY: QUESTION CARDS

non-standard conditions C A L C U L AT I O N

Let’s Blow Stuff Up!Fossil Fuel Combustions Reactions-learning objectives• Gases required: fuel and oxygen gas• Gases produced: water vapour, carbon dioxide• Exothermic reactions, heat and/or light produced• Conversion of chemical energy into heat,

mechanical, and light energy• A decrease in potential energy (reactants with

higher energy than products)

LET’S BLOW STUFF UP!

Discussion“Lighting up” methane bubbles in the science laboratory

Materials Needed:Methane gasRubber tubingGlass or plastic funnelBubble solutionBbq lighter

What is the complete balanced chemical equation for the combustion of methane gas? Use your boards.

LET’S BLOW STUFF UP!“ B L O W I N G U P ”

P O T A T O C H I P C A N S

Materials:• Chip cans• Methanol (2-3 mL)• Bbq lighter or

matches

Balanced Chemical Equation for the combustion of methanol

LET’S BLOW STUFF UP!

W H A T I S T H E B A L A N C E D C H E M I C A L E Q U A T I O N F O R T H E D E C O M P O S I T I O N O F

H 2 O 2 ( L ) ? U S E Y O U R B O A R D S .

Materials Needed:30% hydrogen peroxidegraduated cylinderplastic pan/tubpotassium iodidefood colourdishsoap (Dawn)

E L E P H A N T T O O T H P A S T E -D E C O M P O S I T I O N O F

H 2 O 2 ( L )

LET’S BLOW STUFF UP!THE METHANOL CANNON !

Materials:• ABS pipe• Methanol (2-5 mL)• T-shirt• bbq lighter or

matches

What is the balanced chemical equation for the combustion of methanol?

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND ENTHUSIASM!

I would appreciate your feedback to make things better and useful for you as practicing teachers!

Peggy Au

margaret.au@lethsd.ab.ca

playeducateinspire.pbworks.com

(site to download, discuss, and share educational material)

(H)-403-329-8253

Contact me for supplies, electronic copies, hard copies, or to make a booking for me to come into your classroom with or without students…!