Project:
In this project we were given the task of applying our chemistry knowledge to the problem of water treatment and waste. The goal was to use chemistry to solve a problem our world was facing in water usage. In order to succeed in this project we were meant to take concepts from our recent unit and build on them in a way that gave us a complex understanding of the material. My group, Me, Cooper, and Luke, and Max chose to tackle the behemoth of cheap mass water filtration. We decided the most effective way to help solve this problem was to use our understanding of ions and there separation in filters to create a larger scale version of this technology that could be cheap and good for the environment. This solution was chosen after a multi-step analysis process that gave us a better understanding of the problem and its possible solutions.
Content:
This is our slideshow that we presented to the members of the Rotary Club that were present.
Concepts:
Solution: A liquid mixture in which something is uniformly distributed. This is important due to the understanding of what could be in our water and its amount.
Solute: The smaller(minor) component in a solution. This is the component that we were trying to identify as healthy or not. This could by iron, or Mercury, or hydrogen. Solvent: The larger(major) component in a solution. In our project this is the water, therefore its obviously important for us to understand it. Ionic Bond: A bond made from the need for electrons and therefore the pairing of metals(cations) and non-metals(anions). This is important because Ionic substances are found in water. Molecular Bond: These are covalent bonds made from the sharing of electron pairs. This is important because this is how H2O molecules are made. Bacteria: A small single celled organism that multiplies quickly. This can be found in water and certain kinds and quantities can be dangerous. Virus: Smaller than bacteria and are not cells. Need a host to multiply. They can enter the host through water. pH: The level of hydrogen ions in water, this translates to acidity or alkalinity. This is important because there is a specific range where water is healthy to drink. |
Activated Charcoal: Carbon based substance with very high Surface Area to Volume ratio. This gives it the quality of many binding sites for ions. This was used in the filter we studied.
Ion-Exchange Resin: or ion-exchange polymer is a resin or polymer that acts as a medium for ion exchange. This was also in the filter that we studied.
Ion-Exchange Resin: or ion-exchange polymer is a resin or polymer that acts as a medium for ion exchange. This was also in the filter that we studied.
Brita Filter: The filter that our group focused on and tested.
Reflection:
This project was very effective in expanding my understanding and practical knowledge of the concepts were learned in the unit. I felt that I did well making sure that the project stayed focused on a problem, this to me, falls under Collaboration. There were a few key moment where I felt that I made sure we were all on one page. This to me feels like good Communication. I feel that I sometimes failed in the time management department, this is a challenge for me in becoming a Conscientious learner. I also did not always do the work I was asked to do by my group on time. This seems to me to be a challenge I must overcome to build my Character. In these ways I can develop and grow my learning style in these projects.