Project Description: My group and I were tasked with creating a chemical board game. We were told that we would be presenting our final product at Family Game Night on Wednesday, December 5th, 2018. Before we began brainstorming we spent a couple weeks learning about different chemical compounds and different ways that substances react with each other. My group decided to base the theme of our game off of a childhood favorite of ours, Candy Land. To begin the brainstorming process we created a blueprint of how our game would be laid out. This included building instructions and what chemical solutions we thought were needed. Before setting up the solutions we focused on constructing the components for our board, game rules, and important pieces like game cards and pieces. After we were done building, we gathered our desired solutions and began the set up for a single replacement reaction, double replacement reaction, production of gas, lighting of an LED, chemical changes of energy, and a physical change of energy. After the majority of the board was complete, we made sure to test each reaction in preparation for Family Game Night.
Reaction 1: Production of a gas For our first reaction, the player who lands on the blue square will have to choose the correct balloon which holds a mixture of two compounds. The correct balloon has a base substance (baking soda) which mixes with vinegar, also known as acetic acid. When these two substances are mixed, they create carbon dioxide. If the player picks the right vile, the carbon dioxide should inflate the balloon. Equation: NaHCO3 + HC2H3O2 → NaC2H3O2 + H2O + CO2 Baking Soda + Acetic Acid yields an Acetate Ion + water + Carbon Dioxide.
Reaction 2: Single Replacement Reaction The player again, must choose between three unknown substances which they think could dissolve the aluminum wrapper of a Hershey´s kiss. If they choose correctly they will end up with Copper Sulfate. Copper Sulfate is the only substance given that can be displaced by the Aluminum because it is more reactive. Equation: 3CuSO4 + 2Al → Al2(SO4)3 + 3Cu Copper sulfate + Aluminum yields Copper Metal + Aluminum Sulfate
Reaction 3: Double Displacement Reaction (1) In order to skip ahead, the player must choose the correct substance to react with the given base, Potassium Iodide. The reactive substance is substance G (Lead Nitrate). Equation: Pb(NO3)2 + 2KI → 2 KNO3 + PbI2 Lead Nitrate + Potassium Iodide yields Potassium Nitrate + Lead Iodide
Reaction 4: Double Displacement Reaction (2) Just like the previous Double Displacement Reaction, the player must choose the correct substance with the given base, Potassium Chromate. The reactive substance is substance D (Copper Sulfate). Equation: Cu2 + CrO4(2-) → CuCrO4(s) Copper Sulfate + Potassium Chromate yields Copper Chromate + Potassium Sulfate
Reaction 5: Lighting of LED In order to win the game the player must find out how to light the LED. The simple solution to this would be unplugging one side connecting to the the aluminum. The aluminum acts as a conductor but if it is not unplugged it continues to block the flow of energy.
Vocabulary: Periodic Table of the Elements: A chart which displays all chemical elements. Element: A substance where all of its atoms have the same amount of protons. Compound: A mixture containing two or more separate elements. Reaction: A process in which reactants of one or more substances are converted to one or more different substances. Single Replacement Reaction: A process in which an element reacts with a certain compound in order to take the place of another element in that compound. Double Displacement Reaction: A process in which two compounds react, causing the positive and negative ions to switch places, forming a new product.
Reflection: I found this project to be interesting and engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed the brainstorming process along with the building that followed. There were no problems with my group as every member worked hard and efficiently. In the beginning I took a lead role which is new to me. I am not usually the type of student to lead the rest of the group and make crucial decisions that will determine my groups success, but I felt that with half of our group out sick I needed to step up. For example, I came up with the idea to incorporate the chemical aspect of the project with the bridges to help speed up game play. I also noticed that my work ethic improved as I stepped into this role. Throughout the project as I spent a significant amount of time improving our work and doing as much as possible to complete it in the time frame allowed. Although I found this project to be mostly positive, I can look back on certain aspects where I may have been able to do even better or improve more. My group struggled to complete the project, given the amount of work days allowed. I feel like I could have shown more involvement by coming in at lunch or during the weekends. I was unable to help my group over one of the weekends. I may have been able to join them, if I had planned ahead. During Family Game Night I felt unprepared compared to the other members in my group. I could have put more time into studying the reactions themselves in hopes of better knowing how they work. During the game night I failed to mention how some of the reactions work. Overall I feel this project was a great way to help further my knowledge on the Elements on the Periodic Table and which elements react to each other.