Physical Science
Chemistry Research Project
Part I - Building Blocks
What atoms are in your reaction? Discuss the similarities and differences of your atoms, including all
physical and chemical properties. Are they metals, semimetals, or nonmetals? A table may be the best
way to compare and contrast in a formal report, but it is not the only way. Discuss the history of our
knowledge of all of your elements. When were they discovered, and by whom? What have they been
used for in science, industry, art, etc.? Find a modern product that would not exist without your
element, preferably something that affects your life. Are they one of the elements of life? Provide an
example of a macromolecule (lipid, carbohydrate, or nucleic acid) for each of your elements of life.
Pick one of your atoms and draw a diagram. Be sure to include information about the atom: number of
protons, neutrons, electrons, valence electrons, atomic number, atomic mass, and common isotopes.
What groups are your elements in? What other elements have the same chemical properties as your
elements? Look in your textbook or online to find examples of diagrams of atoms. You may want to
pick one of the smaller elements, but don’t pick hydrogen, because it is too small.
Finally, draw dot diagrams for each element in your reaction.
Part II – Molecules and Compounds
First, we need to know what our reactants will produce. What type of reaction will take place? Use your
knowledge of chemistry to predict the products of the reaction. Write the chemical formulas for the
products of the reaction. What are the chemical names of all of your compounds?
Now that you know all of the compounds in your reaction, make a table of the physical properties of
each compound in your reaction. Note similarities and differences between the properties of each
compound. Discuss the similarities and differences between the properties of the individual elements
and the compounds. Should we expect them to be similar? Are the properties of the reactants similar
to the properties of the products? Should we expect them to be? What types of molecules are in your
reaction, and what types of bonds do they form? Are your compounds mixtures, pure substances, or
solutions? Are your compounds polar or nonpolar? Are your compounds organic or inorganic? How do
you know?
Are there any polyatomic ions in your reaction? Name then, describe their charge, draw their dot
diagrams, and discuss common uses. Are there any double or triple covalent bonds? Are there any
diatomic elements in your reaction? Are there any acids or bases in your reaction? Discuss the strength
of each acid or base. Discuss what will happen if you make a solution out of the acid or base. What
would happen to litmus paper exposed to your compounds? Find an example of a way to neutralize
your acids and bases.
For all compounds in your reaction, discuss the history of our knowledge of the compound. When were
they discovered, and by whom? What have they been used for in science, industry, art, etc? Find a
modern product that would not exist without the compound. Cite your sources using MLA format.
Draw dot diagrams for all reactants and products in your reaction. See pp. 184-197 in your textbook for
examples of dot diagrams for molecules.
Part III – The Reaction
Discuss the chemical properties of each compound in your experiment. What type of reaction will
occur? Which bonds will be broken and which new bonds will form? Is the reaction exothermic or
endothermic? Do the compounds need to be in solution?
Write the complete, balanced chemical equation for your reaction.
Using your reaction, pick quantities (in grams) of your compounds that will be consistent with the
Principle of Conservation of Matter (Mass). This is an example, and the quantities chosen will not be
used in the actual experiment.
Draw a reaction dot diagram showing the movement of the valence electrons during the reaction. Be
sure to include the charges for any ions.
Make predictions about what will happen during your experiment. What evidence of a chemical
reaction do you expect to see? What physical changes do you expect to see during the experiment?
Find information on the activation energy for your reaction. How can you provide energy to start your
chemical reaction, if necessary? In your discussion, include a graph showing the relationship between
activation energy and heat released or absorbed for exothermic or endothermic reactions. (See p. 236)
Part IV – The Experiment
Now, you get to actually perform the experiment! When you are done with the initial report, I will
provide you with information for the experiment.
Citing Sources
Cite your sources. Citations can be created at: http://www.citationcreation.com/mla/website.html You
are free to use MLA format, or you can use a simplified form of in-text citations; for example, “Dr.
Horowitz states that Georg Brandt discovered cobalt” (2). The (2) is the citation number. On your
“Works Cited” page, simply number the citations according to the number in the paper.
Experiment Notes
Make careful observations, and describe any changes in energy that occur during the reaction. Does the
test tube feel hot or cold? Would this be evidence of a exothermic or endothermic reaction?
Conservation of Matter
If they are solutions, what is their concentration?
Describe any physical changes that happen during the experiment.
Describe any chemical changes that happen during the experiment.
Physical Science
Chemistry Research Project Reactions
1) K2(CrO4) + Ag(NO3)
2) KI + Pb(NO3)2
3) Ba(NO3)2 + Na2SO4
4) Ba(NO3)2 + Al2(SO4)3
5) MgCl2 + Na(OH)
6) BaCl2 + K2CrO4
7) HCl + Zn
8) Ag(NO3) + NaCl
9) (NH4)Cl + Na(OH)