Physical Science - Chemical Reaction Project
Names___________________________________
Period______________ Date__________________
In this project, you will be working with a partner to identify a chemical reaction, research it,
demonstrate it to the class, and present your findings.
Step 1: Determine your teammate. If necessary or warranted, three-person teams may be assigned.
Part of your grade will be determined by your teamwork and participation.
Step 2: Identify a chemical reaction that will be the focus of your project. There are numerous reactions
to choose from. Some suggestions are listed below, but you are free to identify reactions on your own.
Step 3: Research your reaction. We will be spending one day in the computer lab for the purpose of
doing research on this project. Any additional research required may be done on your own outside of
class. During this research, you will be gathering information about your reaction that you will be
presenting to the class. At a minimum, you should know:






The names and formulas of the reactants in the reaction
The names and formulas of the products in the reaction
The balanced chemical equation
The type of reaction (combustion, synthesis, decomposition, single displacement, or double
displacement)
The energy released or absorbed by the reaction. Is it exergonic or endergonic? Exothermic or
endothermic? Does it produce any other type of energy? Light? Sound?
Is this chemical reaction useful, harmful, or benign? For example, rusting metal is generally a
negative event. An instant ice pack is a desired outcome.
Step 4: Demonstrate your reaction. You have two options, either of which is acceptable:


Perform a live demonstration of your chemical reaction. Note that if you do this, you will be
responsible for obtaining any supplies, though many simple chemical reactions can be created
with common household items such as lemon juice, pennies, milk, vinegar, baking soda, cooking
oil, dish soap, steel wool, eggs, glue, yeast, etc. Also, note that for safety reasons, any live
demonstrations must be prior approved by the teacher. No dangerous chemicals or reactions
will be allowed.
Show a video of your chemical reaction obtained from the internet or some other source. You
may bring in your video on a jump drive and display it from the classroom PC and projector.
Step 5: Present your project to the class. You will have approximately 5 minutes to present your
reaction, including your demonstration/video. You will be expected to present all of the information
you uncovered during your research done in step 3. You may choose to create a poster, create and
display a Powerpoint deck, or present your information in some other manner.
Physical Science - Chemical Reaction Project
Names___________________________________
Period______________ Date__________________
Chemical Reactions Suggestions
Volcano: http://chemistry.about.com/cs/howtos/ht/buildavolcano.htm
Rubber Egg: http://chemistry.about.com/od/madscientistlab/a/rubberegg.htm
Red cabbage PH indicator: http://chemistry.about.com/od/acidsbase1/a/red-cabbage-ph-indicator.htm
Hot Ice: http://chemistry.about.com/od/homeexperiments/a/make-hot-ice-sodium-acetate.htm
Lemon Fizz: http://chemistry.about.com/od/bubbles/a/lemonfizz.htm
Blue copper solution from pennies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF1ls-v7puQ
Steel wool rusting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9qStMND7q8
Borax and white glue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zgYQgQC9II also
http://sadie423.hubpages.com/hub/hands-on-experiments-to-learn-about-chemistry
Yeast, heat producing: http://sadie423.hubpages.com/hub/hands-on-experiments-to-learn-aboutchemistry
Milk and lemon juice: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090710015403AA6WzcZ
Hot hands: http://homechemistry.blogspot.com/2008/03/hand-warmers.html
Burning candle:
Glow stick:
Cold pack:
Cooking:
Photosynthesis:
Respiration:
Striking a match:
Data Sheet:
1. What chemical reaction is your team doing?
2. What is the balanced chemical equation for the reaction?
3. What are the names of the reactants in the chemical equation?
4. What are the names of the products in the chemical equation?
5. What type of reaction is this? (synthesis, decomposition, combustion, single displacement,
double displacement)
6. How did you determine the type of reaction? (by analyzing the equation, by research online,
etc.)
7. Is the reaction endergonic or exergonic? Endothermic or exothermic? Does it absorb or release
energy in any other form (light, sound, …)?
8. How might you experience this chemical reaction in everyday life? Is it a useful reaction? Are
there any negative aspects or problems with the reaction (pollutants released, etc.)?
9. How do you plan to do your demonstration in class? Live or via a video? If you plan to do a live
demonstration, what supplies will you need to procure?
10. How do you plan to present your reaction to the class? Which team member(s) will be
presenting? Which team members will be performing the demonstration? Which team
Physical Science - Chemical Reaction Project
Names___________________________________
Period______________ Date__________________
member will be providing which supplies? Will you have a poster or a Powerpoint deck to
complement your oral presentation?
Physical Science - Chemical Reaction Project
Chemical Reaction Presentation Rubric:
0 points
1 point
Reaction Overview Not
Attempted but
attempted showed little
understanding
of the reaction.
Chemical Reaction
Presentation
Chemical equation
Chemical names
Classification of
chemical reaction
as synthesis,
decomposition,
single
displacement,
double
displacement, or
combustion
Classification of
energy
released/absorbed
by the reaction
Not
present or
not
attempted
Not
present or
not
attempted
Demo
attempted but
failed
No
chemical
names
used to
explain the
reaction.
Not
attempted
Chemical
names used
inconsistently
and may have
contained
some errors.
Attempted but
incorrectly
identified. Did
not
demonstrate
mastery of the
concept.
Not
attempted
Attempted but
incorrectly
identified. Did
not
demonstrate
mastery of the
concept.
Attempted but
poorly
delivered
Poster/Powerpoint Not
deck
attempted
Total
Final Grade
Presented but
with errors.
Names___________________________________
Period______________ Date__________________
2 points
Showed partial
understanding of
the reaction and
mostly explained it
to the audience.
Demo attempted
with partial success
3 points
Showed full
understanding of
the reaction and
clearly explained it
to the audience.
Demo attempted
and completed
successfully
Correct equation
presented but did
not demonstrate
mastery of the
concept.
Chemical names
used consistently
with minimal
errors.
Correctly identified
and demonstrated
mastery of the
concept.
Correctly identified
but did not
demonstrate
mastery of the
concept.
Correctly identified
the type of reaction
and demonstrated
mastery of the
concept.
Correctly identified
but did not
demonstrate
mastery of the
concept.
Correctly identified
the type of reaction
and demonstrated
mastery of the
concept.
Produced but
lacked 1 or more
key details
Thorough graphical
depiction that
complemented the
presentation as a
whole.
Score
Chemical names
used consistently
and correctly.
X5 =
Physical Science - Chemical Reaction Project
Names___________________________________
Period______________ Date__________________