Science - SNC 2P
Unit 2: Chemistry
Activity 5: Everyday Chemical Reactions
Overview
In this Activity, you will investigate chemical reactions encountered in everyday life and their practical
applications. You will see how important chemistry is in everyday life and how it can be practically
applied to the decisions that we make. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate an understanding
of how chemical reactions relate to technological products and processes commonly encountered in
everyday life. You will research the methods of chemical disposal used in Canada and the
environmental and individual health and safety consequences of inappropriate disposal methods
(e.g., examine the effects of dumping car batteries, tires, plastics, paints, or metals in landfill sites).
Expectations
Overall Expectations:
CHV.02P investigate chemical reactions encountered in everyday life and their practical applications;
CHV.03P demonstrate an understanding of how chemical reactions relate to technological products
and processes commonly encountered in everyday life.
Specific Expectations:
CH2.04P through investigations and applications of basic concepts select and integrate information
from various sources, including electronic, print, and community resources, to answer the questions
chosen;
CH3.03P relate chemical reactions (including the rates of reactions) to familiar processes
encountered in everyday life (e.g., acid-base reactions in film processing, food processing, fabric and
hair dyeing, agriculture, wine making, pulp-and-paper and mineral processing) and identify careers
that require knowledge of such processes (e.g., environmental engineering, swimming-pool
maintenance);
CH3.04P research the methods of chemical disposal used in Canada and the environmental and
individual health and safety consequences of inappropriate disposal methods (e.g., examine the
effects of dumping car batteries, tires, plastics, paints, or metals in landfill sites).
Content
Many things that we use every day are the result of chemical reactions. The chemical industry has
grown as a result, and created millions of jobs and much economic growth. However, the industry has
also caused much damage to the environment. 55% of electricity is generated by burning coal. This is
one of the most polluting industries on Earth. The most common way to remove gold from ore is the
use of cyanide. The cyanide then enters the water table around the mine and causes major ecological
damage. Chemicals, even when handled properly, can still spill as a result of accidents.; We need to
be aware of what we are using, and how those decisions affect those around us. As Catholics, we
must always try to see beyond the narrow world we know, and consider the global implications of
what we do. What will happen to the computer you are using right this second, when you decide to
upgrade to a newer one, with more fancy options? Did you know that many electronics eventually end
up in dumps in developing countries, where the chemicals they contain cause cancer among the poor
who scavenge them for parts? Many electronics are “disposable”. That is, they cost so much to repair
that it is cheaper and easier to buy new ones. Think about that the next time you make a purchase.
Think about it the next time you throw something out.
Many household products are safe, but others can react violently and dangerously when used (or
mixed with others). Take a look in your cleaning cupboard and look at the labels. You will see a
variety of symbols that indicate the level of hazard that each substance poses. Read the label of the
toilet bowl cleaner. Many of them (not all, but many) specify that they are not to be mixed with other
cleaners. That is because they often contain other more reactive chemicals, like bleach. If bleach is
mixed with vinegar (an ingredient of many window cleaners and tile cleaners), chlorine gas is
produced. That can kill you, and kill you quickly! So follow the instructions! Oven cleaners are strong
bases, and are corrosive if gotten on the skin. They often produce strong, caustic fumes as well, and
you are instructed to use them in well-ventilated areas to prevent harm.
Sometimes we choose cleaners because they react with other substances. Some chemicals dissolve
grease. Others can dissolve rust and mineral deposits.
Products in the home vary with regards to the risks they pose. The following is a list of the more
common symbols you find on household products:
This symbol means that a product can explode. Do you have any cans of air
freshener in your house? If so, you will most likely find this symbol. It can be
inside a red octagon, indicating the highest level of danger, an orange diamond,
indicating a moderate level of danger (warning) or a yellow inverted triangle,
indicating caution.
This symbol warns us that the product is flammable. Do you have any hair
spray? Look for this symbol on the label. The level of risk is also indicated by
the shape and colour of the symbol border, like the symbol above.
Again, this image can be found inside a red octagon, indicating the highest level
of danger, an orange diamond, indicating a moderate level of danger (warning)
or a yellow inverted triangle, indicating caution. It warns of poisonous effects.
Take a look underneath the kitchen or bathroom sink. You may find a few
cleaners with this label.
Sometimes this symbol is used, and sometimes a skeletal hand dipped in a
square jug is used. Both indicate that a substance is corrosive. Again, the
colour and shape of the border indicates the level of risk.
WHMIS:
Some day you will have a job, and there will be chemicals around the workplace, even if you do not
use them directly. There will be cleaners for the washrooms and the lunchroom. You may be working
even more directly with chemicals, depending on your specific job. You need to know how to handle
them to keep yourself and others safe.
WHIMS stands for “Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System”. It is a system that was put
in place by the government to ensure that hazardous chemicals are identified and to ensure that
employees have the training they need to handle the chemicals safely.
You may use some substances that are not considered dangerous, but may still cause chemical
reactions. A baker, for example, uses yeast to cause dough to rise. This is the result of a chemical
reaction, but yeast is not labelled according to WHMIS. The oven cleaner, used after the dough is
baked, is considered dangerous due to the potential chemical reactions that it can cause. Chemicals
that are considered dangerous are known as controlled substances. Only these must be labelled and
identified according to the WHMIS standards.
WHMIS requires that products be labelled according to the risk they pose.
This symbol indicates a compressed gas. Compressed gases can explode if
heated or if the container is punctured. An example would be a container of hair
spray or Lysol.
This symbol means that the chemical is flammable and will burn fairly easily if
placed near a source of ignition, such as a stove or match. An example in your
home would be alcohol.
This symbol indicates the presence of an oxidizing substance. That means that
this type of chemical will make a fire burn hotter, longer and faster if the
chemical is brought into contact with other combustible material. You are not
too likely to have this sort of chemical in your house. An example would be
perchloric acid.
This symbol means that a chemical is poisonous. An example in your home
would be rat poison and bug spray.
This symbol indicates that a chemical is toxic. That means that it is poisonous,
but it might not kill you. It might cause skin irritation, or it could have long term
effects, such as causing cancer or birth defects in your children years from now.
Cleaning products used to contain benzene, but no longer do as a result of the
toxic hazards.
You may have seen this symbol the last time you were at the doctor’s office or
in the hospital. This indicates the presence of bio-hazardous material, such as
used needles and dirty bandages.
This means that a chemical is corrosive and will damage skin and tissue upon
contact. It is used to label strong acids (like battery acid) and strong bases, like
some types of industrial cleaners.
This symbol means that the chemical can undergo a dangerous reaction if
subjected to heat, pressure, shock, or allowed to contact water. Some
examples are nitro-glycerine and dry sodium (found in your school chemistry
lab!)
The backbone of WHMIS is the Materials Safety Data Sheet, or MSDS. All information about
handling, storage, reactivity, spills and exposures are listed here. They are detailed and contain much
more information than the product label. They list every ingredient used in the product, in case there
is something that will react with another chemical when mixed. All employers are required to keep an
updated copy of the MSDSs for all chemicals used in the workplace. This binder must be in a central
location, accessible to all employees. One of the pieces of information contained on the MSDS is the
TLV, or Threshold Limit Value. This is the airborne concentration of a material to which nearly
everyone can be exposed day after day, without adverse effects.
Click on the following link for a more detailed list of the terms used by WHMIS.
http://www.coop.engr.uvic.ca/engrweb/whmis/terms.html
Questions
Click on the following link for a quiz on WHMIS.
http://www.coop.engr.uvic.ca/engrweb/whmis/quiz.html
Resources
1. http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/
2. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/occup-travail/whmis-simdut/index_e.html/
3. http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/legisl/msds_lab.html
Assignment
Look around your home and choose ten different food products, cosmetics, household cleaners or
other household chemicals. Using the label and the Internet, Complete the following chart. If you
don’t have enough room copy the chart into your notebook.
Name of Producer
product of product
Nonchemical
ingredients
Main
chemical
ingredients
Chemical
Other possible
pH of product
formulae of
names (if any) for
(can be
main chemical the main chemical determined using
ingredients
ingredients
the Internet)
Complete the assignment and submit your work to your teacher.
Assignment
Choose one product that is acidic and another that is basic. What would happen if they were mixed?
What would the products be? Using the Internet, find the equation of the reaction.
Journal
In paragraph form discuss how WHMIS would apply to three products on your list. How would they be
labeled? Find the MSDS for at least one of the products.
Rubric
Household Products: What Are They And What They Can Do
Expectations: CHV.01P, CHV.02P, CH1.01P, CH1.02P, CH1.08P, CH2.04P, CH2.06P, CH2.07P
Criteria:
Level 1
(50% - 59%)
Level 2
(60% - 69%)
Level 3
(70% - 79%)
Level 4
(80% - 100%)
Exhibits a poor
understanding of all
aspects of chemical
reactions that relate
to their balancing
Exhibits an
acceptable
understanding of
chemical reactions;
has limited
understanding of
conservation of mass
and balancing
equations
Through the use of
balanced equations,
exhibits a good
understanding of
chemical reactions,
including the
conservation of mass
Through the use of balanced
equations, exhibits excellent
understanding of chemical
reactions, including the
conservation of mass
Knowledge
Demonstrate an
understanding of
chemical reactions
Describe the
reactants and
products of a
variety of chemical
reactions
Descriptions are
limited or lack
relevance to the
investigation(s)
Name and write the
formula for
common ionic and
molecular
compounds
Can name a few of
the formulae of
common ionic and
molecular
compounds, but
makes many errors
writing them out
Observations are
accurate but
Observations are complete and
incomplete; student
Observations are
accurate; a clear description is
is able to describe
complete and accurate;
presented, using these
the reactants and
a clear description is
observations about the
products of a variety presented, using these
reactants and products of a
of chemical reactions observations about the
variety of chemical reactions;
or is able to
reactants and products
goes beyond the investigations
identify/categorize
of the four main types of
to make other connections or
the type of chemical
chemical reactions
extend thinking
reaction with some
accuracy
Can identify some of
Can identify some of the
the formulae of
formulae of common
common ionic and
ionic and molecular
molecular
compounds, and makes
compounds, but
very few errors writing
makes some errors
them out
writing them out
Can name and write the
formula of common ionic and
molecular compounds without
errors
Provides limited
Provides some
Provides sufficient
analysis of the data;
analysis of the data,
analysis of the data,
demonstrates limited demonstrates some
draws valid conclusions
ability to draw
ability to draw
based on the data;
conclusions based on conclusions based on
identifies and explains
the data; has difficulty
the data; identifies
some sources of errors
identifying sources of
some sources of
and/or bias
errors and/or bias
errors and/or bias
Provides rich analysis of the
data, draws insightful
conclusions based on the data;
identifies and explains sources
of errors and/or bias
Inquiry
Analyse data and
information and
evaluate evidence
and sources of
information
Requires constant
reminders to follow
WHMIS safety
procedures, care for
the work station and
for the handling,
storage, recycling of
wastes
Requires some
reminders to follow
WHMIS safety
procedures, care for
the work station and
for the handling,
storage, recycling of
wastes
Follows WHMIS safety
procedures for the
handling, storage,
recycling, learning-up
and disposal of waste
products; may need the
occasional reminder
Routinely follows WHMIS
safety, clean-up and disposal
of waste products
Demonstrate the
skills required to
collect data
Collects data that is
incomplete and/or
inaccurate
Collects data with
minor inaccuracies
Competently collects
accurate data
Accurately collects data
including ancillary information
Use scientific
nomenclature to
identify common
consumer products
Is able to identify
common consumer
products; frequently
inappropriately uses
scientific
nomenclature
Is able to identify
common consumer
products; attempts to
use appropriate
scientific
nomenclature
Uses scientific
nomenclature, with few
errors, to identify
common consumer
products
Precisely and appropriately
uses scientific nomenclature to
identify common consumer
products
Select and
integrate
information from
various sources
Has difficulty finding
information to define
the topic; reads,
views and lists two or
more sources; selects
topical textual and
graphic information;
incompletely or
inaccurately
documents sources
when preparing a
bibliography
Selects some
appropriate
information; reads,
views and lists
several sources;
sometimes
completely or
accurately
documents sources
and prepares a
bibliography but
some items are
incompletely or
inaccurately cited
Apply WHMIS
safety procedures
Communication
Explores many sources
of information; reads,
views and lists a variety Consistently reads, views and
of sources; evaluates
lists a variety of sources;
and selects information skilfully evaluates and selects
for relevance, point of information for relevance, point
view and currency;
of view, currency, lack of bias
completely and
and authority; completely and
accurately prepares a
accurately documents and
bibliography in
credits sources all of the time
appropriate form most of
the time