The Project:
For this project we had to design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another form of energy. Our group created a thermos with a double-walled outer layer in which a chemical reaction between calcium chloride and water can occur to create heat. This heat layer cradling the outside of the beverage cup can help to maintain the heat of a hot beverage of choice inside the cup throughout the day. In our product, energy is being transferred from chemical energy to thermal energy.
Presentation:
Proof of Efficacy Document:
Content:
Chemical energy
Chemical energy is energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds, like atoms and molecules. This energy is released when a chemical reaction takes place.
thermal energy
Thermal energy is the energy that comes from heat. This heat is generated by the movement of tiny particles within an object.
q=mcΔt
This equation relates energy lost or gained in a reaction to the mass, specific heat and temperature change of a given system.
Endothermic Reactions
An endothermic reaction is one in which the system gains energy in the form of heat. Simply, the heat of the products is greater than that of the reactants.
exothermic reactions
An exothermic reaction is the opposite of an endothermic reaction it's when the system loses energy in the form of heat. Simply, the heat of the products is less than that of the reactants.
calorimeter
A calorimeter is a device used to measure the heat within a chemical reaction. In our lab, we used a coffee cup and a thermometer to act as a calorimeter to observe temperature changes of various reactions.
Specific Heat capacity
An object's specific heat capacity is its ability to retain heat. It is defined as the required heat to raise a given mass of a substance by a certain degree amount.
Reflection:
Overall, this project was worthwhile but not as valuable as it could have been. Our prior lab, the calorimeter lab, used the same chemical reaction, so we weren't challenging ourselves and learning something about a different reaction and different types of energy, such as electrical energy or light energy. Our group did get along very well and collaboratively, and we were pleased with our final product. One struggle, however, was that a group member was absent for a good portion of the project. Unfortunately, she had our product in her possession, so we never actually got to see it in action. Because of this, presenting was particularly frustrating, as we intended to show the product working. Instead, we could only use the knowledge from and results of our tests to predict product success. Another problem was that we first ran all the tests without writing down a lot of the data. Then, when it came down to preparing our presentation, we had to go back and redo all of the tests to make sure we had accurate and specific data to use for a table and some graphs. We did repeat the tests with greater efficiency, however; the second time, we opted to split the different steps evenly so the entire process would go faster. For instance, one person got the supplies, another wrote the data, and I graphed it. I liked this project and our final outcome, but if I could do it again, I'd choose a different type of energy transfer in order to gain more experience and knowledge from the project.