Project Description:
The main goal of this project was to create a Rube Goldberg machine containing chemical reactions. We were able to incorporate multiple chemical reactions. We had previously learned about many of these reactions in a variety of labs that we did in class. This process took a lot of planning as well as a large amount of trial and error. Unfortunately we were unable to incorporate some of our original ideas because we were unable to execute them properly.
The main goal of this project was to create a Rube Goldberg machine containing chemical reactions. We were able to incorporate multiple chemical reactions. We had previously learned about many of these reactions in a variety of labs that we did in class. This process took a lot of planning as well as a large amount of trial and error. Unfortunately we were unable to incorporate some of our original ideas because we were unable to execute them properly.
The Chemical Reactions
1. Sodium bicarbonate and acetic acid (baking soda and vinegar)
In our first step, we had to find a way to make a balloon expand in order to raise a lever. While we experimented with many different methods, we found that baking soda and vinegar worked the most efficiently. We experimented with different amounts of each substance until we reached consistent results. As the two reactants mix, they form carbon dioxide gas (CO2). This gas then fills the balloon and moves the lever.
NaHCO3 + CH3COOH ----> CO2 + H2O + Na + CH3COO
2. Elephant Toothpaste
Our second step included using elephant toothpaste. In order to complete this reaction we used dish soap, water, yeast, and hydrogen peroxide. We used warm water to activate the yeast. The yeast then served as a catalyst by speeding up the reaction. The soap allowed many small bubbles to be formed.
2H2O2 + Enzyme(yeast) ---> 2H2O + O2
3. Copper Chloride and Aluminum
Our final step included corroding aluminum foil with aqueous copper chloride in order to turn off a LED lightbulb. We decided to turn off the lightbulb because our previous designs that were meant to turn on the bulb were not working. We set up a circuit with a 9 volt battery, alligator clips, foil, and an LED light. As the aluminum foil degraded, the circuit became incomplete; therefore, it turned off the light. This reaction works by creating a gas which can be seen through bubbles, and copper.
In our first step, we had to find a way to make a balloon expand in order to raise a lever. While we experimented with many different methods, we found that baking soda and vinegar worked the most efficiently. We experimented with different amounts of each substance until we reached consistent results. As the two reactants mix, they form carbon dioxide gas (CO2). This gas then fills the balloon and moves the lever.
NaHCO3 + CH3COOH ----> CO2 + H2O + Na + CH3COO
2. Elephant Toothpaste
Our second step included using elephant toothpaste. In order to complete this reaction we used dish soap, water, yeast, and hydrogen peroxide. We used warm water to activate the yeast. The yeast then served as a catalyst by speeding up the reaction. The soap allowed many small bubbles to be formed.
2H2O2 + Enzyme(yeast) ---> 2H2O + O2
3. Copper Chloride and Aluminum
Our final step included corroding aluminum foil with aqueous copper chloride in order to turn off a LED lightbulb. We decided to turn off the lightbulb because our previous designs that were meant to turn on the bulb were not working. We set up a circuit with a 9 volt battery, alligator clips, foil, and an LED light. As the aluminum foil degraded, the circuit became incomplete; therefore, it turned off the light. This reaction works by creating a gas which can be seen through bubbles, and copper.
Reflection:
I personally found this project very frustrating. It seemed as if everything we wanted to do just wouldn't work no matter how hard we tried. We worked for several days on creating a chemical battery out of salt water, cloth, copper, and tin, but we were disappointed when we weren't able to make it work. If we had more time for this project, I believe that our group would have seen better results. Through doing this project I learned that communication in key in projects such as these, and that we should have multiple ideas in case some don't work. Two things I think that I did well were getting materials efficiently, and cleaning all the messes we made very thoroughly. Two things that we could have worked on were time management, and better planning. For example, we shouldn't have spent so much time on the chemical battery because it took time away from the rest of our project.