Classifying Chemical Reactions Lab
In this lab, we had to conduct different reactions, such as lighting a magnesium ribbon on fire, and then identify whether the reaction was a single, double, combination, decomposition or combustion reaction. There were 8 reactions we had to conduct and while conducting, we had to write down observations of appearances of reactants and evidence of chemical reactions. Then using the reactions, we had to identify the type of reaction. In the post lab, we had to write equations for each reaction and balance them. In the lab, I had accurately identified what type of reaction each reaction was and balanced the equations correctly. The things I got out of the lab were learning to create balanced equations from reactions and gaining the skill to identify the different types of reactions.
Airbag Activity
In the Airbag Activity, groups had to create an ideal airbag, using stoichiometry and create our own procedure. The topics that were covered in the lab were balancing equations and stoichiometry. In the lab, we had to mix baking soda and vinegar to produce carbon dioxide in the sandwich bag. While we were given the amount of vinegar that would be used in liters, the amount of baking soda was unknown, so we had to use stoichiometry and use the liters to grams conversion (L-->moles-->grams) to figure out the amount of baking soda used; in my group, we found that we needed to use 2.68 grams of baking soda. Then after figuring out the amount of baking soda, we had to create our own procedure. After completing the procedure, our teacher did the pinch test on the airbag and it was determined that our airbag was ideally inflated, meaning our results were consistent. There were two things I got out of this activity; the first thing was to use stoichiometry in real life application. The other thing I learned was to do a lab without a step by step procedure; the lab the first inquiry based lab we have ever done in class.