For this project, we were assigned to create a board game or Rube Goldberg while incorporating chemical reactions. We were required to include a single and double replacement reaction, physical and chemical changes of energy, formation of a gas, and show the lighting of an LED. The game also needed to attract kids from ages 9-11. My group chose to go towards the set up of a normal board game and away from a Rube Goldberg machine. The set up of our game was inspired by the game of Candyland.
We chose the theme of our board game to be based on the movie Up. Each reaction related to the necessary components of an ideal movie theater experience. Our board game was decorated with the features of the movie: the ballon house, different characters, and a movie poster.
Instructions and Safety Precautions
Components of Our Game
Playing Pieces (4)
Reactions Single Replacement- represents chocolate malt balls (aluminum and copper chloride) 2Al(s) + 3CuCl2(aq) → 2AlCl3(aq) + 3Cu(s) In a single-replacemnt compound, one element replaces a similar element in a compound. Aluminum is more active than copper. We know this because it is found higher in the Activity Series. When solid aluminum is placed in an aqueous copper chloride solution, the aluminum replaces the copper. Solid copper and aqueous aluminum chloride are formed.
Double Replacement- represents liquid butter for popcorn (potassium iodide and lead nitrate) 2KI(aq) + Pb(NO3)2(aq) → 2KNO3(aq) + PbI2(s) A double replacement reaction is when ions of two compounds exchange places in an aqueous solution to form two new compounds. One of the compounds formed is usually a precipitate and the other compound is often soluble that remains dissolved in the new solution. The yellow precipitate lead iodide forms is when an aqueous solution of potassium iodide and lead nitrate are combined. The state of the new compound are determined by following the Solubility Guidelines. Ions can either have little to no exceptions when compounded with other ions making them solid or aqueous. Potassium and nitrate remain as aqueous solutions in this reaction.
Production of Gas- represents the balloons in the movie Up (sodium bicarbonate and acetic acid.) NaHCO3(s) + HC2H3O2(aq) → NaC2H3O2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g) In some double replacement reactions, one or more of the products is an insoluble gas that bubbles out of the mixture. We used vinegar instead of pure acetic acid because it is safer to use. About 3% of acetic acid is in vinegar which gives it its distinct smell. the rest of the vinegar is composed of water. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) reacts with acetic acid (vinegar) to form sodium acetate.and water. Carbon dioxide is released which causes the ballon to inflate.
Reflection
I wasn't a big fan of this project when it was first presented to me. Creativity is not my strongest area, and this project required lots of it. However, I found myself to be more involved in the visual components of the game rather than the chemistry ones. It was very difficult to come up with all these factors that revolved around one single theme. We successfully accomplished our challenge but it made us think outside the box. One thing I've grown in during this experience has been my creativity. It has difficult to come up with unique ideas but I realized that I had a lot of them. Another peak from this project was our organization. We would always go over what we wanted to achieve at the beginning of the day so we could use it as a guideline. This helped us stay on a good schedule and helped us stay on task. For future projects what we can improve on is communication within the group and being prepared for presentation nights.