PROJECT Summary:
The chemical dominoes project was a group project in which we were required to create a fun and engaging board game that encompassed several chemical reactions within it's gameplay. Each chemical reaction had to be triggered by a Rube Goldberg style contraption as part of the game. My group and I had to tackle they challenge of combining science and fun in a stylistic and aesthetically pleasing board game.
The GAME:
After much deliberation and brainstorming, we decided on a beach theme for our board game. Our basic design consisted of a board resembling an ocean with small islands surrounding a large volcano in the middle. We named it Chemistry Island Hopper.
How the game was played:
A player would roll a dice and hop from island to island, passing landmarks on the way that each had their own exciting contraptions and chemical reactions. When a player hit a landmark, they triggered a reaction. When all the reactions had been triggered, the player could climb the volcano and end the game with a final reaction. The first player to trigger the volcano would win the game.
How the game was played:
A player would roll a dice and hop from island to island, passing landmarks on the way that each had their own exciting contraptions and chemical reactions. When a player hit a landmark, they triggered a reaction. When all the reactions had been triggered, the player could climb the volcano and end the game with a final reaction. The first player to trigger the volcano would win the game.
Side view of our board game.
|
One of our chemical contraptions.
|
Board game with all contraptions.
|
Materials Used:
-Wooden Board/Blocks
-Paint
-Chicken Wire
-Newspaper
-Mod Podge
-Styrofoam Cups
-Styrofoam
-Wooden Dowels
-Plastic Tube
-Foam Tube
-Plastic Cup
-Plastic Container
-String
-Paper Plate
-Wooden Board/Blocks
-Paint
-Chicken Wire
-Newspaper
-Mod Podge
-Styrofoam Cups
-Styrofoam
-Wooden Dowels
-Plastic Tube
-Foam Tube
-Plastic Cup
-Plastic Container
-String
-Paper Plate
Reactions/Chemicals Used:
Reaction 1 (Decomposition): Potassium Iodide and Hydrogen Peroxide ➜ Hydrogen Peroxide, Water and Potassium Iodide
Safety precautions: Potassium iodide can cause eye and skin irritation. Hydrogen peroxide can cause blurred vision, redness, skin burns and pain.
Reaction 2 (Synthesis): Acetic Acid and Sodium Bicarbonate ➜ Sodium Acetate, Carbon Dioxide and Water
Safety precautions: Acetic acid can cause redness and blisters on skin, loss of vision and pain. Sodium bicarbonate can cause mild eye irritation and sneezing if
inhaled. Sodium acetate can be mildly irritating to the eyes and skin
Reaction 3 (Double Displacement): Copper Nitrate and Ammonium Sulfate ➜ Ammonium Nitrate and Copper Sulfate
Safety precautions: Copper nitrate can cause eye and skin irritation. Ammonium sulfate can also cause eye and skin irritation. Ammonium nitrate can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, may cause skin burns if in contact for a prolonged period of time. Copper sulfate can cause eye and skin irritation
Reaction 4 (Single Displacement): Aluminum and Copper Chloride ➜ Copper and Aluminum Chloride
Safety Precautions: Copper chloride and Aluminum Chloride are corrosive to eyes and skin, can lead to blindness, blistering and coughing.
Reaction 1 (Decomposition): Potassium Iodide and Hydrogen Peroxide ➜ Hydrogen Peroxide, Water and Potassium Iodide
Safety precautions: Potassium iodide can cause eye and skin irritation. Hydrogen peroxide can cause blurred vision, redness, skin burns and pain.
Reaction 2 (Synthesis): Acetic Acid and Sodium Bicarbonate ➜ Sodium Acetate, Carbon Dioxide and Water
Safety precautions: Acetic acid can cause redness and blisters on skin, loss of vision and pain. Sodium bicarbonate can cause mild eye irritation and sneezing if
inhaled. Sodium acetate can be mildly irritating to the eyes and skin
Reaction 3 (Double Displacement): Copper Nitrate and Ammonium Sulfate ➜ Ammonium Nitrate and Copper Sulfate
Safety precautions: Copper nitrate can cause eye and skin irritation. Ammonium sulfate can also cause eye and skin irritation. Ammonium nitrate can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, may cause skin burns if in contact for a prolonged period of time. Copper sulfate can cause eye and skin irritation
Reaction 4 (Single Displacement): Aluminum and Copper Chloride ➜ Copper and Aluminum Chloride
Safety Precautions: Copper chloride and Aluminum Chloride are corrosive to eyes and skin, can lead to blindness, blistering and coughing.
CONTENT:
Element: Substance that cannot be chemically interconverted or broken down into simpler substances.
Compound: Substance formed from two or more elements.
Chemical Reaction: A chemical change that happens when two or more substances react and change to form a new substance or substances.
Synthesis Reaction: Reaction in which simpler compounds or elements are combined to make a more complex compound.
Example: A + B ➜ C
Decomposition Reaction: Reaction in which a more complex compound breaks down into simpler compounds or elements.
Example: AB ➜ A + B
Single Displacement Reaction: Reaction where an element switches places with another element in a compound.
Example: A + BC➜ B + AC
Double Displacement Reaction: Reaction in which the cations of two chemical compounds switch places.
Example: AB + CD ➜ CB + AD
Combustion Reaction: Chemical Reaction in which a hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen and generates heat.
Compound: Substance formed from two or more elements.
Chemical Reaction: A chemical change that happens when two or more substances react and change to form a new substance or substances.
Synthesis Reaction: Reaction in which simpler compounds or elements are combined to make a more complex compound.
Example: A + B ➜ C
Decomposition Reaction: Reaction in which a more complex compound breaks down into simpler compounds or elements.
Example: AB ➜ A + B
Single Displacement Reaction: Reaction where an element switches places with another element in a compound.
Example: A + BC➜ B + AC
Double Displacement Reaction: Reaction in which the cations of two chemical compounds switch places.
Example: AB + CD ➜ CB + AD
Combustion Reaction: Chemical Reaction in which a hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen and generates heat.
REFLECTION:
Like any group project, this one came with many difficulties. One major difficulty was our lack of time. We were constantly trying to keep up with the schedule, and this was difficult due to the small time frame of the project. Another issue was figuring out how to incorporate several separate chemical reactions into one comprehensive board game. Just finding reactions in general proved to be a challenge. However, we also had major victories at the same time. One of these victories was our ability and work together as a team under pressure and get things done fast. Everyone was doing their part quickly and efficiently, even with our limited rime and resources. I think the difficulty of the project pushed us to do better. Another sucess for us was the improvement of our communication. We had a rough start, but by the end, we were able to effectively communicate and coordinate our actions. This was great because it allowed us to make less errors and get things right the first time. Overall, this project proved to be a challenge, but also taught me how to manage my time and work under pressure. These skills helped me a lot during this project, and they may help me for many more to come.