Activity 1

Activity 1: Scientific Method and States of Matter

We will begin our exploration of chemistry by conducting some simple experiments. The purpose of the experiments is to provide an opportunity for us to gain practical experience with the scientific process. Along with these experiments, we will then explore the states of matter for water and the chemical make-up and characteristics of water. Before completing this activity, I suggest you read the Content Slides: Intro to Chemistry on D2L.

To complete this activity each student it to design, conduct, and report on an experiment and answer the following questions. There is no set procedure for this. This activity is designed for students to think about and create an experiment.

Here are three experimental questions to answer:

1. Does hot water or cold water freeze faster? This is experiment 1.

2. Does hot water or cold water boil faster? This is experiment 2. 

3. Does salt water freeze faster or slower than regular water? This is experiment 3.

Questions/Items to then include in you blog posting for this activity:

1. Pictures of your experimental materials and setup.

For Experiment 1

For Experiment 3

For Experiment 2.

The sink was used in all experiments.  

The freezer was used in experiments 1 and 3.

2. Your hypothesis to the questions posed.
Experiment  1: I believed that the cold water would freeze faster since the hot water would have to cool down to be the same temperature  as the cold water.
Experiment 2: I believe that the hot water would be able to boil faster because the cold water will have to use energy to heat up to be as warm as the warm water.
Experiment 3: I believe that normal water will freeze faster since salt is used to make the roads safe in winter.

3. Data in the form of a graph or table









4. Show data of experiment repeated

Eperiement  with Freezing Water
	Cold  Water up to the Minute	Hot Water up to the Minute	Room Temp. Water up to the Minute
	2.01	2.02	2.16
	1.01	2.16	2.16
	1.2	1.35	2.2
	1	2.16	2.2
	1.34	1.3	2.3
Average Time:	1.312	1.798	2.204

Experiment with Freezing Salt Water
	Salt Water up to the Minute	Normal Water up to the Minute
	3.2	2.16
	3	2.16
	3.4	2.16
	3.16	2.22
	3.34	2.4
Average Time:	3.22	2.22
* Salt  water didn’t freeze the same
as normal water.

Experiment with Boiling Water
	Cold Water Up to Second	Hot Water Up to Seconds	Room Temp. Water Up to Seconds
	3.02	1.5	1.49
	2.46	1.56	2.06
	2.4	2.13	2.28
	3.15	2	2.21
	3.15	2.05	2.29
Average Time:	2.836	1.848	2.066

5. List your controlled variables for your experiment

Experiment 1:Room temp. water
Experiment 2: Room temp. water
Experiment 3: The normal water 

6. Formulate a theory that answers the questions posed.
Experiment 1: The cold water freezes faster because it uses less energy to get to a colder temperature.
Experiment 2:  The hot water boiled faster because it uses less energy to heat up.
Experiment 3: The salt water freezes way slower because salt is a soild and  the salt particles are already a solid and so the water has trouble freezing around them.

7. Image of the atoms that make up water molecules.

8. Video or animation that shows how water molecules are arranged in the three states of matter for water. http://youtu.be/s-KvoVzukHo

9. Describe the scientific method/process and how each step correlates to your own experiments.

I looked at the experiment  and set it up and then I came up with what a thought a possible hypothesis would be and I did the experiments. I recorded the data and then since my hypothesis was right I did not have to do it again. Then, I came up with a theory why this happened.