Modeling and Comparing Fossil Fuel and Biofuel Combustion

Modeling and Comparing Fossil Fuel and Biofuel Combustion

Click to enlarge

Modeling and Comparing Fossil Fuel and Biofuel Combustion

SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS/PROCESSES

Chemical reactions that release energy, such as the burning of fuels, occur all around us.
A specific chemical reaction results in consistent and unavoidable products.
The physical and chemical properties of compounds, such as stored energy, are related to the structure of the molecule.
Decisions about new research and technology, such as those related to energy issues, involve assessment of alternatives, risks, costs, and benefits. Students should understand the costs and trade-offs of various decisions.

In Part A of this activity, students use LAB-AIDS® Molecular Models to build methane, ethanol, and octane molecules then "combust" them with oxygen molecules. "Combusting" the model molecules helps students determine the balanced chemical equations for the combustion reactions and compare the amount of carbon dioxide released when these three fuels are burned

In Part B students use standard bond energies to calculate and compare the amount of energy released during the combustion reactions they modeled in Part A. They are then asked to use their data about the energy released and the CO2 produced to choose which fuel they think is better.

Each Kit provides materials for 12 student teams of 2-3 students.

Contents List

1 Teachers Guide
28 Student Worksheet and Guides
12 LAB-AIDS Molecular Modeling Sets, each containing:

10 Carbon Atoms (black sphere with 4 pegs)
20 Hydrogen Atoms (white cylinder with 1 peg)
26 Oxygen Atoms (blue cylinder with 2 pegs)
45 Covalent Bonds (white tube)

Catalog # LA38

Shipping Weight 5.00 lbs

Our price: $86.50

Quantity

Modeling and Comparing Fossil Fuel and Biofuel Combustion

Categories