The Many Different Arrangements of Elements (feat. Chemistry) - (3/27 - 3/30)

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Summary:

     Atoms can be arranged in different ways which change how they act with other arrangements of atoms. An element is a type of atom. A pure substance has a definite (all the same) physical and chemical properties. A compound is a pure substance- it has a definite composition of atoms, but in addition to that, it can also not be separable and must be chemically bonded. However, a mixture is the opposite of a compound; it has various compositions, is easily separable, and is not chemically bonded. There are two types of mixtures: homogeneous mixtures and heterogeneous mixtures. A heterogeneous mixture is a mixture that is not the same throughout and is considered the least mixed. If it is uniform throughout, it is a homogeneous mixture, as long as it can still be separated by physical means. Two other different types of arrangements of atoms are colloids and solutions. Solutions are a homogeneous mixture that is created when a substance dissolves in another. A colloid has particles that are mixed together, but are not dissolved and has its particles permanently suspended.

SP3 - Conducting Investigations: 

     This week I conducted investigations on which compounds and elements to mix as reactants in order to create a product which was usually salt, heat, fire or a different element. I identified my variables and controls. My variables were the three or less reactants that had to be in the mixing chamber and my controls were only to add/remove heat. I designed and performed experiments to test my hypotheses. I usually thought that to make the product, you would need elements and compounds as reactants that had the components of the product and this usually the case. If my hypotheses did not work, I used other elements as reactants that had the same components as the required product or tried mixing elements to yield new products that could be used as reactants. I decided to collect data. The data contained what product I needed to create, the reactants that I had, and the formula needed to create the product. 

XCC - Cause and Effect:

     One cause and effect relationship that I have identified in the past is about chemical reactions. Many everyday events happen due to chemical reactions. Due to chemical reactions simultaneously happening in the body, digestion can happen which is necessary for energy. Chemical reactions also cause the result of medicines and vaccines being made  which have increased humanity's lifespan. On the flip-side, chemical reactions also cause fires which produce harmful gases. These are a few examples of how chemical reactions cause everyday occurrences.