Cetyl Alcohol Lab

Group:

Hannah Klein- Watching Time

Erin White- Recorder

Matt Motill- Temperature

Questions:

1. The melting point was 44 degrees celsius.  We determined this by looking at the data table and noticing that 44 degrees celsius was recorded twice.  It was recorded for the time 3.5 and 4.  This told us that 44 degrees celsius was the plateau which meant that the Cetyl Alcohol was in the liquid phase.

2. The boiling point was 46 degrees celsius.

3. There are many possible errors that could have occured while doing this expirement. For example, if the temperature of the heated water didn't stay at 70 degrees, our results wouldn't be accurate. Also, the position of the testube with the alcohol in it makes a difference, along with the amount of ice in the ice bath.

4. We didn't make many mistakes, however if we had payed closer attention to the temperature of the heated water our results would have been more accurate. Also, if we didn't move the test tube around in either of the water baths, we would have gotten better results. Finally, if the person who read the temperature of the alcohol was the same throughout the expirement, our results would be more accurate.

Overview:
      Today we were seeing what would happen if we put Cetyl alcohol first in a hot water bath at around 70 degrees celcius and then in an ice water bath. We measured the temperature of the alcohol every 30 seconds. We tried to keep everything as consistant as possible. Our procedure was to take two beakers and fill them up with 400 mL of water. One would be heated and the other would have ice added to it. Then once the heated water reached 70 degrees celcius, we put the alcohol in the water and began measuring the temperature of the alcohol every 30 seconds. Once the alcohol reached 60 degrees celcius, we put it in the ice water bath. We kept measuring the temperature of the alcohol until it was back to its room temperature of 25 degrees.

Observations:
     The alcohol was a white solid with a temperature of 25 degrees. However once we put it into the hot water bath, the solid turned into a clear liquid. After when we put it in the cold water bath, the second it made contact with the cold water, it turned back into the white solid. When we were recording the data, we noticed that every 30 seconds, the temperature of the alcohol changed by one degree.

Website Evaluation

The two websites that I use on a daily basis are Blogger.com and AOL.  Blogger.com is a good website to find biased information.  It is useful to post opinions, which makes it an invalid informational site.  For example, on my blog, there is no place to view or contact the author.  Blogs can be written by anyone.  On the other hand, AOL is a valid informational site.  AOL provides articles that are based on fact and tells both sides of the story.  The articles are usually written by professional writers who are experts on the subject.  They are also published on local world news channels.  In conclusion, AOL is a useful site for updated news and Blogger.com is a useful place to locate opinions.

3 Qualities for College

I would want a college to recognize my athletic ability, personality, and hard work.  Sports are a big part of my life and I have worked hard to achieve where I am.  It would be nice if a college could notice my commitment and dedication on a team.  They wouldn't have second thoughts about choosing me for their team and school.  Along with being a dedicated teammate, my personality would be favored by many.  I'm nice, respectful and helpful to everyone.  I might have the impression of being quiet but when people get to know me, they are happy to call me their friend and a teacher would feel that I'm a pleasure to have in class.  Finally, I would want to be recognized for my hard work in school.  I try to give a hundred percent on every assignment that is assigned.  I wish colleges could see the individual work that students do, so they could see the improvements they are making.  I know I grow as a student every year and try to keep consistent grades.  These are the three qualities that I hope colleges recognize when it comes time to choose one.

POGIL'S

The pogils we do in class have been interesting and sometimes fun.  The Kinetic Molecular Theory and Phase Change were fun.  I liked how there were two models to look at.  These are useful for answering the questions and helps me by visually learning it.  I also think it is helpful how they have different sections of questions like: key questions and applications.  This helps me learn the basis of the information and then makes me apply the information to real life scenarios.  However, I do not like how some of the questions are phrased as if you already know the material.  For example, the q=mcdeltaT pogil was really challenging and more examples would have been more helpful.   I would improve these activities by being a leader in my group.  For example, my last group wasn't really on task and it was hard to ask questions.  It seemed like it was an independent activity, instead of a group one.

Making a Difference

The class activity we did on Wednesday was very interesting.  When I went up as an article expert, I was a little nervous but then realized I just had to state my opinion.   The questions we looked at were intriguing to think about and I was able to form my own opinion in my head.  The question that caught my eye was, "whether the U.S. is leading the way in technology or lagging behind?"  I believed we are ahead in technology because of all the new upgrades that come out and the new technology for science that has been built.  For example, the Webb telescope is supposed to go up in space when the Hubble telescope falls from the sky.  This is a perfect example of how we are ahead in technology.  The inventor thought of a plan for something that hasn't even happened yet.  The improvements that are being made through technology also contributes to making a difference in the world.

There are many organizations that come together to make a difference in the world.  Many ideas have been thought of to reach this goal, for example recycling.  This can happen in every town, which will leave the environment clean and wildlife out of danger.  Another example is to help and donate money to the less fortunate.  We can help others by giving them supplies including medicine.  Teachers could be sent to underdeveloped countries and give them an education.  These are all ways we can make a difference but there are still many more.  I made a difference in the lives of children who have cancer.  Once a month, I go to a house where a child with cancer lives and paint their room.  They design it and our group makes it happen.  Seeing the faces on the kids faces just lifts your spirit.  When you are done and you know you did a good deed.

When medicine or technology is improved, there are people who have studied in this field to make the improvements.  If no one graduates in a science field, then technology won't get improved.  The country will not advance and new discoveries will not be made.  We will be stuck with the current technology and not have the ideas of young philosophers to advance.

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Reflection for Quarter One

During the first quarter, I feel like I am doing well in chemistry.  I really enjoy the labs we do, like separating the beads, the drinking bird, and the solar cookers.  The reason I'm doing so well is because I always do my homework and try my best on test and quizzes.  I could probably start participating more and make my blogs more lively.  Also, I should review the vocabulary at home and get familiar with the material.  By getting familiar, will get me ready for the tricky questions on the tests that separates you from a "B" student to an "A" student.  I hope the rest of the year the class stays this interesting and we continue to do fun labs.