The Project
This project was one left completely to our own ideas and creativity. Assigned with the task of creating some sort of device that could transfer energy from one form to another, we truly had the freedom to produce something original without much limitation. My group finally reached the consensus to create a steam engine, manifesting numerous transfers of energy. The document below provides further information regarding this design process, as well as describing the numerous problems with our machine and the unfortunate end result.
Content
Boiling Water:
Vapor pressure:
Fire:
- Molecules packed together in liquid form
- When heat is added (Bunsen burner) and temperature rises, kinetic energy and molecular movement increases as a direct result
- Reaches boiling point
- temperature at which vapor pressure is equal to the gas pressure above it
- Molecules break free of liquid container into gas in form of steam once molecular movement becomes too high to be contained
Vapor pressure:
- Pressure exerted by a vapor in thermodynamic equilibrium with its condensed phases at a given temperature in a closed system
- Equilibrium vapor pressure is an indication of a liquid's evaporation rate
Fire:
- Results from combustion
- Flames are produced at the ignition point
- Releases more energy than required to sustain
- Produces heat
- Plasma
- Produced when fire releases enough energy to ionize the gaseous atoms
- Primary composition:
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
- Water Vapor ( 2H2O (g) )
- Oxygen (O2)
- Nitrogen(N2)
- Must be present:
- Fuel
- Oxygen
- Energy
- Occurs between a fuel and an oxidizing agent that produces energy, usually in the form of heat and light (Exothermic)
- Happens when fuel and oxidant react to form oxidized products
- Heat production
- Double bond between oxygen atoms in O2 are weaker than the single bonds or other double bonds
- Example
- 2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O(g) (Hydrogen gas+ Oxygen gas→ Water Vapor)
- 4th state of matter
- Production in fire
- Made by heating a gas until its electrons have sufficient energy to escape the hold of the positively charged nuclei
- Made of cations
- Can be found in:
- Television screens
- Fluorescent lights
- Lightning
- Fire
Reflection
Overall, this project was one that had infinite potential but was one of my least favorites due to my personal experience. My group struggled with numerous aspects of the project, but primarily encountered the problems of time management and focus. The design process manifested the issue of having so much freedom, as we struggled to create a design to even begin building. With so many ambitious ideas, we had difficulty concentrating our creativity to an individual topic. This resulted in a late start to the actual creation of the machine. Our time management was also lacking as many of our team members rarely were focused on the task at hand, succumbing to distractions or working on other classwork. Our collaboration was rather weak as a result.
However, my group had many strengths. One of the project's peaks was the communication we shared. We constantly talked outside of class to come prepared for the next day, working diligently individually as we drew closer to the due date to ensure we had an end product. Another strength of my group was my group's character as we worked rather well together due to our shared interests and similar personalities. Overall, this project had its perks, but could have gone much more smoothly if all members were fully committed.
However, my group had many strengths. One of the project's peaks was the communication we shared. We constantly talked outside of class to come prepared for the next day, working diligently individually as we drew closer to the due date to ensure we had an end product. Another strength of my group was my group's character as we worked rather well together due to our shared interests and similar personalities. Overall, this project had its perks, but could have gone much more smoothly if all members were fully committed.