Unit Test: Energy

This test was short because we only had a thirty minute time period to complete it. Overall, I felt pretty prepared for it, and I feel like it went well. I was not confident in a couple of my answers, but most of the questions were easy enough for me to understand. I'm excited to get my grade back, and even if it doesn't turn out well, I know that I still have some extra credit from the boat races saved up!

Studying for the Unit Test

Studying for this test was a little more challenging since we didn't have a unit quiz to base our progress off of. Overall, this unit wasn't too difficult though, and the math especially was relatively simple compared to some of the math we had to do early in the semester. I used these resources to study for the unit test in Energy.
Phase Changes
Intermolecular forces
Heat Capacity
Heating and Cooling Curves
Enthalpy

Bozeman Phase Change Video

Specific Heat of a Metal Lab!

This lab consisted of making a boiling hot water bath and heating up a metal in a test tube. The hot metal was then poured into room temperature water, and the temperature of that water was recorded. We used this data to find the specific heat of the metal through our MCAT formulas. This lab was a great practice with using these formulas, but was overall, pretty uneventful.

The lead during the boiling hot water bath

                            

Making Biodiesel

Day 1:

Today we made biodiesel in class with used fryer oil from Chick-fil-A. The fryer oil was a dark brown color that was thick and looked like maple syrup. It smelled like pickles.

First, we had to measure out our oil and base. We then mixed them together and put the mixture on a hot plate with a stirring rod for 25 minutes. The resulting formula looked like a cloudy brown color. After it was done mixing, we poured out the biodiesel, and we saw the separation of the methyl esters and glycerin form.

Day 2:

We separated the glycerin and biodiesel today. We tested and burned the biodiesel and received our engines for out boats.

Biodiesel Video

Last week we had to create a biodiesel infomercial to submit into a regional contest. The contest winners get cash prizes. This is mine and Annie's video.

What Is Biodiesel?

Biodiesel is a renewable, clean-burning diesel replacement made of animal fat, and vegetable products.

It reduces CO2 emittance by almost 50%, which will heal the ozone layer. The product also emits 80% less cancer causing agents into the air.

Biodiesel is made through the process of transesterification which breaks apart vegetable oils or animal fat into two products: glycerin and methyl esters. The produced methyl esters is the biodiesel and is almost equally efficient as regular diesel.

Use biodiesel!

For more information about biodiesel click here