Modeling the Behavior of Chemical Compounds in Water

Modeling the behavior of chemical compounds in water

Models are important tools in chemists’ repertoire. Models are representations that help provide useful explanation of natural phenomenon. Many people are familiar with common every-day models, such as model cars and airplanes, but chemical models are quite different. In chemistry, we’re often concerned with the behavior of atoms, which are two small to be seen. So, first, our models are often larger representations of the chemical phenomenon. Second, because the things we’re attempting to explain are too small to be seen, our models are usually not exact replicas of the chemical phenomenon. Models are judged based on how well they predict and explain chemical behavior. For the next two weeks you’ll be immersed in the chemical practice of creating and refining models. You’ll be asked to create a model, make predictions based upon your model, and ultimately refine it based on your experimental observations. You goal is to create a model that has use in explaining the chemical behavior of compounds added to water.

Week 1 Planning:

Part 1

Initial Model

Describe what you would expect to observe (see, hear, feel, smell, measure) when salt is dissolved in water (macroscopic)? How must the molecules interact to account for the behavior you expect (microscopic)? (Diagrams would be helpful)

Describe what you would expect to observe (see, hear, feel, smell, measure) when sugar is dissolved in water (macroscopic)? How must the molecules interact to account for the behavior you expect (microscopic)? (Diagrams would be helpful)

How can you use your responses to both questions to create one model that accounts for any expected differences in behavior of salt and sugar?

Prediction

Based on your model, what would you predict to observe when (calcium chloride, copper (II) chloride dihydrate, glucose, isopropanol, sodium chloride, sucrose) are added to water?