Choose one of these reactions to investigate
Combustion of methane, CH4 , and oxygen, O2
Combustion of propane, C3H8 , and oxygen, O2
Photosynthesis of carbon dioxide, CO2 , and water, H2O
Aerobic Respiration (our break down of food) of sugar, C6H12O6 , and oxygen, O2
Reaction of vinegar, (acetic acid & water) C2H4O2 and baking soda, (sodium bicarbonate)
NaHCO3
Make predictions of what will happen when these molecules interact in a reaction: what might
the new products be?
Create a 2-D or 3-D model of your molecules and how the atoms recombine after the reaction.
The model should include the molecules of the reactants (before they change) and models of
the molecules that are products of the reaction (after they change.)
Each element should always be represented by the same thing in your model: for example, if I
use a yellow box to represent hydrogen, ALL hydrogen atoms must be yellow boxes.
You must create a key to show what each element is represented by
The number of atoms on each side of the reaction should be equal (law of conservation of
mass)
Write a short paper addressing the following and how they relate to each other and your
model:
-the Law of Conservation of Mass
-Molecules
-Compounds
-Atoms
-Elements
-Mass
Model content
/15
Written work
/10
Neatness &
Grammar
/5
Total ___/30
4
-All elements are
represented
-Each element
type is unique in
the model
-The number of
atoms on each
side of the
reaction are the
same
-There is a key to
help understand
the model
-the Law of
Conservation of
Mass
-Molecules
-Compounds
-Atoms
-Elements
-Mass
All of these
terms are
explained and
addressed
clearly, and
related to each
other and to the
model
The paper is
written without
grammatical
errors, is original
work, and the
model is clear
and neat
3
-All elements are
represented
-Few errors exist
in the model, but
there may be an
uneven number
of atoms or
something is
mislabeled
2
-There are errors
or missing pieces
to the model
-The key is
unclear/it is
unclear what
things are
-The reaction is
inaccurate
1
-Nothing is
labeled
-Molecules are
missing from the
reaction
-the Law of
Conservation of
Mass
-Molecules
-Compounds
-Atoms
-Elements
-Mass
One or two
terms are
missing or not
fully explained,
or are not
related to the
model
-the Law of
Conservation of
Mass
-Molecules
-Compounds
-Atoms
-Elements
-Mass
Three or more
terms are
missing or not
fully explained
None of the
explanation
relates to the
model
The paper has
many errors but
still gets the
point across
The model is
confusing or
messy, but works
Written work is
confusing and
does not explain
the terms or the
model
The paper is
written with few
grammatical
errors, is original
work, and the
model makes
sense
Sloppy,
fragmented
sentences
Model is messy
and confusing