19 CHEMISTRY OF CARS RESOURCES
1
Name of Resource
Description
Grade Level/Type
The Power of Polymers
Synthesis of a plastic from cornstarch and corn oil. 3-D printing using plastic filament. Use of LEGO manipulatives to illustrate polymerization.
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Student groups synthesize a variety of polymers and evaluate the suitability of these polymers for particular functions in a car (tires, dashboard, seat cushions, etc.). Chemical structures of polymers, intermolecular forces, performance requirements for automotive parts—strength, flexibility, clarity, chemical resistance. Using molecular models to investigate isomeric structures found in gasoline (notably, isomer of octane). Correlating physical properties (e.g. boiling point) to molecular structures. Distillation of Cherry Coke to obtain three fractions: CO2, flavorings (esters), and residual non-volatile matter (sugar, coloring). Extension of fractional distillation concepts to the production of petroleum distillates (naphtha, gasoline, kerosene, etc.). Investigation of the properties of various weights of motor oils. Relating viscosity data at various temperatures to molecular structures (hydrocarbon chain length). Construction of a model radiator from copper tubing. Investigation of the efficiency of heat exchange. Engineering the system for optimal efficiency. Comparison of commercial antifreeze brands’ ability to depress the freezing point of water. Investigation of specific heat capacity of antifreeze solutions. Investigation of the use of alcohols (methanol, ethanol, isopropanol) to inhibit the freezing of water that may collect in automobile gas tanks and fuel lines.
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2
Give Your Car Some Bounce
3
The Right Polymer for the Job
4
Structural Isomers
5
Fractional Distillation of Crude Oil
6
The Importance of Motor Oil Viscosity in Optimal Car Functioning
7
Cool Science: Building and Testing a Model Radiator
8
The Hot and Cold of It All
9
Fuel Line Antifreeze
Author
Lesson connection
Middle School, Early High School Hands-on Experimentation High School Hands-on Experimentation
Jennifer Smith
2, 3
Sherri Rukes
1, 3
High School Internet Research Optional Hands-on Extension High School Hands-on Activity
David Allan
1, 2
Roxanne Spencer
5, 6
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High School Hands-on Experimentation
Lee Rucinski
4, 6
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High School Hands-on Experimentation
DeEtta Andersen
4, 5
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Middle School, High School Hands-on Experimentation High School Hands-on Experimentation High School Hands-on Experimentation
Steve Sogo
8, 9
Maryjane Utley
7, 9
David Allan
7, 8
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10 Redesigning a Car for the Environment!
11 How Fuel Cells Work
12 Battery Basics
13 How Far Can We Go?
14 Biofuels of the Future
15 Engineering a Vehicle:
16
The Pros and Cons of Carbon Fiber Technology Exploring Automotive Corrosion
17 Catalysis and Catalytic Converters
18 Mechanisms and
Properties of Airbags
19 Not Breaking Up is Hard to Do: The Properties of Glass
Calculation of the quantities of CO2 produced in the combustion reactions that provide a car’s energy. Investigation of alternative fuels and analysis of their environmental impact. Investigation of proton exchange membranes and the chemistry of hydrogen fuel cells. Students construct arguments for or against the adoption of fuel cell technology. Investigation of materials required to build a functioning lemon battery. Simulations of how electrons and ions flow in a car battery. Discussion of why a battery is needed in an internal combustion engine.
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Investigation of the energy density in batteries compared to the energy density of gasoline. Calculation of mass required for a battery pack that can drive a car for 100-miles. Investigation of biofuels as alternatives to fossil fuels. Evaluation of environmental impacts and economic costs. Students create an e-book to share their conclusions with other students. Researching the pros and cons of carbon fiber as a structural material in automobiles. Students construct evidence-based arguments to support or reject the use of carbon fiber in cars. Examination of galvanic corrosion that occurs when dissimilar metals are bolted together and submerged in a salt water solution. Testing different materials for their ability to decompose hydrogen peroxide. Inquiry = development of a model catalytic converter (using hydrogen peroxide as a hypothetical waste product in engine exhaust). Investigation of the reactions used to inflate airbags. Investigation of the airbag faults that led to the massive Takata airbag recall. Creation of glass from sugar, corn syrup and water. Inquiry: how do the properties of the glass depend on the chemical formulation of the mixture?
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High School Pencil-and-paper Calculations, Webbased Research High School Web-based Research Middle School, High School Hands-on Experimentation, Web-based Research High School Pencil-and-paper Calculations
Sherri Rukes
11-15
Laura Murphy
10, 12-15
Jennifer Smith
10, 11, 13-15
Roxanne Spencer
10-12, 14, 15
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High School Web-based Research
Maryjane Utley
10-13, 15
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High School Web-based Research
DeEtta Andersen
10-14
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High School Hand-on Experimentation High School Hands-on Experimentation
Laura Murphy
n/a
Lee Rucinski
n/a
Jean Mihelcic
n/a
Jean Mihelcic
n/a
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High School Web-based Research High School Hands-on Experimentation
