LESSON PLAN 2
Name: Gina Kuntscher
Title of
lesson: Chemistry Behind the Composition of a Firework
Date of
lesson: May 5th , 2005
Length
of lesson: 2 hours
Description
of the class: High School Chemistry
Source of the lesson:
http://www.glencoe.com/sec/science/webquest/content/fireworks.shtml
TEKS
addressed:
4)
Science concepts. The student knows the characteristics of matter.
(A) differentiate between physical and chemical
properties of matter;
(C)
investigate and identify properties of mixtures and pure substances; and
5) Science concepts. The student
knows that energy transformations occur during physical or chemical changes in
matter.
(A) identify changes in matter, determine the
nature of the change, and examine the forms of energy involved;
(B) identify and measure energy transformations
and exchanges involved in chemical reactions; and
7)
Science concepts. The student knows the variables that influence the behavior
of gases
(A) describe interrelationships among
temperature, particle number, pressure, and volume of gases contained within a
closed system; and
10)Science
concepts. The student knows common oxidation-reduction reactions
(A) identify oxidation-reduction processes; and
11)Science
concepts. The student knows that balanced chemical equations are used to
interpret and describe the interactions of matter
(A) identify common elements and compounds using
scientific nomenclature;
(B) demonstrate the use of symbols, formulas,
and equations in describing interactions of matter such as chemical and nuclear
reactions; and
15)Science
concepts. The student knows factors involved in chemical reactions
(B)
relate the rate of a chemical reaction to temperature, concentration, surface
area, and presence of a catalyst.
Fireworks have been a familiar part of celebrations for centuries
and for most of that time, the designing of fireworks was a craft. Only
recently have people begun to try and understand the science involved in
creating the spectacular fireworks displays we all enjoy. Students will learn
what the component parts of fireworks are, what chemical compounds cause
fireworks to explode and what chemical compounds are responsible for the colors
of fireworks.
Students will be able to:
á Develop a concept map using Inspiration
á
Describe the basic composition of fireworks
á
Identify key chemicals and reactions associated with the
parts
á Develop research skills and
identify the relevant information
III. Resources, materials and supplies needed
http://www.chemsoc.org/exemplarchem/entries/2004/icl_Gondhia/composition.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/15384/chem/
http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/webprojects1997/RebeccaH/#chemicalreactions
http://www.howstuffworks.com/fireworks1.htm
http://www.fireworks.com/safety/chemistry-fireworks.asp
www.bpa-fmg.org.uk/articles/fireworkchemistry.pdf
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/fireworks/fire.html
http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/CHEMWEEK/fireworks/fireworks.htm
IV. Supplementary materials, handouts.
Five-E Organization
Teacher Does Probing Questions Student Does
|
Engage: Demonstrate a gummy bear put into molten potassium nitrate. |
How is this like fireworks? |
Students do not realize that the gummy bear is the reducer and that the potassium nitrate is the oxidizer. |
|
Explore: Introduces
Assignment:
Students will search
the internet for the different parts of fireworks and how chemistry relates
to the different parts. |
What
is the basic composition of fireworks? What is the
purpose of each part? What is the chemistry behind each
part? (chemicals or reactions) What is the
best oxidizer for fireworks? Why is it not
used? |
Oxidizing agent, Reducing agent, binder, fuel, coloring agent,
regulator The fuel (Black powder) loses electrons
to atoms within the oxidizer (thereby reducing the oxidizer) and releasing
atoms from the oxidizer. During this process, bonds are formed between the
fuel and oxygen atoms forming a product which is relatively stable. The
function of the oxidizing agent is to produce the oxygen needed in order for
the mixture inside the firework to burn. These oxidizers can be nitrates,
chlorates or perchlorates.The
second part to a firework is the reducing agent. These burn the
oxygen provided by the oxidizing agents to produce hot gasses. Common
reducing agents are Sulfur and Charcoal. Metals are regulators and can be added to
regulate the speed at which the reaction. The larger the surface area of the
metal, the faster the reaction will proceed (collision theory). Different
chemicals are used to produce different colored fireworks. Therefore, in order to produce a firework
of a certain color, the correct corresponding chemical or as the case may be,
mixture of chemicals can be used. Binders are used to hold what is essentially the mixture of the
firework together in a paste like mixture. The most commonly used is known as
dextrin, a type of starch which holds the composition together |
|
Explain: Tell students
that they are to develop and explain a concept map on the composition of
fireworks using Inspiration, power point, or on a poster board. |
How are all
the parts related to chemistry? |
Presentation
of findings |
|
Extend / Elaborate: Develop a link
on a webpage that will explain the chemistry of fireworks in easy language (must include all parts of a firework) |
. How you are
determining what information is important? Where did you
get your information? Is that a
reliable source? How do you
know? |
Students will
create a web page as part of their webquest which was introduced in lesson 1. |
|
Evaluate: Have students take a short quiz. |
What are the five basic
components of fireworks? What type of simple chemical
reactions occur in fireworks? What are the components of
black powder? What are the ratios of these components? |
Color, reducing agent, oxidizing agent, binder, regulator Oxidation reduction reactions 1) Salt Peter 75% |