Links n Stuff

Temp vs heat
Types of energy
Measuring energy changes
Calculating Heat
Phase changes
Heating and cooling curves

Biodiesel Summary

In this unit, we learned about how many affects that diesel fuel has on the environment, and how biodiesel is the better choice. We also made our own biodiesel using the chemical reaction shown above. Once we had our fuel, we constructed boats to race using our fuel. Addie and I's boat came in 1st! We were very excited to have our hard work pay off. I enjoyed the environmental aspect of this unit very much! Here are some links to better inform you of what biodiesel is and does:
http://biodiesel.org/
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/biodiesel.html
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/biodiesel.shtml
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel.html
http://nbb.org/
http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/st-louis-pizza-powerhouse-branches-off-into-alternative-fuels/article_236ca250-8e21-5e9a-8244-f7341675e9c5.html

Specific Heat Lab

In our first lab of the new unit, we tested the specific heat of copper and iron. Our group did copper. We tested the temperature of our tap water, then boiled our copper in a test tube in a hot water bath. The lab was short and somewhat interesting, but not my favorite. This lab did help me visualize what is happeneing in our practice problems and on tests. 

Biodiesel Oil Spill

A terrible thing happened in Mrs. Frankenbergs room this week. Several groups biodiesel was lost, all that hard work, gone. Luckily, ours was saved. Ours burned hot and fast. The whole room smelled like fries after everyone tested their oil! I can't wait for the boat race results! 

Lab Day 1

Today was the first day of our biodiesel lab! We mixed the used vegetable oil with our base and cooked it for 25 minutes. Once we took it off the heat, it already started separating. I can't wait to see wheat the product will look like fully separated tomorrow!