New Jersey Chemistry Olympics - 2009

Event 1: Chemistry Research Paper: 

Thermochemistry - Enthalpy of Formation

This event is limited to the first 18 entries

Enthalpies of formation are the used by scientists, engineers and by industry to determine energy requirements for their industrial and pilot scale reactions processes. Once the enthalpy of reaction is known, the scientist or engineer can account for heat input if needed to sustain the reaction, or heat removal needed to keep the system stable (eliminate possibilities of explosion due to runaway).

Objective

Design an alcohol-fueled reactor that is used to propel a cork upwards and demonstrate your understanding of the the thermochemical principles leading to the relationship between the height achieved by the cork and the fuel added to the reactor.  (As an alternative, the volume of gas escaping the reaction chamber may be measured).

Requirements

1. Read: Bozzelli, J. (1983) Alcohol-Fueled Missile in Journal of Chemical Education, vol 60, p. 1069.
2. Design and construct a reactor using a 500 ml Nalgene LDPE bottle as the reaction chamber.  The Nalgene bottle may be modified as needed to facilitate the launching of a cork or measurement of escaping gas.
3. Do not launch anything other than a cork that fits into the opening of the Nalgene bottle.  Goggles must be worn at all times.  Always propel the cork away from people.
4. React up to 1.0 ml of any alcohol (see note below)
5. Study the thermochemical properties of the reactor that lead to the determination of the a] Enthalpies of Reaction and b] Standard Enthalpies of Formation for a Hydrocarbon or an oxygenated hydrocarbon has by heat of combustion.   The properties include but is not limited to: the affect of fuel added, the temperature changes within the reactor, the pressure changes within the reactor, the volume of product gases produced, moles of gas produced and the height the cork is propelled. Note: the height of the lecture hall ceiling is two stories (about 20 feet).
6. Design an Excel Spreadsheet that may be used to calculate at least the following:

   1. Total energy from the experiment.
   2. Enthalpy of reaction for one mole of the fuel of choice.
   3. Enthalpy of formation of the fuel of choice.

7. Submit the spreadsheet to Dr. Bozzelli via email by 4 pm May 1, 2009 (Late submissions will be rejected).  Caution: you may not contact the judge with any questions directly.  Questions regarding this event must be submitted using the Clarification Form.

Notes:  

• 0.5 ml distilled water must first be added to the added to the reaction chamber, swirled and then the excess poured out to ensure that the air inside the bottle is saturated with water vapor.  Knowing that the contents of reactor is saturated with water simplifies the thermochemical calculations.
• Calculations must be embedded into the Excel Spread sheet.  On the day of the event, students may be asked to enter a volume of fuel -  selected by the judges, into their spreadsheet to test its efficacy in completing the calculations.

Guidelines

• This events must be completed by a team of 2 or 3 students.
• You must submit the following items: a spreadsheet to Dr. Bozzelli via email, a written report received by NJIT (by mail or hand-delievered) and a written report received by turnitin.com. All must be received by 4 pm May 1, 2009: 
• Submit the spreadsheet to Dr. Bozzelli via email.  (Late submissions will be rejected).  Caution: you may not contact the judge with any questions directly.  Questions regarding this event must be submitted using the Clarification Form.

• Your written report may not exceed FIVE pages - 12 pt., double spaced plus a 2-Part Appendix:  Part 1: up to FIVE pages of diagrams, charts, etc. Part 2: Photocopies of the first 3 pages of the primary source articles used in your research.).  Include a cover page that indicates the title of the paper, authors, school, team A or B (if applicable)
• The Appendix must include: 

  Part 1 (max 5 pages).

  • full instructions for the experimental procedures utilized in your analysis,  
  • a complete listing of references used in your research (written sources as well as a list of people who provided assistance)

  Part 2 (minimum 9 pages)

  • Photocopies of the first 3 pages of the primary source articles used in your research.
  • Abstract in lieu of article are not acceptable.
• Any conclusions you form must be based upon your own experimental data from experiments you conduct at your own high school facility.  Commercial assistance is not permitted.
• The written paper must adhere to the ACS Style Guide.
• All research papers must be built upon information acquired from a minimum of 3 primary sources. 
• Submit your paper to turnitin.com 
• A poster is not required for this presentation.
• Be prepared to make a 3-5-minute oral presentation, one-on-one with the judges.
• On the day of the event you will be required to demonstrate your alcohol-fueled reactor in front of an audience and the spreadsheet.  Schools must supply their own computers, LCD projectors and/or overhead projectors.  A screen will be made available.  Students must supply all other equipment, including the alcohol.

Judging Criteria

Spreadsheet (completeness ), 30%

Spreadsheet (function of calculations and accuracy ), 20%

Written Paper (demonstration of understanding of thermochemical principles), 25%     

Oral presentation & demonstration of device, 25%

Team Identification

When emailing Dr. Bozzelli, please include include the following 4 items on the spreadsheet and in the text of the email

• name of school

• team A or B, designation, if applicable

• names of students (clearly printed legibly)

• name of coach

Event Designed by Joseph Bozzelli, NJIT

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Last Updated February 10, 2009