Week 28

Week 28 in Chem was packed full of information. The week consisted of more practice balancing different types of reactions with an assessment at the end of the week to test our abilities. There are many different kinds of reactions, like single or double replacement reactions. With single replacement, one ion replaces the other in the formula and with double replacement, two ions replace two others in the formula. Two opposite reaction types, synthesis and decomposition, are also simple. With synthesis reactions, several reactants combine to make a single product. Decomposition reactions, though, are where one reactant decomposes into two or more products. Lastly, we practiced with combustion. Combustion is very simple, it is when a hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen to form H2O and CO2. Balancing equations is very simple once you understand that you just need to balance the number of atoms for each element. All the practice and chemquests/skill practices we did were very helpful. We did an experiment in which we placed a match next to a balloon filled with propane an oxygen gas. This ballon burst and made a very loud noise, shaking our room! We ended the week taking an assessment in which we balanced one of each type of reaction. I felt very prepared. After the assessment, Mr. Abud showed us a cotton cloth wrapped in string and covered in butane, then lit it on fire! He could hold the ball and let some of us hold it as well. We couldn't discuss it much because we ran out of time but I'm sure we will be this week.