Web Activities
UNIT 3: ENERGY CHANGES AND RATES OF REACTION
Chapter 5 – Thermochemistry
Practice
p. 300
Question 7
The energy content of foods is sometimes describes as “calories”
rather than the SI unit of joules. Physical activity is describe as
“burning calories.” Research the answers to the following
questions:
a. What are the relationships among a calorie, a Calorie, and a joule?
b. Are calories actually burned? Why is this terminology used?
c. What laboratory methods are used to determine the energy content
of foods?
Dietary
Calorie versus "Physics" Calorie
This Physlink.com site answers a question regarding the difference between
dietary and physical calories.
Fat
Calories versus Protein/Carbohydrate Calories
This American Council on Science and Health website contains an article
from the Council's e-journal, Priorities. In this article, a medical
doctor explains why sometimes calorie-counting may not help predict
weight-loss or gain.
Counting
Calories
This archived editorial from Foodproductdesign.com discusses several
drawbacks to the conventional methods used to count calories, and tackles
issues raised by such "supplement" foods as Olestra.
Section 5.1 Questions
p. 305
Question 7
The bomb calorimeter is a commonly used laboratory apparatus.
Research and write a brief report describing the applications of this
technology.
The
Bomb Calorimeter
This website contains a useful diagram of a typical bomb calorimeter
used in a lab and an explanation of how the bomb calorimeter works.
Heats
of Combustion of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels
This website of the White Sands Test Facility explains the process through
which one might determine the heat of combustion of hydrocarbons. It
contains many links to other NASA-affiliated websites.
Thermochemistry
This site belongs to a group of private Web sites hosted by Erik Epp,
called Erik's Chemistry. It provides an excellent and succinct overview
of thermodynamics at a first-year university level.
Question 8
Hot packs and cold packs use chemical reactions to produce
or absorb energy. Write a brief report describing the chemical systems
used in these products and their usefulness.
Hot
and Cold Reactions
Using basic principles to begin with, this Dartmouth University website
explains how exactly it is possible that systems may increase or decrease
in temperature independent of their surroundings.
Sections 5.2 Questions
p. 312
Question 7
The propane refrigerator seems to be a contradiction in terms:
the exothermic combustion of a hydrocarbon is used to cool food.
a. Find out how this device functions and what changes in matter occur
in its operation.
b. Calculate enthalpy changes expected in a typical example.
How
Refrigerators Work
This How Stuff Works website explains the functioning of refrigerators.
If you turn to page 5 in the article, you will find an explanation of
gas and propane refrigerators, along with a link to a much more detailed
website.
The
Invention of Freon
This article from About.com explains how Midgely and Kettering invented
Freon for General Motors. It also goes on to discuss their other inventions--leaded
gasoline and the automobile ignition system.
Practice
p. 344
Question 2
Nuclear reactors in the United States and Europe use different
systems than the CANDU system. Research and make a chart to summarize
the similarities and differences among these systems.
The
Virtual Nuclear Tourist
This website contains links to an astounding amount of information regarding
the world's nuclear power plants.
Safety
of Nuclear Power Reactors
This briefing paper from the Uranium Information Centre of Melbourne,
Australia discusses several safety issues regarding nuclear power reactors.
The
Reactor Engineer's Home Page
This site simply lists a large number of links that are divided into
categories like "Professional Organizations," "International
Nuclear Agencies," and other useful titles.
Practice
p. 346
Question 4
Current nuclear power generation uses nuclear fission reactions.
Why are fission reactions used instead of fusion reactions? Report on
what progress has been made in making nuclear fusion practical as an
energy source.
Fusion
Power
This article from the BBC News website addresses the potential attainment
of fusion power by leading scientists in the United Kingdom.
A
Galaxy of Fusion Reactors
This picture of a galaxy is found on the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
website, a laboratory that is devoted to making fusion power a reality.
Section 5.6 Questions
p. 346
Question 2
Research and report on atomic energy in Ontario. Include descriptions
of:
a. locations of nuclear facilities;
b. amount of power generated; and
c. advantages and disadvantages of this energy source.
Ontario
Power Generation: Nuclear Power
In this Operations website of Ontario Power Generation, the nuclear
power that is used to meet "almost half of the province's electricity
needs" is discussed. The site also contains links to power production
maps, and information about hydroelectric power, with several additional
links on other topics.
Directory
of the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility
This directory of websites contains links to over a hundred different
documents, from reports and policy documents to the results of research
papers and consumer opinion information--all having to do with dangers
and required precautions regarding nuclear reactors.
Question 3
Coal is often described as the “dirtiest” fossil
fuel used for power generation. Name other fossil fuels that can be
burned to generate power and write a short report discussing their advantages
and disadvantages, or list the advantages and disadvantages in a table.
The
Hidden Cost of Fossil Fuels
An appeal from the American Union of Concerned Scientists, this briefing
document addresses the hidden "costs" of fossil fuels: namely,
the environmental damage that manifests itself from long term fossil
fuel usage in water, land and air pollution.
Natural
Gas
From theInternational Council for Local
Environmental Initiatives, this website reprints an article of the Energy
Educators of Ontario about natural gas. It explores the gas's origins,
usage, and environmental impact.
The
Environmental Impact of Natural Gas
This site promotes natural gas on behalf of several organizations, by
addressing the environmental impact of other fuels that might be alleviated,
especially with regard to air pollution.
Waste-to-Energy
This website describes the waste-to-energy process, and explains how
exactly garbage can be used to power homes and industry through the
process of combustion.
Future
Fossil Fuels
This website belongs to the Department of Energy's Fossil Energy group
of sites. Being an educational site, it provides lots of instructive
material, clearly marked as being geared towards younger or older students.
Ontario
Power Generation: Fossil
This Operations website of the Ontario Power Generation describes how
fossil fuels are used to provide for much of Ontario's required electricity.
Question 4
Both geothermal and solar energy have been suggested as clean
and efficient alternatives to fossil fuels and atomic energy. Research
and write a brief report on the practicality of one of these energy
sources.
Concentrating
Solar Power Technology
This website is hosted by Solarpaces.com, an international organization
that is committed to increasing the commercial use of solar power technology.
This webpage explains the various technologies that are in use to collect
and concentrate solar radiation, and to convert it into useable energy.
Solar
Energy Topics
Hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency
and Renewable Energy, this website discusses, and contains links to
further information about several solar power technologies and issues.
Geothermal
Energy Program
Hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy Network, this website contains links to information about geothermal
energy in general, along with links to information about their program
and other web resources that are available.
Question 5
Hydrogen power is described by some as the ideal alternative
to fossil fuel combustion because the only product is water. Others
argue that “dirty” energy source are used to produce hydrogen
fuel, so that the pollution is just produced somewhere else. Find out
how hydrogen fuel is obtained and report on the advantages and disadvantages
of this alternative energy source.
Power
Systems Software Development
This combustion research facility works with support from the U.S. Department
of Energy's Hydrogen Program. This site describes a conceptual power
park, and contains links to information about other research projects
and topics.
Zero
Emission: Coal to Hydrogen
Hosted by the Los Alamos National Laboratory of the University of California,
this website describes strategies that are used to reduce toxic emissions
from the combustion of fossil fuels. One strategy discussed in detail
is that of using carbon dioxide to carbonate minerals, mimicking a process
that occurs in nature.
Hydrogen...
The Freedom Fuel
This website provided by the National Hydrogen Association (NHA), promotes
the use of hydrogen in fuel cells, as a safer alternative to existing
fuels. It contains several links, some multimedia, to further information
about hydrogen.
Section 5.6 Questions
Question 6
Every year several groups in Ontario organize for Canadian
families to host children from the Chernobyl area of Ukraine. Research
and report of the effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, and how
these Ontario communities are trying to improve life for a few survivors
of the Chernobyl disaster.
Chernobyl
Radiation Disaster Information
This website provides an "independent resource and information
about radiation disaster." It contains several links to study pages
and resource materials about Chernobyl and other radiation disasters.
Chernobyl:
Ten Years on Radiological and Health Impact
Provided by the Nuclear Energy Agency, this website contains an assessment
that a committee has made on the long-term impact of the Chernobyl disaster.
It is quite details, and contains some useful resource links, like a
glossary of terms used in the report.
Chapter 5 Review
p. 357
Question 19
Canadians use more energy per capita than almost any other
country in the world.
a. List some factors that contribute to this level of consumption.
b. Compare Canada’s energy consumption with that of another
country. At the same time, compare the factors listed in a.
c. Choose one source of energy used in Canada, and research the efficiency
and environmental impact of our use of this type of energy.
d. Write a short opinion piece on whether it is morally appropriate
for Canada to have the present level of energy consumption.
Canada
Analysis Brief
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) gathers official energy
statistics for the U.S. Government. This website contains its report
on Canada in terms of energy production, use, and export.
Canada:
Data and Forecasts
The U.S. Department of Energy's E.I.A. herein provides links to important
data about Canada's energy status, as well as forecasts of Canada's
future in terms of energy.
Lower
Energy Consumption
National Research Council Canada hosts this web page as part of its
"Design for Environment Guide." This site explains why a strategy
of reducing consumption is endorsed, and contains links to other parts
of the guide that explain Canada and energy in terms of the "overall
picture."
