4/1: Burning Ethanol

Let's Get Fired Up!

As we talked about during the burning cheeto demonstration, there are sometimes inputs and outputs that aren't easy to observe. For example, you may know that we breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide, but how do scientists figure that out when it's not possible to SEE those molecules? Today we are going to find out!

Today we will be writing procedures to determine what the outputs are when ethanol is burned. Students will work together in groups to write a procedure for a certain output (such as carbon dioxide, water, oxygen, etc.), and then we will conduct the tests together. By the end of class we will have figured out the chemical equation for burning ethanol. You will also learn how to balance a chemical equation!

YOUR BURNING ETHANOL PROCEDURE IS DUE AT THE END OF CLASS TODAY FOR A GRADE!

If you were absent for this lab you will need to schedule a session during 1st lunch or after school to make it up during Unit 5. There is quite a bit of set up, so please talk to me about possible appointments.