Contextualization
Chemistry is the science that studies matter, its properties, how and what products are formed during chemical reactions, and the changes they undergo. It is present in countless situations in our daily lives, such as food preservation, the metabolization of food in our bodies, the production of fuels, medicines, plastics, among others. Among its fundamental concepts, the classification of substances into simple and compound is very important for understanding various chemical processes.
Simple substances are those formed by atoms of the same chemical element. They can be represented by molecules of a single element, such as oxygen gas (O2), or by networks of atoms, such as diamond, which is an allotropic form of carbon. On the other hand, compound substances are formed by atoms of different chemical elements, that is, they are formed by two or more types of atoms bonded together, such as water (H2O), which is formed by two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
The concepts of simple and compound substances are fundamental to understanding the behavior of matter, as each substance has its own physical and chemical properties, which are determined by the chemical bonds between the atoms and by the molecular structure of each substance. This knowledge is essential for the development of new materials, medicines, and technologies, for example.
In addition, the differentiation between simple and compound substances is important for our understanding of various everyday phenomena. For example, the decomposition of compound substances is what allows the recycling of materials such as plastic and glass. The formation of simple substances occurs during respiration, when oxygen gas (O2) reacts with substances in our body to release energy.
I recommend that you consult the following resources to learn more about the topic:
- General Chemistry textbook by John B. Russell, Pearson Publishing House. Purchase link here.
- Brasil Escola website for a brief explanation on the classification of matter.
- “Chemistry in Action” channel by Professor Paulo Valim, with a video on simple and compound substances.
- Toda Matéria website for a more in-depth explanation and everyday examples.
Practical Activity: “Substances in our daily lives: Simple or Compound?”
Objectives of the project:
- Develop students' ability to identify simple and compound substances in their daily lives;
- Enable students to investigate and explain the properties of these substances and their applications;
- Encourage collaboration, research, effective communication, and time management.
Detailed project description:
In groups of 3 to 5, students will be encouraged to identify 5 simple and 5 compound substances present in our daily lives, explore their properties, and uses. After the identification, they should conduct a detailed research on each substance, exploring its properties, uses, and importance.
Materials required:
- Internet access for research;
- Notebook or paper to write down ideas and find information;
- Camera or cell phone to take pictures (optional).
Detailed step-by-step guide to carry out the activity:
- Divide the class into groups of 3 to 5 people;
- Each group should discuss and identify 5 simple and 5 compound substances present in our daily lives;
- Conduct a detailed research on each substance. The information collected should include aspects such as: what the substance is, its properties, where it is found, why it is useful, and any other interesting facts. Students can use the internet, textbooks, and other reliable sources for their research;
- Each member of the group should contribute to the research and information gathering;
- Students should prepare a final report on the substances researched. This report should include an introduction, development, conclusions, and the bibliography used.
The final report should be presented in the following format:
Introduction: Contextualization of the topic Simple and Compound Substances, its relevance, and application in the real world. In addition, students should present the objectives of the project.
Development: Detailed presentation of the research on each substance, including its definition, properties, applications, and other interesting facts. Students should explain how they conducted the research and present their findings in a clear and organized manner.
Conclusions: Students should make a synthesis of the results obtained, highlighting the most important learnings and discoveries. They should also reflect on the process of carrying out the project, discussing the challenges faced and how they were overcome, in addition to mentioning points for improvement for future projects.
Bibliography: Students should list all sources of information used during the research and preparation of the report.
Groups will have one week to complete the project and submit the final report. This project requires two to four hours of work per student.
