Contextualization

Hydrocarbons are chemical compounds formed exclusively by carbon and hydrogen atoms. They belong to a large family of organic compounds and are the main constituents of petroleum and natural gas. Let's explore the different types of hydrocarbons: alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and aromatics, as well as their nomenclature, molecular structure, and physical and chemical properties.

Chemistry, as we know it today, began with the discovery of hydrocarbons. For a long time, it was believed that these compounds could only be produced by living organisms, hence the name 'organic chemistry.' However, in 1825, a chemist named Friedrich Wöhler discovered that he could produce organic compounds in the laboratory. This discovery opened up a world of possibilities, and organic chemistry gained a new dimension, becoming one of the main fields of study in Chemistry.

Hydrocarbons are incredibly important for modern society. They are the main raw material used in the production of fuels, plastics, resins, solvents, dyes, medicines, and many other products. However, the burning of hydrocarbons for energy production is one of the main sources of greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming and climate change.

To understand, deal with, and propose sustainable solutions for the use of hydrocarbons, it is essential to know the properties, characteristics, and applications of these compounds. In this project, you will have the opportunity to explore the world of hydrocarbons, experiment with their properties, and finally, reflect on their impact on society and the environment.

To delve deeper into the study of hydrocarbons, you can consult the following resources:

1. Book 'Chemistry: The Central Science' by Brown, LeMay, Bursten, Murphy, Woodward, and Stoltzfus. Especially Chapter 25, on Organic Chemistry and Polymers.

2. Documentary 'The Secret Life of Plastics,' available on the Netflix streaming platform. This is an excellent resource to understand the use and impact of hydrocarbons on society.

3. Website of 'Folha de São Paulo' - Special on Climate Change, which helps to understand how the burning of hydrocarbons influences the environment.

4. Website of the Virtual Organic Chemistry Project, from Michigan State University, which offers a variety of interactive resources for the study of organic chemistry.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: Exploring the World of Hydrocarbons: Properties, Impact, and Sustainable Solutions

Project Objective:

The objective of this project is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of hydrocarbons, their properties, and the impact of their use on the environment. Students will conduct practical experiments to understand the physical and chemical characteristics of hydrocarbons and will develop a detailed written work about their findings. Finally, they will be challenged to propose sustainable solutions to the environmental problems associated with the use of hydrocarbons.

Detailed Project Description:

The project will be carried out by groups of 3 to 5 students over a period of one month. Each student will be responsible for about 5 to 10 hours of work.

The project will be divided into two main parts: the experimental phase and the written work.

Experimental Phase:

In the experimental phase, students will conduct practical experiments to study the properties of hydrocarbons, using simple and safe materials. They will build molecular models of hydrocarbons and conduct experiments to explore their physical characteristics and reactivity.

Written Work:

After the experimental phase, students will write a detailed monograph explaining the theoretical concepts behind the experiments, describing the experiments and their results, and proposing sustainable solutions.

Required Materials:

• Chemistry set for building molecular models
• Safety goggles
• Laboratory gloves
• Short-chain alkanes (available in chemical supply stores)
• Simple reagents to test reactivity (determined by the teacher)
• Notebook or computer for research and writing the work
• Books and online resources for research

Detailed Step-by-Step for Carrying Out the Activity:

1. Group formation and project planning: Students will group together and make an initial project planning, dividing tasks and establishing a schedule for the work.

2. Theoretical study: Students will conduct detailed research on hydrocarbons, studying their properties, nomenclature, molecular structure, and environmental impact. They should consult both chemistry books and recommended online resources.

3. Practical experiments: Students will conduct experiments to study the properties and reactivity of hydrocarbons. They will build molecular models of hydrocarbons and perform tests to understand their physical and chemical characteristics. These experiments should be documented in detail.

4. Writing the work: Students will organize their research and experimental results into a detailed written work. The work should include a detailed introduction about hydrocarbons, a development explaining the theory and experiments conducted, and a conclusion that will include a proposal of sustainable solutions to the environmental problems caused by hydrocarbons.

5. Review and submission of the work: The groups will make a final review of the work, making necessary corrections. Finally, they will submit the work to the teacher within the established deadline.

Project Delivery

At the end of the month, students should deliver the following documentation:

Project Report containing:

1. Introduction: where the student will contextualize the theme, its relevance and real-world application, as well as the objective of this project.
2. Development: where the student will explain the theory behind hydrocarbons, describe the experiments conducted, present and discuss the results obtained.
3. Conclusion: where the student will conclude the work, explaining the learnings obtained, the results of the discussion on hydrocarbons, and the conclusions drawn from the project.
4. Bibliography used: where the student must indicate the sources they relied on to work on the project such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

It is expected that by the end of this project, students will have gained a clear and in-depth understanding of what hydrocarbons are, their properties and characteristics, as well as the relevance of this category of compounds for society in general and for the environment.