Contextualization

Geometric Isomerism or Cis-Trans is a chemical phenomenon that occurs when two molecules have the same molar mass, the same molecular formula, but differences in the spatial arrangement of atoms. This is a crucial concept in the study of Organic Chemistry, the branch of chemistry that studies carbon compounds, and is relevant to a wide variety of fields, including medicine, pharmacology, and materials science.

Due to its relevance, Geometric Isomerism is a fundamental topic in any chemistry course, and its proper understanding is essential for advancing in more complex studies. However, despite its significance, it can be a challenging topic for many students, due to the need to visualize the three-dimensional structure of molecules. Therefore, the aim of this project is to help you understand and visualize this concept in a more concrete and meaningful way.

The practical application of Geometric Isomerism is vast and has a significant impact on the real world. In the pharmaceutical industry, for example, the three-dimensional structure of molecules can affect the effectiveness of medications. A famous example is the case of thalidomide, a medication used in the 1950s to treat morning sickness during pregnancy. It was later discovered that while one form of the medication was beneficial, the other form (an isomer) caused severe birth defects.

Furthermore, geometric isomerism also plays a significant role in our daily diet. The difference between trans and cis fats, for example, has important implications for our health.

Use the following resources for further exploration of the subject and for the completion of this project:

• Atkins, P.; Jones, L.; Laverman L. Principles of Chemistry - 5th ed - LTC Publisher, 2012.
• An Introduction to Organic Chemistry - Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Paraná
• Geometric Isomerism - BrazilSOS, a site dedicated to science education.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Isomaniacs: A Molecular Journey"

Project Objective

The practical activity is intended for teams of 3 to 5 students with the aim of enhancing the group's understanding of Geometric Isomerism. The activity aims to develop skills such as teamwork, time management, problem-solving, and creative thinking.

Detailed Project Description

In this project, each group will create a set of molecular models and present a dramatization/showing the process of geometric isomerism. The focus will be on the Cis-Trans process, and the goal is for the groups to clearly demonstrate what changes in the spatial arrangement of atoms when geometric isomerism occurs.

Required Materials

• Molecular model construction kit
• Camera for video recording
• Video editing software

Detailed Project Steps

1. Study and Research: Each group should conduct a more in-depth study of the topic, focusing on the real-world applications of geometric isomerism. This research will be the basis for the video script and for the construction of molecular models.

2. Creation of Molecular Models: Using the molecular model kit, the groups should build a pair of geometric isomers. It is important that the models are accurate and clearly different to show the difference between the Cis and Trans forms.

3. Video Script: Based on the research and the constructed molecular models, the groups will develop the video script. The script should clearly explain geometric isomerism, the Cis-Trans process, and how this applies in the real world.

4. Filming and Editing: The groups will perform and film the video according to the script. Different ways to illustrate isomerism should be considered, such as the change in atom positions or molecule rotation.

5. Report Writing: Alongside the video creation, the groups should start writing the project report. The report should detail the entire video creation process, from the initial research to the construction of molecular models and video editing. Additionally, the report should discuss in detail the theory of geometric isomerism and how it applies in practice.

6. Project Presentation: Each group will present their video to the class and explain their creation process.

Project Deliverables

1. Staged Video: A 10 to 15-minute video on geometric isomerism, including a practical demonstration of the Cis-Trans process. The video should be informative and engaging, clearly showing isomerism in action.

2. Written Report: A 5 to 10-page report explaining the video creation process, from initial research to final editing. The report should include a detailed discussion of the theory of geometric isomerism and how it was applied in the video creation. It should be divided into the following sections: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography used.

   • In the Introduction, students should contextualize the topic, its relevance and real-world application, as well as the project's objective.
   • In the Development, they should explain the theory behind geometric isomerism, detail the video production activity, indicate the methodology used in creating the molecular models, and present and discuss the results obtained.
   • In the Conclusion, they should summarize the main points of the work, explain the learnings obtained, and conclude the work addressing the importance of geometric isomerism.
   • In the Bibliography, they should list all sources used for the report elaboration and video production.

3. Presentation: A presentation to the class presenting the video and explaining the creation process.