Introduction and Contextualization

Theoretical Introduction

The matter that makes up our universe is made up of different substances, which are composed of atoms and molecules. These substances can be simple, when they are formed by only one type of atom, or compound, when they are formed by more than one type of atom. The oxygen we breathe, for example, is a simple substance, while the water we drink is a compound substance, formed by hydrogen and oxygen atoms.

Substances do not exist in isolation in nature, they are usually mixed with other substances. These mixtures can be homogeneous, when we cannot visually distinguish the components of the mixture, or heterogeneous, when we can visually distinguish the components of the mixture. Substances and mixtures are present in our daily lives and are the basis of chemistry, the science that studies the composition, structure, and properties of matter, as well as the changes it undergoes during chemical reactions.

This discipline is fundamental for the development of scientific thinking and for the education of well-informed individuals capable of understanding and acting in the world. Therefore, it is important for students to develop a solid understanding of these concepts and be able to apply them in different contexts.

Contextualization

The concepts of substances and mixtures are deeply rooted in our daily lives. From the food we eat to the air we breathe, everything involves substances and mixtures. Understanding these concepts helps us understand how food is prepared, how medications are formulated, how cleaning products work, and much more.

Furthermore, these concepts are fundamental to the fields of chemistry and physics, which have applications in many different fields, including medicine, engineering, environmental sciences, and materials. Therefore, the study of these concepts is not only relevant to everyday life but also prepares students for a variety of careers and future studies.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: Substances and Mixtures in Our Daily Life

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to explore the concept of substances and mixtures, their identification, classification, and application in the real world.

Detailed Project Description

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 people and should choose a common object or product in their daily lives (it can be a food item, a cleaning product, a medication, etc.). From there, students should research and identify the main substances present in that object or product and classify them as simple or compound. Additionally, they should identify whether the object or product in question is a homogeneous or heterogeneous mixture.

Each group should create a detailed presentation about the chosen object or product, including:

• The substances present and their classifications.
• How these substances contribute to the function of the object or product.
• Any chemical reactions that may occur when the object or product is used.
• How understanding these substances and reactions is important for the use of the object or product.

Required Materials

• Internet access for research.
• Presentation software (PowerPoint, Google Slides, etc.).
• Access to suggested bibliography.

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution

1. Group formation: Students should divide into groups of 3 to 5 participants;

2. Object or product selection: Each group should choose a common object or product in their daily lives to be the focus of the project;

3. Research: After choosing the object or product, students should research the substances that compose it, classifying them as simple or compound, and identify whether the product or object is a homogeneous or heterogeneous mixture;

4. Presentation development: Based on the research, each group should create a presentation detailing the substances found, their classifications, and how these substances relate to and interfere with the functionality of the chosen object or product;

5. Presentation: Each group should present their project to the class, explaining the concepts involved, and answering questions from the audience;

6. Report Writing: After the presentation, each group should write a report in the form of a scientific article, with the topics of: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography used.

Project Deliverables

• A PowerPoint or Google Slides presentation detailing the group's research and conclusions.
• A written report in the form of a scientific article. This report should start with an introduction that contextualizes the theme and the relevance of the project, followed by the development in which students explain the theory behind the key concepts, describe the chosen object or product, present and discuss the results obtained. The report should end with a conclusion that summarizes the main points of the work, the lessons learned, and the conclusions drawn from the project. Finally, the bibliography used should be indicated.

Execution Time

The project should be completed within one month, with each student contributing between 5 to 10 hours of work.