chemistry boardgame
When presented with the project, my team members and I were first worried that we wouldn’t be able to accomplish the task. But then we slowly brainstormed and came up with different themes involving nature and the elements. We finally decided on a Safari or Jungle Adventure theme for our board game. Once we knew our topic, we had to come up with a game plan.
The objective of our game was to be the first player to reach the end tile. Up to six players could play at a time, and they used 3D printed figurines designed and painted by me. The game board itself was brightly colored and accented with jungle plants. In the center of the board was a spinner that was numbered from one to eight. Each player would take a turn spinning and move their player the designated number of spaces. Even though most tiles helped the player progress forward, there were some tiles required the player to go back to the start or to move back a few tiles. Additionally there were tiles that required the players to mix substances in order to cause a chemical reaction.
Since we needed to integrate three chemical reactions into our game, we decided to include a reaction of zinc and nitric acid, a reaction of ammonium sulfate and copper nitrate, as well as a reaction of aluminum and copper chloride. We thought that these chemical reactions were the most exciting, and safe, ones that could be performed while playing the game.
The objective of our game was to be the first player to reach the end tile. Up to six players could play at a time, and they used 3D printed figurines designed and painted by me. The game board itself was brightly colored and accented with jungle plants. In the center of the board was a spinner that was numbered from one to eight. Each player would take a turn spinning and move their player the designated number of spaces. Even though most tiles helped the player progress forward, there were some tiles required the player to go back to the start or to move back a few tiles. Additionally there were tiles that required the players to mix substances in order to cause a chemical reaction.
Since we needed to integrate three chemical reactions into our game, we decided to include a reaction of zinc and nitric acid, a reaction of ammonium sulfate and copper nitrate, as well as a reaction of aluminum and copper chloride. We thought that these chemical reactions were the most exciting, and safe, ones that could be performed while playing the game.
our reactions
Copper nitrate (Cu(NO3)2) + Ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) - Copper sulfate (CuSO4) + Ammonium nitrate (2 NH4NO3)
This is a double replacement reaction, which means the anions (nitrate and sulfate) of the molecules are traded with each other. We chose this reaction because the change in color was very obvious and aesthetically pleasing.
This is a double replacement reaction, which means the anions (nitrate and sulfate) of the molecules are traded with each other. We chose this reaction because the change in color was very obvious and aesthetically pleasing.
Zinc curved staples (Zn) + nitric acid (HNO3) - Zinc Nitrate (Zn(NO3)2) + Hydrogen Gas (H2)
This is a single replacement reaction, which means the compound in the reaction releases an ion in exchange for another. We chose this because someone ran out of hydrochloric acid. No, we chose it because it was also a very obvious reaction, the release of gases was loud and smelled bad.
Aluminum foil (Al) + copper chloride (CuCl) - Aluminum chloride (AlCl) + copper (Cu)
The goal of this reaction was to destroy a conductive metal, allowing a circuit (such as one we learned in our engineering class) to light up an LED. We used aluminum foil, and destroyed it with an aqueous solution of copper chloride.
This is a single replacement reaction, which means the compound in the reaction releases an ion in exchange for another. We chose this because someone ran out of hydrochloric acid. No, we chose it because it was also a very obvious reaction, the release of gases was loud and smelled bad.
Aluminum foil (Al) + copper chloride (CuCl) - Aluminum chloride (AlCl) + copper (Cu)
The goal of this reaction was to destroy a conductive metal, allowing a circuit (such as one we learned in our engineering class) to light up an LED. We used aluminum foil, and destroyed it with an aqueous solution of copper chloride.
reflection
This project was a challenge from the start because it was difficult to come up with an idea and a way to integrate chemical reactions into the game. However, our team worked well together once we had the concept of the game finalized. To help us come up with ideas for the project, we had to learn about different chemical reactions and understand the science behind those reactions. Therefore, a deeper understand of a skill I gained is understanding how elements react and bond with each other. Prior to the project I knew reactions took place but now I understand why the specific reactions happen. Even though interacting with classmates is difficult, I was able to work with the team and contribute my ideas and opinions. I came up with the idea to have the chemical reaction of ammonium sulfate and copper nitrate, created the spinner, designed and printed the player pieces, as well as provided the plant decorations.
As mentioned, one of the most challenging aspect of the project was coming up with ideas for the project. As a team we had a hard time trying to integrate all aspects of the project into one idea. In the future, I hope to improve my brainstorming ability to come to a conclusion faster. I also wish I had spoken up a bit more because I wanted to integrate fire into our project. Additionally, we did not do a great job with our time management because we did not have much time to finalize the LED aspect of the project before the project was due.
Overall our team worked well together and we came up with an inviting game that I was excited to play. I enjoyed learning about the chemical reactions but I enjoyed performing the reactions even more. Even though making the game was a fun challenge, I would have loved to have more time to mess around with the chemicals to learn more about each element and how it reacts to other elements.
As mentioned, one of the most challenging aspect of the project was coming up with ideas for the project. As a team we had a hard time trying to integrate all aspects of the project into one idea. In the future, I hope to improve my brainstorming ability to come to a conclusion faster. I also wish I had spoken up a bit more because I wanted to integrate fire into our project. Additionally, we did not do a great job with our time management because we did not have much time to finalize the LED aspect of the project before the project was due.
Overall our team worked well together and we came up with an inviting game that I was excited to play. I enjoyed learning about the chemical reactions but I enjoyed performing the reactions even more. Even though making the game was a fun challenge, I would have loved to have more time to mess around with the chemicals to learn more about each element and how it reacts to other elements.