Equilibrium Project
Decompression Sickness (The Bends)
Objective:
This project includes a social media campaign informing at last 100 people of the dynamic condition-dependent balance of a chemical reaction at equilibrium. A supporting document is also incorporated to record sources related to information about the specific topic. The social media campaign must contain: chemical formula, data with numbers or graph, explanation of the concept, and description of system in balance, out of balance and how different disturbances affect the reaction. The supporting document with reliable sources includes being in MLA format and paragraphs summarizing each source.
This project includes a social media campaign informing at last 100 people of the dynamic condition-dependent balance of a chemical reaction at equilibrium. A supporting document is also incorporated to record sources related to information about the specific topic. The social media campaign must contain: chemical formula, data with numbers or graph, explanation of the concept, and description of system in balance, out of balance and how different disturbances affect the reaction. The supporting document with reliable sources includes being in MLA format and paragraphs summarizing each source.
Infographic:
As my social media of choice, I chose to make an infographic to display my research about decompression sickness
As my social media of choice, I chose to make an infographic to display my research about decompression sickness
Chemistry Concepts:
* = how the concept links to the topic
1). Decompression Sickness (The Bends) - a condition that results when rapid decompression causes nitrogen bubbles to form in the tissues of the body. It is suffered specifically by divers, and can lead to severe pain in the muscles and joints, and may cause cramps, numbness, nausea, and paralysis
2). Equilibrium - a state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced
3). Chemical Equation - N2(inhaled)/(exhaled) ↔ N2(in the body) N2(g)↔N2(l)
* When pressure increases, the nitrogen cannot escape while exhaling. Your body absorbs the nitrogen into tissue and the blood stream to maintain equilibrium (the “reaction” shifts right). When pressure decreases, the stored nitrogen is free to escape and is exhaled (the “reaction” shifts left). This system is exhibiting homogeneous equilibrium since all species are in the gas phase.
4). Le Chatelier’s Principle - if a system at equilibrium is subjected to stress, the equilibrium is shifted in the direction that tends to relieve the stress
* Your body maintains an equilibrium by absorbing and releasing nitrogen in relation to the pressure that is expected for a system in equilibrium
5). The Bends at a Molecular Level - As the pressure of the gas increases, molecules that are in the lungs get packed more closely together. At a higher pressure, a given number of gas molecules will occupy a smaller volume.
*greater the pressure = more tightly packed or more highly concentrated gas molecules
* = how the concept links to the topic
1). Decompression Sickness (The Bends) - a condition that results when rapid decompression causes nitrogen bubbles to form in the tissues of the body. It is suffered specifically by divers, and can lead to severe pain in the muscles and joints, and may cause cramps, numbness, nausea, and paralysis
2). Equilibrium - a state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced
3). Chemical Equation - N2(inhaled)/(exhaled) ↔ N2(in the body) N2(g)↔N2(l)
* When pressure increases, the nitrogen cannot escape while exhaling. Your body absorbs the nitrogen into tissue and the blood stream to maintain equilibrium (the “reaction” shifts right). When pressure decreases, the stored nitrogen is free to escape and is exhaled (the “reaction” shifts left). This system is exhibiting homogeneous equilibrium since all species are in the gas phase.
4). Le Chatelier’s Principle - if a system at equilibrium is subjected to stress, the equilibrium is shifted in the direction that tends to relieve the stress
* Your body maintains an equilibrium by absorbing and releasing nitrogen in relation to the pressure that is expected for a system in equilibrium
5). The Bends at a Molecular Level - As the pressure of the gas increases, molecules that are in the lungs get packed more closely together. At a higher pressure, a given number of gas molecules will occupy a smaller volume.
*greater the pressure = more tightly packed or more highly concentrated gas molecules
Reflection:
This project was challenging in some aspects with a lot of mishaps along the way, however I did come to learn a lot about my topic and how it relates to chemistry. The main obstacles that came up in the process were trouble researching to find the chemical equation for decompression sickness, planning out what social medium I wanted to use, and lastly, struggling to print out my infographic. Although, there were still some high points such as successfully researching important information and transferring the data into an organized, visual template.
I learned a lot from this project not only because of all the research, but also because scuba diving is something I have been wanting to do for a very long time and so it made it easier to absorb the information. For one, I did not know the degree of severity decompression sickness can have on your body, especially your lungs. Secondly, I learned the importance of having a proper balance of nitrogen levels and how that equilibrium can be altered due to decreasing or increasing amounts of pressure. A few skills I gained throughout this process include understanding equilibrium and how to make an infographic.
There are always room for improvements, especially when it comes to science when trial and error are actively present. For me, I specifically need to work on planning ahead. By preparing myself for different outcomes, I can adapt better to unexpected situations, as well as stay more focus on my current goals. This will also lower the chances of technological problems, like printing, from occurring. Another aspect I will continue to better myself on is asking more questions. Asking questions not only ensures clarity, but it also will help in getting a better sense of your objective at hand. In future projects I can ask my classmates what they are doing so I can see the project in a different perspective, and I can look to my teachers for advice and clearing confusion. With the two improvements of planning ahead and asking more questions, it will make for a better final project in the end.
Recap:
2 Pits: trouble in finding the correct chemical equation and not being able to print my final product
2 Peaks: creating an organized infogrpahic and learning how maintaining equilibrium is detrimental in many cases in life
This project was challenging in some aspects with a lot of mishaps along the way, however I did come to learn a lot about my topic and how it relates to chemistry. The main obstacles that came up in the process were trouble researching to find the chemical equation for decompression sickness, planning out what social medium I wanted to use, and lastly, struggling to print out my infographic. Although, there were still some high points such as successfully researching important information and transferring the data into an organized, visual template.
I learned a lot from this project not only because of all the research, but also because scuba diving is something I have been wanting to do for a very long time and so it made it easier to absorb the information. For one, I did not know the degree of severity decompression sickness can have on your body, especially your lungs. Secondly, I learned the importance of having a proper balance of nitrogen levels and how that equilibrium can be altered due to decreasing or increasing amounts of pressure. A few skills I gained throughout this process include understanding equilibrium and how to make an infographic.
There are always room for improvements, especially when it comes to science when trial and error are actively present. For me, I specifically need to work on planning ahead. By preparing myself for different outcomes, I can adapt better to unexpected situations, as well as stay more focus on my current goals. This will also lower the chances of technological problems, like printing, from occurring. Another aspect I will continue to better myself on is asking more questions. Asking questions not only ensures clarity, but it also will help in getting a better sense of your objective at hand. In future projects I can ask my classmates what they are doing so I can see the project in a different perspective, and I can look to my teachers for advice and clearing confusion. With the two improvements of planning ahead and asking more questions, it will make for a better final project in the end.
Recap:
2 Pits: trouble in finding the correct chemical equation and not being able to print my final product
2 Peaks: creating an organized infogrpahic and learning how maintaining equilibrium is detrimental in many cases in life