1.3.

1 Project: Semester 1 Honors Chemistry

Project, Part 1 Project
Chemistry Honors Sem Name:
1 Date:

In part 1 of your project, you will choose a specific topic that is related to concepts
covered in semester 1 of your Honors Chemistry course.

Explore Topics

Begin by exploring several possibilities, such as how chemical systems and

substances, as well as changes in matter and energy, can affect the environment,
your health, technology, the economy, or other aspects of society. Find out what
kinds of research have been done on your topic or a similar topic. This will help you
narrow your focus and make decisions about the problem and scientific questions
you want to study. As you explore possible topics of interest, ask yourself the
following questions:

● Is the topic of current scientific interest?

● Is it relevant to you, your future, or your community?

● Does it have identifiable problems that need to be solved or questions that need
to be answered?

● Does it foster different or conflicting points of view that are currently being
argued?

● Does it cause you to ask scientific questions that might lead to testable
hypotheses?

● Can it be investigated or tested using materials you have access to?

Also begin looking for sources of scientific information about matter and energy or
chemical systems in the natural or designed world. These sources must be
authoritative and provide research-based, scientific information, data, and
viewpoints. Before using any source in planning and completing your project, you
must evaluate whether the source is credible and identify the type of bias it is likely
to have. You can include sources with weak credibility or bias, but you must
acknowledge those known weaknesses and biases.
Consider Your Options

As you decide on a topic, think about the three options for the type of project you can
conduct. Carefully consider whether you will be able to explore that topic through an
original investigation. Will you be able to obtain and work with the materials needed
for an experiment? Do you have access to an appropriate place to conduct an
experiment? If not, you should avoid option A and choose either option B or option C.
Then you can decide what type of research to conduct, which will determine the type
of written product you will submit at the end of the semester. Finally, you will discuss
your choices with your teacher and obtain permission to proceed with your project.

Part 1 Assignment

Begin your project by completing the following steps:

1. Choose a scientific topic that can be explored through original research or a

review of scientific and/or technical literature. Describe your topic and why you
chose it. (3 points)

● Freezing point
● Phases of matter
● Freezing point depression
● Solution
● Solute
● Solvent
● Molecules
● Colligative properties
● I live in a place that gets cold in the winter, and have probably seen trucks out
spreading a mixture of sand and salt on the streets after a snowfall to help
de-ice the road. I have sometimes wondered on how does this work?

2. Identify at least two initial sources of authoritative, research-based, scientific

information, data, and viewpoints. List the citations for your sources using proper
American Psychological Association (APA) style. [Example: Author's last name,
initials (publication year). Title of the article. Name of the Source, volume number
(issue number), page numbers.] (2 points)

Science Buddies Staff. "What Makes Ice Melt Fastest?" Science Buddies, 2 Aug.
2023,
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Chem_p049/che
mistry/what-makes-ice-melt-fastest. Accessed 29 May 2024.

Science Buddies. “What Makes Ice Melt Fastest?” Scientific

American, Science Buddies, 24 July 2014,

www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-makes-ice-melt-fastest/.

“Science for Kids: Salt and Ice Experiments.” Only Passionate Curiosity, 3 Jan. 2023,
onlypassionatecuriosity.com/science-for-kids-salt-and-ice-experiments/.

3. Investigate the credibility of each initial source and determine whether it is

accurate and unbiased. Ask and answer the following questions to evaluate the
credibility and reliability of a source:

● What is the purpose of the source of the article? (It should be documenting
scientific research rather than reporting news, providing entertainment, or
marketing products.)

● Is the source current? (It should have been written in the recent past.)
 ● Who was the article written for? (It should be for scientists, educators, or
students rather than for the general public.)

● Is the article in-depth (more than a page or two) and formatted in a scientific
style?

● What is the reputation of the source? (It should be scholarly, peer-reviewed,

nonpolitical, noncommercial, and impartial — not biased.)

● Who are the authors, and what are their credentials? (The names of the authors
should be cited. The authors should be recognized experts in science. For
example, they may be affiliated with academic or professional institutions, and
their academic degrees or job titles may be given in the article byline.)

● Does the article contain misspellings or use words or phrases to influence

thought or opinion?

● Does the article provide supporting documentation? (It should contain charts and
graphs of data and illustrations, as well as several cited references to credible
sources.)

Write an annotation (sentence or paragraph of information) for each of your initial

sources. Each annotation should summarize the purpose of the source, evaluate its
credibility, and explain how it will help you in planning and completing your project.
(4 points)

The two websites do not include bias from any souce, since they are only science
websites and teaches you on how to do proper experiments and science topics. The
two websites cites many other reliable websites and has proper information for each
science experiment.
4. Decide what type of research to conduct, which will determine the type of written
product you will deliver at the end of the semester. Describe the type of project you
want to complete and the basic steps you will follow. (1 point)

To determine which added material will make ice melt fastest

5. Develop at least three variations of a scientific question related to your topic. Write
your questions and annotate each one, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of
each question. (3 points)

What is freezing point depression? When does it happen?

● Strengths:
○ Clearly asks for an explanation of freezing point depression, indicating
understanding.
○ Follow-up question provides an opportunity for deeper explanation or
application.
● Weaknesses:
○ May be too broad and could benefit from more specificity in terms of
context or application.

How are solutions made?

● Strengths:
○ Directly addresses a fundamental concept in chemistry.
○ Allows for a straightforward explanation.
● Weaknesses:
○ Lacks specificity regarding the type of solutions (e.g., aqueous,
solid-liquid, gas-liquid), which might lead to a general or incomplete
answer.
Which of the suggested test substances are soluble in water?

● Strengths:
○ Focuses on application and understanding of solubility principles.
○ Provides a clear criterion for evaluation.
● Weaknesses:
○ Assumes the availability of "suggested test substances," which may
not be known or specified.
○ May not encourage deeper explanation or reasoning beyond a simple
yes/no answer.

Which of the suggested test substances are insoluble in water?

● Strengths:
○ Complements the previous question by addressing the opposite aspect
of solubility.
○ Encourages understanding of the concept through application.
● Weaknesses:
○ Like the previous question, assumes the availability of specific
substances.
○ May also not prompt deeper explanation beyond a simple yes/no
answer.

●
6. Present your scientific topic, initial sources and annotations, and variations of your
scientific question to your teacher for discussion and approval. Adjust your topic,
scientific questions, or project type based on your teacher's feedback. Record the
main points of your discussion and any adjustments you made. Then obtain your
teacher's permission to proceed. (5 points)

Uhh i need your permission

7. Identify the type of written product you will deliver at the end of the project, and
briefly describe the parts of that product. (2 points)

A chart of the different materials’s effects on ice and a better way of melting ice,
maybe put into use in future ways on a grand scale.
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1.3.1 Project: Semester 1 Honors Chemistry Project, Part 1