Candy Equilibrium Scientific Investigation
Before you begin the scientific investigation below, make sure to download the Candy Equilibrium Scientific Investigation Report. As you complete this scientific investigation, fill in any needed information on the report template. If you need more information about each section of the report, please visit the Developmental module.
This scientific investigation is available below or in a printable version.
Introduction
Equilibrium is defined as the relationship between a pair of opposing chemical reactions. In the reaction, there is a forward and reverse process. In the forward process, the reactants are converted into products. In the reverse process, the products are converted into the reactants. When the rates of both processes are equal, the equilibrium is established. This does not mean that the amounts of the reactants and products are the same. In most cases the reactions will favor either the forward or reverse process. The equilibrium constant, K, is calculated to determine the favorable process. In this scientific investigation, you will observe the “reaction” of various colored candy pieces. It is known to the lovers of candy that the following chemical equilibrium occurs in any cup of candy:
Red + Orange ⇄ 2(Green) + Purple |
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Objectives
In this scientific investigation, you will:
Hypothesis
Using the Procedure and Data Collection section below, read through the procedural information for this scientific investigation. Based on your understanding of the procedure, develop your own hypotheses which describe your expected results. You should consider the following questions: How can a cup of candy explain the rates of reaction? How can a cup of candy be used to calculate the equilibrium constant? Record these hypotheses in the Hypothesis section of your Candy Equilibrium Scientific Investigation Report.
Equipment and Materials
Procedure
Data
Record any observations and data on the data table provided in the Data section of your Candy Equilibrium Scientific Investigation Report. The data table is also shown below.
Amount of Each Colored Candy |
Concentration of Each Colored Candy |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Red |
Orange |
Green |
Purple |
Total Candy |
Type of Reaction |
Red |
Orange |
Green |
Purple |
|
0 | 30 |
30 |
0 |
0 |
60 |
- |
0.5 |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
1 | ||||||||||
2 | ||||||||||
3 | ||||||||||
4 | ||||||||||
5 | ||||||||||
6 | ||||||||||
7 | ||||||||||
8 | ||||||||||
9 | ||||||||||
10 |
Data Analysis
In the Data Analysis section of your Candy Equilibrium Scientific Investigation Report, provide the answers to the following questions:
Conclusion
Using the Conclusion section of your Candy Equilibrium Scientific Investigation Report, compose three to four sentences describing an overall conclusion about the results of the experiment. Base your conclusions on your data. Were your hypotheses true or false, and how do you know? Use the data and notes that you collected from your experiment to form your conclusion. Make sure that your include information that your gained from data analysis to support your conclusion.
Experimental Sources of Error
On your Candy Equilibrium Scientific Investigation Report, provide responses to the following questions: Are there any sources of error? If so, what are they, and what could be done to minimize error?
Once you have completed the Candy Equilibrium Scientific Investigation Report, please submit your work to the dropbox.
Once you have completed this module, please complete the module test.