How can we track the flow of energy when propellant is burned?

Daily Do

How can we track the flow of energy when propellant is burned?

Join Today

Sensemaking is actively trying to figure out how the world works (science) or how to design solutions to problems (engineering). Students do science and engineering through the science and engineering practices. Engaging in these practices necessitates that students be part of a learning community to be able to share ideas, evaluate competing ideas, give and receive critique, and reach consensus. Whether this community of learners is made up of classmates or family members, students and adults build and refine science and engineering knowledge together.

Lesson Snapshot

High school students, as scientists, build and apply ideas about chemical reactions to answer the driving question: How can we track the flow of energy when propellant is burned? Students use NetLogo and magnetic marble models of bond making and bond breaking to investigate particle speed. Students observe that particles slow down as bonds are broken and the particles move away from each other. Students also observe that particles speed up as they move toward each other to form bonds. Students figure out that whether a chemical reaction results in a net increase or decrease in energy depends on the difference between the energy used to break bonds and the energy released when new bonds are made.

Click the Download PDF button above for the complete Lesson Plan.

This lesson is Lesson 3 of the Combustion of Rocket Propellants Playlist.

Materials

Student Materials

Per Student

ExGen_HSPlay_L3_SG
NetLogo Bonds & Chemical Energy Simulation
L3 Supplement: Electron Shells and Bond Energy Chart (best printed in color)

Teacher Materials