We did the magic sand lab in class so as to learn about how molecules bonded together and what created those bonds. We learned about two different types of bonds; Ionic bonds and covalent bonds
When metals and non-metals bond together, it is called an ionic bond. In class, we learned that atoms bond together due to instability in their charges. This instability is present in atoms without a full shell, or 8 outer electrons. These outer electrons are called valence electrons and every element must have a full outer shell to become stable. This results in atoms with less electrons giving up their electrons to atoms with more electrons. The atom with less electrons then becomes positively charged as it gave up its electrons and the other atom has a negative charge because it took on the extra electrons. Because of these positive and negative charges, a magnetic bond is then created between the two atoms. The magnetic bond creates polarized molecules, one end being positive and the other negative. Due to this fact, Ionic compounds are structured as crystals because of the polarized molecules. The crystalline structures form because the oppositely charged ends of molecules are attracted to each other. This is also the reason why some objects are repelled by ionic compounds. The polarized sides of the molecule will push away magnetic charges that are not the same as its own. The magnetic charges in these types of molecules makes ionic compounds very strong
Atoms also bond together in a different way, by creating covalent bonds. A covalent bond is formed not by atoms loosing their electrons to another atom, but instead by two or more atoms sharing electrons with each other. However, covalent bonds are not as strong as ionic bonds because no magnetic force holds the the molecules together in a covalent compound.
Looking Back
The objective of our experiment was to create magic sand, or sand that did not dissolve in water. We took a container full of normal sand and then sprayed the sand with fabric protector to make the sand water-proof. We then mixed the spray up in the sand to thoroughly coat every grain of sand in the container. after this we then poured water into the container to test out if it worked. The experiment was a success and our magic sand did not dissolve in the water. But how did this work?
Looking Beyond
The reason sand usually dissolves in water is because it is an ionic or polar compound just like water. Polar compounds dissolve compounds of the like which is why sand would normally dissolve in water. This means that non-polar substances are hydrophobic and do not dissolve in water. To do the lab, we needed to make the sand non-polar so that it would not be dissolved in the water. The way we accomplished this was by throughly coating the sand with a fabric protector which was a non-polar substance. This gave the sand an outer layer that was non-polar and thus gave it the ability to not dissolve.
Looking Inward
I think that we got desirable results from this lab as we accomplished what we had intended to. This happened because we had the right materials and the knowledge to be able to do the lab. we also mixed the fabric protector in correctly and thoroughly so as to make sure the sand would be completely coated in it. I believe this contributed to our successful results.
Looking Outward
I worked in a group with Liam, Carlos, and Zion. I think we worked well together. We finished the lab on time and without any incidents whatsoever. Even though we worked well together in this lab, I still prefer smaller groups as I feel I work more efficiently in them.
Looking Forward
If I were to do this lab again i wouldn't do anything differently as the lab worked out just as we hoped it would.
When metals and non-metals bond together, it is called an ionic bond. In class, we learned that atoms bond together due to instability in their charges. This instability is present in atoms without a full shell, or 8 outer electrons. These outer electrons are called valence electrons and every element must have a full outer shell to become stable. This results in atoms with less electrons giving up their electrons to atoms with more electrons. The atom with less electrons then becomes positively charged as it gave up its electrons and the other atom has a negative charge because it took on the extra electrons. Because of these positive and negative charges, a magnetic bond is then created between the two atoms. The magnetic bond creates polarized molecules, one end being positive and the other negative. Due to this fact, Ionic compounds are structured as crystals because of the polarized molecules. The crystalline structures form because the oppositely charged ends of molecules are attracted to each other. This is also the reason why some objects are repelled by ionic compounds. The polarized sides of the molecule will push away magnetic charges that are not the same as its own. The magnetic charges in these types of molecules makes ionic compounds very strong
Atoms also bond together in a different way, by creating covalent bonds. A covalent bond is formed not by atoms loosing their electrons to another atom, but instead by two or more atoms sharing electrons with each other. However, covalent bonds are not as strong as ionic bonds because no magnetic force holds the the molecules together in a covalent compound.
Looking Back
The objective of our experiment was to create magic sand, or sand that did not dissolve in water. We took a container full of normal sand and then sprayed the sand with fabric protector to make the sand water-proof. We then mixed the spray up in the sand to thoroughly coat every grain of sand in the container. after this we then poured water into the container to test out if it worked. The experiment was a success and our magic sand did not dissolve in the water. But how did this work?
Looking Beyond
The reason sand usually dissolves in water is because it is an ionic or polar compound just like water. Polar compounds dissolve compounds of the like which is why sand would normally dissolve in water. This means that non-polar substances are hydrophobic and do not dissolve in water. To do the lab, we needed to make the sand non-polar so that it would not be dissolved in the water. The way we accomplished this was by throughly coating the sand with a fabric protector which was a non-polar substance. This gave the sand an outer layer that was non-polar and thus gave it the ability to not dissolve.
Looking Inward
I think that we got desirable results from this lab as we accomplished what we had intended to. This happened because we had the right materials and the knowledge to be able to do the lab. we also mixed the fabric protector in correctly and thoroughly so as to make sure the sand would be completely coated in it. I believe this contributed to our successful results.
Looking Outward
I worked in a group with Liam, Carlos, and Zion. I think we worked well together. We finished the lab on time and without any incidents whatsoever. Even though we worked well together in this lab, I still prefer smaller groups as I feel I work more efficiently in them.
Looking Forward
If I were to do this lab again i wouldn't do anything differently as the lab worked out just as we hoped it would.