Elements and Compounds

Questions: Part 1: Elements vs. Compounds 1. What is the difference between an element and a compound? Cite resources you use for this answer. 2. Give three examples of elements, and three examples of compounds. 3. Table salt is composed of sodium chloride, a compound composed of the elements sodium and chlorine, each of which is dangerous when separate but safe to eat when chemically bonded. Use this website to do some research on the elements sodium and chlorine: https://periodictable.com/ (a) Describe what sodium looks like. (b) Describe what chlorine looks like. Watch this video of the compound sodium chloride being produced from a chemical reaction between the elements sodium and chlorine. (c) What do you observe that indicates a chemical reaction has occurred? (d) Do you think sodium chloride is a substance that has similar properties as sodium and chlorine, or is it an entirely different substance with its own unique properties? Why? (0.5pt) Part 2: Pick a compound.. 4. A compound is a substance composed of more than one element. Most substances you know of are most likely compounds. It may be easy for some of you to pick a compound with which you are already familiar: caffeine, an omega 3 fatty acid, vitamin C, folic acid, ethyl alcohol, or water. But if you're interested in finding one you're not familiar with, browse a list for some examples: Some familiar compounds by different categories: https://www.edinformatics.com/interactive_molecules/3D/ Molecules with funny names: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_chemical_compounds_with_unusual_names (Warning: Some of hese are for mature audiences only!) In one or two sentences, pick a compound and explain why you chose it. 5. Find the following (primary, secondary, and tertiary information, listed below) using the internet and any other books or resources you have. Again, the key is to cite where the information is referenced. Write up the information that you find on your selected compound in paragraph form using complete, grammatically correct sentences with CSE-CS citation style in-text citations and a list of Cited References at the end of the text that you write. (Refer back to Activity 2.) Paragraph 1: Primary information: Name Chemical Formula Formula mass (or "molar mass", also called "molecular mass" or "molecular weight") Standard physical state at room temperature (25C) - is it solid, liquid or gas at 25C? Appearance: color, texture, etc. Paragraph 2: Secondary information: (choose 2 of these at least) How was it discovered? When? By whom? History of name How is it produced? Used in any other important chemical reactions? Paragraph 3: Tertiary information: (choose 2 of these at least) Common Uses Is the compound used in any commercial products? Environmental connection? Any concerns? Present in human body? Biological role? Toxicity Anything else you find interesting Answers: Part 1 1. Element may be defined as any substance that is composed of same type of atoms unlike compound which contains at least two different types of atoms in a fixed proportion. The number of elements found in nature is limited, however the number of compounds are very large as compared to the elements (Lide, 2010). 2. Three example of element are Sodium, Potassium and Chlorine. Three examples of compound are water (H2O), sodium chloride (NaCl) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). 3. Sodium due to its highly reactive nature is never found in its pure form in nature. Sodium is a soft and bright metal with a slightly silvery look. Chlorine exists as a gas and has a pale green colour and is poisonous. The occurrence of chemical reaction is indicated by the change in the physical properties of the individual elements to display the physical properties of sodium chloride. Sodium chloride is a entirely different substance which has its own unique properties. An example of this is that chlorine is a gas and harmful to humans unlike sodium chloride which is solid and necessary for human consumption (Lide, 2010). Part 2 4. The chosen compound is ethyl alcohol which belongs to the alcohol family and has been selected due to its myriad uses in various domains as fuel, solvent and liquor production. 5. Primary Information Name: Ethyl Alcohol Chemical Formula: C2H5OH Formula Mass: 46.07 g per mole Standard physical state at room temperature: Liquid Ethyl alcohol is a flammable liquid which is colourless and has an Secondary Information The process of distillation is known to mankind since centuries, but this process only increased the content of ethanol in the distilled liquor. The first person who obtained ethyl alcohol in its pure form is Johann Tobias Lowitzwho did so in 1796. With regards to commercial production of ethyl alcohol or ethanol, there are mainly two processes as listed below (Lide, 2010). Fermentation of carbohydrates The fermentation method for production of ethanol is based on the fermentation of sugar crops (such as sugarcane, beet root) using yeast cells. Hydration of ethylene This method involves the usage of an acidic catalyst on the mixture of ethylene and steam. It is noteworthy that this process requires high temperature and high pressure as the reaction in endothermic. It is noteworthy that the ethanol obtained through the above two processes needs to be concentrated through distillation. Tertiary information Ethanol has wide commercial usage primarily in the medical field, as a fuel and in liquor. In the medical field, ethanol is used as an antiseptic, antitussive, antidote and medicinal solvent. Ethanol is widely used as an engine fuel and widely added to gasoline in various proportions based upon the underlying engine. It is also used as a fuel for rockets and is comparatively a cleaner fuel as compared to gasoline (EthanolHistory, 2011). Besides, ethanol is consumed by humans and acts as a depressant for the central nervous system. In mild quantities, ethanol can lead to relaxation but high consumption on a regular basis can lead to damage to liver and even death (Brust, 2010). References Brust JCM. Ethanol and Cognition: Indirect Effects, Neurotoxicity and Neuroprotection: A Review,International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2010, 7(4): 15401557 Lide DR. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics,Boca Raton: CRC Press: 2010, 9-55 Ethanol History - From Alcohol to Car Fuel[Internet], Ethanol History: 2011[cited 2016 Jan 27], Available from https://www.ethanolhistory.com/