Atom and Molecules

1
Who Can Make the Biggest Crystal?
Tameka Whitney Dallas ISD W.W. Samuell High School
Faculty Mentor Raymundo Arroyave, Ph.D.
Department of Mechanical Engineering Texas
AM University
2
Why is Computational Materials Science important?

• Provides the recipe for creating and testing a
  substance without using experimentation
• Simulates structural, mechanical thermal
  properties

3
Where do I fit in?

• My role is to generate data based on the
  structural properties of copper-tin alloys that
  may be used in the soldering process

4
My E3 Experience

• Diagrams of crystalline structures were
  generated from data obtained through simulations.

Crystal structure of Copper
Copper unit cell Charge
Density Diagram
5
Crystal Structures
Diamond Graphite
Crystal structures aid in understanding the
properties of substances.
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The Connection

• Allow students to create their own crystals to
  study the structure and properties of the
  crystals that are formed as a result of the
  different types of bonding

Epson Salt
Borax
Alum
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TAKS Objective Related TEKS

• Objective 1 Nature of Science
• TEKS 2E, F, H and I -- uses scientific
  methods to solve investigative questions
• TEKS 3E -- uses critical thinking,
  scientific reasoning, and problem solving
  to make informed decisions

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TAKS Objective Related TEKS

• Objective 4 Chemistry
• TEKS 7D -- how atoms form ionic, metallic,
  and covalent bonds

9
Identify Problem
Brainstorm
Design Process
Design
Build
Redesign
Test Evaluate
Share Solution
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Pre-AP Chemistry Project

• Who can create the largest crystal?
• Web Quest
• Purchase materials
• (50 budget)
• Create a brochure advertising their recipe
• Gallery Walk (Chemistry Classes)

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Day 1

• Pre-Test (possibly given at an earlier time)
• Review types of bonding and introduce crystals
• Announce project
• Assign groups (3-4 students)

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Day 2

• Internet search for information on project (Web
  Quest)
• --how to grow crystals
• --substances that may be used
• --how growth rate is affected
• by external stimuli (e.g.,
• temperature, amount of light,
• etc.)
• Create a procedure for growing a crystal

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Day 3

• Purchase materials
• Perform experimentation procedures and begin
  growing crystals
• Begin making brochure

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Day 4

• Make observations, record data and make
  adjustments if necessary
• Complete brochure

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Day 5

• Brochure and Crystal due
• Accountable Talk/Wrap-up
• Post-Test

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Gallery Walk

• Students from Chemistry classes will view and
  score crystals using specific criteria such as
• Clarity of crystal-making instructions
• Size of crystal
• Creativity

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Sample Price List for Crystal
Supplies
Item Price/Unit
Cup of solute 1
Popsicle sticks (set of 2) 1
Pipe Cleaners (set of 3) 1
Use of water bath, dry ice or fridge 5
Mason Jar 5
Plastic Cup 1
Food Coloring 1
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Sample Question

• The reason salt crystals, such as KCl,
• hold together so well is because the
• cations are strongly attracted to
• A. neighboring cations.
• B. the protons in the neighboring
  
• nucleus.
• C. free electrons in the crystals.
• D. neighboring anions.

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Special Thanks

• E3 Team
• Dr. Raymundo Arroyave
• Min Soo Park
• Anchelee Junkaew
• National Science Foundation (NSF)
• Nuclear Power Institute (NPI)
• Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)
• Chevron

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Resources

• K. Momma and F. Izumi, "VESTA a
  three-dimensional visualization system for
  electronic and structural analysis," J. Appl.
  Crystallogr., 41653-658, 2008
• www.tamu.edu
• www.well.ox.ac.uk/kitchen.shtml
• www.ehow.com/how_4828964_own-alum-crystals.html
• azareal.wordpress.com/
• www.wgbh.org
• www.nysedregents.org/