Contextualization

Introduction

Chemistry plays a vital role in our daily lives. It is the key to our survival and to understanding the functioning of the world around us. One of these important facets of chemistry is oxides, which are compounds that contain oxygen with one or more other elements.

Oxides are divided into two main categories: basic oxides and acidic oxides. Basic oxides are those that react with water to form a base, while acidic oxides react with water to form an acid. In addition, there are amphoteric oxides that react with acids to form a salt and water and with bases to form salt and water, and neutral oxides, which are compounds of oxygen with noble gases, nitrogen, and carbon, that do not exhibit acidic or basic characteristics.

Oxides have a variety of applications and are present in various sectors, from manufacturing industry to medicine.

Contextualization

From the production of ceramics, glass, to electronic devices, oxides play a significant role in our daily lives. For example, aluminum oxide (Al2O3) is used in the manufacturing of ceramics, refractory glass, as an abrasive, and in coatings to resist corrosion. Nitric oxide (NO) is an important gas that the human body produces to help cells communicate with each other. It plays a crucial role in various biological functions, including inflammation, sleep, and blood pressure control.

Understanding oxides and their properties allows us not only to better understand the world around us but also to develop new materials and technologies that can improve our quality of life.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: Oxides in Industry and Daily Life

Project Objective:

1. Identify and classify different types of oxides.
2. Investigate a specific oxide of your choice, its production process, industrial applications, and its presence in everyday life.
3. Understand the relevance of oxides in industry and daily life.
4. Prepare a detailed report on the investigated oxide.

Detailed Project Description:

The project will involve research, investigation, and writing, in which students will delve into oxide theory and conduct detailed research on an oxide of their choice. Students should look for practical ways to demonstrate or visualize the use of this oxide in everyday life, which can be through a simple experiment, a presentation, or a video, being creative.

The project will be carried out in groups of 3 to 5 students and should have a total duration of approximately 15 hours per student.

Required Materials:

1. Computer with Internet access
2. Chemistry books
3. Camera or smartphone for recording experiments or presentations (optional)

Step by Step:

1. Study and Understanding: Start with the study of oxides, their classification, and their properties. Use the suggested references and others you find.

2. Research and Investigation: Choose a specific oxide to deepen your studies. This choice can be based on your interest, relevance to your community, or availability of resources. Research in detail about this oxide, including its production process, industrial applications, everyday uses, and chemical properties.

3. Conducting Experiment/Demonstration: If possible, find a safe and appropriate way to demonstrate or visualize the use of this oxide in everyday life. This can be a simple experiment, a demonstration, or even a presentation or video. Remember, safety is always a priority.

4. Report Elaboration: Finally, compile everything into a detailed report. The format of this report should be:

   a. Introduction: Provide context on the topic, the relevance of the research, and explain the project's objective.

   b. Development: Here, you should explain the theory of oxides and their role in the world. Detail the oxide you chose, its production process, applications, and properties. Explain the practical activity you carried out and discuss the results obtained.

   c. Conclusion: Summarize your main points, explain what you learned, and draw conclusions from the project.

   d. Bibliography: List all sources of information used to carry out the project.

5. Learning Presentation: Organize a presentation for the class, where you will share what you have learned. Use this opportunity to demonstrate any experiment or presentation you may have done to visualize the use of the chosen oxide.

The final project submission will be the written report, along with any additional material produced during the project such as videos, presentations, or experiments.