Introduction and Contextualization

Introduction

Organic Chemistry is a branch of Science that studies carbon compounds and their reactions. In particular, the classification of carbon chains is one of the main topics of study. A carbon chain is a sequence of carbon atoms in an organic molecule. Carbon chains can be classified into various groups, depending on their characteristics.

The most common groups include open chains, closed chains, aromatic chains, homogeneous chains, heterogeneous chains, branched chains, straight chains, saturated chains, and unsaturated chains. Learning how to correctly classify carbon chains is crucial to understanding the structure and reactivity of organic molecules.

This project will provide a valuable opportunity to explore and understand the classification of carbon chains. Furthermore, it will provide an opportunity to improve important skills such as time management, communication, problem-solving, creative thinking, and proactivity.

Contextualization

The classification of carbon chains is not only an academic topic but also has practical applications. For example, the pharmaceutical industry often relies on the structure of molecules to design new drugs. The classification of carbon chains can give an idea of how a molecule can interact with other substances, which is crucial for drug design.

Furthermore, many chemical reactions that occur in our daily lives, such as the combustion of gasoline in our cars or the digestion of food in our bodies, involve organic compounds. Therefore, a clear understanding of carbon chains and their classification can help us better understand the world around us.

Practical Activity

Title: Demystifying Carbon Chains

Project Objective

In this project, groups of 3 to 5 students will be challenged to create a clear and engaging presentation on the classification of carbon chains.

Detailed Project Description

Each team will be responsible for exploring and presenting two types of carbon chains. Teams should start by researching and studying the concepts related to each type of chain, including definitions, characteristics, and practical examples.

Next, the groups should create physical or digital models of their carbon chains using materials of their choice. The models should be detailed enough to demonstrate the important properties and characteristics of each type of chain.

Finally, each team should prepare a 15 to 20-minute presentation explaining their carbon chains to the class. The presentation should include a discussion of the characteristics of each chain, how it is classified, practical examples where they are found, and a demonstration of the created model.

Required Materials

• Research materials (textbooks, internet access)
• Materials for building the models (may vary depending on the type of model chosen). Playdough, sticks, Styrofoam balls, 3D modeling programs, among others, could be used.
• Presentation software (e.g. Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides)

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Completion

1. Divide the class into groups of 3 to 5 students.
2. Assign the types of carbon chains to the groups.
3. Explain to them that they should research the assigned types of carbon chains, build models of these chains, and prepare a presentation for the class.
4. Provide them with the necessary time for research, model construction, and presentation preparation.
5. Schedule a day for the presentations, allowing each group 15 to 20 minutes for the presentation and subsequent questions.
6. After the presentations, each group should write their final report, documenting the entire process from initial research to the completion of the presentation.

Project Deliverables

In addition to the presentation, each group must submit a written report following the general guidelines given at the beginning of the project. The report should include:

1. Introduction: Provide context for the topic, its relevance and real-world application, and the project's objective.
2. Development: Explain the theory behind the assigned types of carbon chains, detail the process of building the models, identify the methodology used, and present and discuss the results (i.e., the effectiveness of their models and presentations).
3. Conclusion: The group should conclude the work by summarizing its main points, explaining the lessons learned, and drawing conclusions about the project.
4. Bibliography: The group will list the sources used to work on the project, such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

Remember, the goal of this project is not only to explore the classification of carbon chains but also to promote teamwork, problem-solving, creative thinking, and proactivity.