A Webquest for Combustion Reactions

 

Michelle Cuff

Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion


Introduction

This activity is intended to introduce the student to combustion reactions. combustion reactions are a part of everyday life. Without them, life would be lived quite differently from the way we live now. In this activity you will learn about combustion reactions; what is required for them to occur, what are their chemical products? More importantly, what are the applications that we humans use them for?



The Task

As you move through this activity you will answer a series of questions. The answers to these questions can be found in the web pages that you will be browsing. The questions to be answered are as follows:

  • What is required for a combustion reaction to occur?
  • What are the products of the combustion of C2H2 ( Acetylene )?
  • Is Acetylene a hydrocarbon?
  • What is a hydrocarbon?
  • What are some of the ways that we use combustion reactions?
  • What is the structure of Methanol? Molecular weight? Flashpoint?
  • Why should Methanol only be burned in a plastic container?
  • How combustible is is liquid oxygen?



Resources

The following are the websites you will be browsing:

The Acetylene powered trash can rocket provides a good example of a combustion reaction.

Indy Cars can reach speeds of over 200 mph because of the fuel they use.

Some combustion reactions are meant to be looked at. Check out these pyrotechnics.

This site provides some useful information about Methanol. Type Methanol into the search field and click submit.

Look out! Methanol can be dangerous.



The Process

This is an individual assignment. Begin by reading the questions. Then, beginning with the first link in the Resources section, begin viewing the websites. These sites are listed in sequence with the questions, so you shouldn't need to jump around. View each site carefully--some sites contain the answers to more than one question. Use a separate sheet of paper to keep track of your answers. Happy Browsing!



Evaluation

You will be graded on this activity individually. When you are finished, sign your paper that you have written your answers on and hand it in to me at the end of the period.



Conclusion

This activity only illustrated a couple of the uses we have for combustion reactions. Take a good look at your house when you go home. How many places can you find where combustion is part of your life?


Last updated June 29, 1998

Based on a template from The Webquest Page.