CARBON: THE ELEMENT OF LIFE

Transcription

1 1 Pre-Test Directions: This will help you discover what you know about the subject of matter before you begin this lesson. Answer the following true or false. 1. Carbon is in all molecules of every living thing. T F 2. Carbon's atomic number is 5. T F 3. The octet rule states that atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons in order to acquire a full set of valence electrons. T F 4. Carbon can only link with other carbon atoms in single bonds. T F 5. Hydrocarbons are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and other elements. T F 6. Methane gas is a hydrocarbon. T F 7. All hydrocarbons with the prefix of "oct" have molecules with eight carbon atoms. T F 8. Halocarbons have oxygen atoms. T F 9. Plastics are made from organic compounds. T F 10. Photosynthesis is a fundamental life process carried out by plants and some microorganisms. T F

2 2a Vocabulary Definitions The following words and terms used in the program may be unfamiliar to you. Try to listen for these terms while viewing the program, pay close attention so you can later include them in your scientific descriptions, observations, and creative writing assignment activities. aldehydes - A compound in the carbonyl group. alkanes - Hydrocarbons where the carbon atoms are linked with a single bond. alkenes - Hydrocarbons where one pair of carbon atoms are linked with a double bond. alkynes - Hydrocarbons where one pair of carbon atoms are linked with a triple bond. atom - The fundamental unit of matter in the universe made up of a nucleus of protons and neutrons and orbiting electrons. atomic number - The number of an element, determined by the number of protons in its nucleus. biodegrade - Decompose. carbon - Element with the atomic number of 6 and the symbol of C. carbon dioxide - CO2. In the atmosphere carbon dioxide is the most important greenhouse gas. carbonyl group - A functional group with an oxygen atom attached to a carbon atom by a double covalent bond. chemical reactions - A change in the chemical composition of a substance. compounds - When valence electrons of elements are lost, gained, or shared between different atoms to create substances with unique chemical properties. cycloalkane - Alkanes whose molecules are formed in a ring double bond - Compounds with a pair of atoms sharing two electrons. electrons - Negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus of atoms. element - An atom with a unique number of protons. energy - In physics and chemistry, energy is work, or the capacity to do work. energy levels - Electrons orbit the nucleus of atoms with different levels of energy. These energy levels are sometimes called shells or levels. ethane gas - An alkane hydrocarbon. ethanol - The alcohol in alcoholic drinks. A type of ethanol can be blended with gasoline. fossil fuels - Fuels composed of organic compounds. functional groups - Classes of hydrocarbon derivatives. halocarbons - A functional group where one or more of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by atoms from the halogen family: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine. hydrocarbon derivatives - Compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, and other elements. hydrocarbons - Molecules that only contain carbon and hydrogen. hydrogen - The element with the atomic number of 1 and the symbol of H. Hydrogen is the most common element in the universe. hydroxyl group - A functional group that contains OH. These are the alcohols. ketones - A compound in the carbonyl group. matter - Material that makes up objects. Matter cannot be created or destroyed. methane - The simplest hydrocarbon, CH4 methanol - The simplest of the alcohol group, often called wood alcohol. molecules - When electrons are shared between atoms. Molecules have covalent bonds. monomers - Sub-units of polymers, which can link into long chains. octet rule - Atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons in order to acquire a full set of valence electrons. orbitals - The shapes of the orbits of electrons. organic chemistry - The study of carbon compounds. oxygen - The element with atomic number of 8 and the symbol of O. period - Horizontal rows of the periodic table. periodic table - The arrangements of elements according to their atomic number and group. photosynthesis - A complex chemical process that occurs in the leaves of plants and some microorganisms in which light from the sun is combined with water to produce chemical energy that can be used by plants and animals. In the process oxygen, O2, is released into the atmosphere. plastics - Synthetic polymers. polymers - Compounds with a backbone of carbon atoms. Polymers are made up of subunits called monomers, which link together in long chains to make larger molecules. proton - Positively charged part of the nucleus of atoms saturated hydrocarbons - The molecules in these hydrocarbons are filled to capacity with hydrogen atoms. single bond - Compounds with a pair of atoms sharing one electron. triple bond - Compounds with a pair of atoms sharing three electrons unsaturated hydrocarbons - The molecules in these hydrocarbons are not filled to capacity with hydrogen atoms. valence electrons - The outer ring of electrons of an element. nucleus - The center of an atom.

3 2b Use the Right Word Directions: Find the right word from the vocabulary list that completes the following sentences. 1. The study of carbon compounds is called chemistry. 2. The element has the atomic number of A has molecules containing only carbon and hydrogen. 4. Hydrocarbons, where the carbon atoms are linked with a single bond, are called. 5. The functional group, where one or more of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by atoms from the halogen family, are called. 6. The alcohols are in a functional group called the group. 7. All fuels are composed of organic compounds. 8. Polymers are made up of subunits called, which link together into long chains to make larger molecules. 9. The life processes in all living things involve thousands of chemical that happen continuously. 10. The process that occurs in the leaves of plants and some microorganisms in which light from the sun is combined with water to produce energy, which can be used by plants and animals and O2, which is released into the atmosphere, is called.

4 2c Word Match Directions: Connect the word with the proper definition. alkenes alkynes biodegrade carbon hydrocarbon hydrogen hydroxyl synthetic polymers molecules containing carbon and hydrogen can link into long chains group containing alcohols carbon atoms linked with a double bond decompose carbon atoms linked with a triple bond methane element with atomic number of 1 monomers simplest hydrocarbon, CH4 plastics element with atomic number of 6

5 3 Connected/Not Connected Directions: Place the following words in the proper sentences. alkanes ethanol methane organic alkenes halocarbon methanol plastics biodegradable hydrogen monomers polymers carbon hydroxyl octane propane ethane living things octyne propyne 1. chemistry is connected to because it is the study of living things or things that were once living. 2. are NOT connected to because one family of compounds contain only single bonds between the carbon atoms and the other family of compounds contain a pair of carbon atoms linked by a double bond. 3. atoms are connected to atoms because only these two elements are in hydrocarbons. 4. is NOT connected to because one has one carbon atom and the other has two carbon atoms. 5. is connected to because both have eight carbon atoms. 6. is NOT connected to because, although both have three carbon atoms, in one, the carbon atoms are connected with single bonds, and, in the other, two of the carbon atoms are connected with a triple bond. 7. is connected to because both are alcohols and are in the hydroxyl group. 8. The group is NOT connected to the group because one group is made up of molecules where some of the hydrogen atoms are replaced with atoms from the halogen family, and, in the other, the hydrogen atoms are replaced by OH atoms. 9. are connected to because they are made up of sub-units which link together in long chains to make larger molecules often containing thousands or millions of atoms. 10. are NOT connected to substances because the strength of their molecular bonds means they do not break down easily.

6 4 Crossword Puzzle Across 3. Contains OH. 4. Some hydrogen atoms replaced by atoms from the halogen family. 5. Links between atoms. 7. Atomic number Atomic number Atomic number Hydrocarbons with carbon atoms linked by single bonds. 13. Sub-units of polymers. Down: 1. Horizontal row of the periodic table. 2. chemistry. 3. made up only of carbon and hydrogen atoms. 5. Decompose. 6. Synthetic polymers. 8. Simplest of the alcohol group. 9. Simplest of the hydrocarbons.

7 5 Creative Writing Story Ideas Directions: Choose from one of the ideas listed below and write a story or dramatization. Include plot lines that follow scientific principles and key vocabulary terms Create a dialogue between two characters. One of the characters has a pre-scientific view and believes that all living things have a vital life force, while the other takes the scientific point of view that all matter, whether it is organic or inorganic, follows the same scientific principles. 2. Write a science fiction story about a character born without carbon in his or her molecules. 3. Write a long poem that humorously plays with hydrocarbon prefixes and other organic chemistry names. 4. You are a member of a student group fighting air pollution and have been asked by city council to make proposals to reduce CO2 emissions. You have written your speech and nervously wait to address the councilors when another group enters the council chambers intent on disrupting your remarks. Describe what happens. 5. Write a film script about a scientist and his or her assistant who are trying to invent a new plastic automobile.

8 6 Video Quiz Directions: Answer the following either true or false, or fill in the blank with the correct word to make it true. 1. All matter follows the same principles but there are significant differences in the chemical make up of organic and inorganic substances. 2. The element carbon provides the foundation of the molecular structure of every living thing whether they are plants, animals or microorganisms. 3. Carbon has the atomic number of 7 and is in the third period of the periodic table. 4. Because of its characteristics carbon frequently links up with other carbon atoms and other elements. 5. Hydrocarbons are molecules of carbon, hydrogen, and other elements. 6. Methane is the only alkane. 7. A number of organic compounds contain carbon, hydrogen, and other elements. They are called hydrocarbon derivatives. 8. Plastics are made from inorganic material and never contain the element carbon. 9. The life processes in all living organisms involve thousands of chemical reactions that happen continuously. 10. Animals perform photosynthesis in their cells.

9 7 7 Post-Test Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate term from the list below. alkane carbon functional organic alkene carbonyl hydrocarbons oxygen alkyne cycloalkane hydrogen photosynthesis atomic electron methane polymers bond element molecules propane 1. Organic chemistry is defined as the study of compounds. 2. Hydrocarbon molecules only contain carbon and atoms. 3. The family of hydrocarbons contain only single bonds between the carbon atoms. 4. Chemists have been able to make synthetic called plastic. Directions: Fill in the blank with True or False. If the statement is false, change it to make the statement true. Rewrite the true statement in the space provided. 5. Organic chemistry is defined as the study of hydrogen compounds. 6. The alkene family of hydrocarbons contain only single bonds between the carbon atoms. 7. In halocarbons, one or more of the hydrogen atoms have been replaced by atoms from the halogen family. 8. The hydroxyl group include all of the sugars. 9. Plastics are organic polymers. Essay Section Directions: Answer the following questions in complete sentences. Use the back of this page or a separate sheet of paper if you need more space to complete your answer. 10. Explain why carbon has the ability to unite with so many other elements. 11. Describe the hydroxyl group. 12. What are monomers?