Event 3: Chemical EngineeringChem-E-Car

River Dell High School Team A (RDHSA)

Celyne MohDaniel Ross

Ronald Vertsman

Objective

“Design and construct a car that is powered with a chemical energy source that will travel a given distance and stop. ”

• Commercial batteries (for example, AA batteries) are allowed as the power source if a controlled chemical reaction is used elsewhere in the car’s system (as a stopping mechanism, for example).

Concept

• Iodine clock reaction

• Using a light and photo-sensor to control a motor

KineticsIodine clock:

Step 1: IO3

− (aq) + 3 HSO3

− (aq) I−

(aq) + 3SO42−

(aq) + 3H+ (aq)

Step 2: IO3

− (aq) + 5 I− (aq) + 6 H+ (aq) 3 I2 (aq) + 3 H2O (l)

Step 3: I2 (aq) + starch {a dark blue iodine/starch complex}

Rate = k[NaHSO3]2[KIO3]1 k = 188.04

Allocation of Budget

Item Price

100g Potassium Iodate $17.01

500g Sodium Bisulfite $9.70

500g Starch, Reagent

Soluble$55.60

AAA batteries (20 Batteries) $7.07

Distilled Water (3 Bottles) $2.64

Total $92.02

Construction

• Fiberglass Cylinder

• Batteries

• Circuitry

• Old RC car

• Plexiglas©

• Copper wiring

Circuitry

Kinematics• Photo-sensor• Colors of solutions

Distance Traveled = velocity x time

The proper concentrations for the reactants is determined so the car travels a given distance.

Conclusion

• Car veers too mucho Axle

• Time of trial varies = distance varieso Concentration of solutionso Human Erroro Splashing

Reconstruction (2nd model)

• Car veeringo Replace axleo Replace wheels

• Varying distanceso countdown

Observations (2nd model)

• Car veered less

• Car ran varying distances

Results (2nd model)

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 2115

20

25

30

35

40

mL NaHSO3

Dis

tan

ce (

feet)

Conclusion (2nd model)

• Car Veeringo The axle

• Varying distanceso Momentum o Countdown

Reconstruction (3rd model)

• Front wheel

• Reduce concentration of solutions

• Change variable reactant

• Cork

• Syringe

Observations (3rd model)

• Car runs straight

• Trials are more precise

• Trials are more accurate

• Solutions are not spilling

Final Conclusion

• Car stops within 5ft of destination

• Car runs too fast for complete accuracy

Questions?