Context

In our daily lives, we are constantly surrounded by a variety of organic compounds. They are the structural basis of our lives, forming the components of cells and tissues in living organisms. Additionally, many materials we interact with daily, such as plastics, medications, foods, and fuels, are organic compounds. In this context, studying the physical properties of these compounds becomes extremely relevant.

Organic chemistry is the discipline that studies carbon compounds. Among its various subdivisions, one of the most important is the study of the physical properties of organic compounds. The most relevant physical properties to be considered are usually: melting point, boiling point, solubility, density, refractivity, polarity, among others. Each of these properties is influenced by the molecular structure of the compound and the intermolecular interactions that occur between its molecules.

In this project, we will focus on two of these properties: solubility and density. Solubility is the ability of a substance (the solute) to dissolve in another (the solvent). Density is the amount of mass per unit volume of a substance.

Importance and Real-World Applications

The physical properties of organic compounds play a vital role in our daily lives and also in various industrial fields. For example, solubility is a crucial parameter in the pharmaceutical industry, where it is necessary for medications to dissolve properly in body fluids to be effective. Furthermore, density is an important property for the food and beverage industry, as it can affect the texture and feel of a product.

Understanding these properties can also help us make more informed and sustainable choices in our daily lives. For example, by knowing more about density and solubility, we can better understand why some materials float in water and others sink, or why some residues are easier to remove with detergent than others.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Exploring the Density and Solubility of Organic Compounds"

Project Objective:

To practically and playfully explore the density and solubility of different organic compounds, mainly oils and alcohols, relating to the studied theoretical content. The activity aims to deepen the understanding of these properties and their influences in daily life and industrial applications, as well as to develop teamwork, planning, and communication skills.

Detailed Project Description:

Groups will be challenged to carry out a series of experiments with different organic compounds to investigate their densities and solubilities. Students should identify patterns and make predictions based on their observations. After conducting the experiments, each group will prepare a detailed report of their findings and analyze the relevance and implications of their observations.

Required Materials:

• Various organic compounds (vegetable and mineral oils, alcohols such as ethanol, propanol, and butanol)
• Water
• Precision balance
• 100ml graduated cylinders
• Test tubes
• Pipettes
• Stirrer

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution:

1. Group Formation: Each group should consist of 3 to 5 students. Group formation can be done by the students themselves or by the teacher, according to the classroom dynamics.

2. Preparatory Study: Before starting the practical activity, groups should study the physical properties of organic compounds, focusing on solubility and density. During the study, students should also plan the experiment execution.

3. Experiment Execution:

   • Weighing the compounds: Each group should weigh the same amount (chosen by the group, e.g., 50g) of each organic compound using the precision balance.
   • Density measurement: Each group should measure the volume of each organic compound using pipettes and graduated cylinders and then calculate the density using the formula Density = Mass/Volume.
   • Solubility test: Each group should add the same amount of water to each organic compound in separate test tubes and stir. The groups should observe and record whether the compound dissolves in water (soluble) or not (insoluble).

4. Results Analysis: Groups should analyze the results obtained, relating them to the theory studied and observing the variations and patterns found.

5. Report Elaboration: Each group should prepare a report following the structure presented earlier (Introduction, Development, Conclusion, and Bibliography). The report should detail all the steps taken, the results obtained, the analyses made, and the relationship between theory and practice. Additionally, the report should provide a general conclusion, indicating the learning acquired and the discoveries made.

Project Delivery:

The project will be completed with the submission of the written report. All group members should participate in its preparation and presentation. The report should include details of all project steps, from group formation and preparatory study to experiment execution and results analysis. The analyses should be well-founded and based on the data obtained in the experiments.

The report should be written in a clear and organized manner, making it possible to understand the entire project implementation process and the discoveries made by the group. Furthermore, the bibliography used to support the analyses and conclusions should be properly cited.