SCH4U - Chemistry 12 (2024-25) - A

SCH4U-25A

*4-4C: Equilibrium in the World [6%]

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Description

Learning Strands & Expectations

  • I am analysing chemical equilibrium processes, and assessing their impact on biological, biochemical, and technological systems (E1) 
  • I am demonstrating an understanding of the concept of dynamic equilibrium and the variables that cause shifts in the equilibrium of chemical systems (E3) 
  • I am Investigating equilibrium systems at work within the human body (E1.1) 
  • I am exploring how these systems can be disrupted and what the consequences are when equilibrium is lost (E1.2; E2.2) 
  • I am discovering ways that we can help our bodies maintain the different states of equilibrium when they are disrupted (E2.1; E2.2) 

 

Success Criteria:

You will be assessed on the success criteria that is listed here: 

  1. I can write a balanced chemical equation of an equilibrium system with states.(Knowledge)  
  1. I can identify the reactants and products in an equilibrium system. (Knowledge)  
  1. I can describe the equilibrium system and explain its biological importance. (Knowledge) 
  1. I can identify and explain the type of dynamic equilibrium present in a system. (Knowledge )  
  1. I can identify the K value for a system and determine whether or not the reactants or products are favoured. (Thinking)  
  1. I can describe a maximum of 4 negative consequences for when system is not at equilibrium (Thinking)   
  1. I can present my ideas in an organized and logical sequence. (Communication)   
  1. I can use appropriate scientific terminology related to equilibrium constant. (Communication)  
  1. I can speak at an appropriate pace and tone (with inflection). (Communication)  
  1. I can deliver a presentation without reading directly off my notes/script. (Communication) 
  1. I can describe how a buffer works and determine whether or not a buffer is present in a system. (Application )  
  1. I can apply Le Chatelier’s principle to describe how changing concentration, surface area, temperature and adding catalyst will affect an equilibrium system. (Application)  
  1. I can identify factors that disrupt equilibrium and propose solutions to help the system return to or maintain equilibrium. (Application)  
  1. I can cite my sources using APA format. (Application) 
  1. I can use in-text citations and a reference list to acknowledge my research sources.  (Application) 

 

Task

Equilibrium is an important process in both chemical and biological systems.  Within the human body, multiple systems are in a state of equilibrium at any given time.  Our bodies are constantly working to maintain these equilibrium states but there are times when natural processes cannot effectively maintain them.  When these equilibria are disrupted, our bodies let us know. 

Step 1: Select a Topic 

Select one of the systems below to investigate:  

  • Sodium/potassium pump in neurons 

  • Mercury/cysteine equilibrium in fish  

  • Carbon dioxide/carbonic acid equilibrium in oceans and coral reefs 

  • Calcium ions/oxalic acid equilibrium in the kidney 

  • Nitrogen/Oxygen equilibrium in the atmosphere and its role in smog and acid rain production 

 

Step 2: Research your System 

  • Locate 2-3 credible sources to use in your research. Record the information about your sources so that you can cite them correctly using APA format. You will include this information on a References slide at the end of your presentation. (Application) 
  • Research your system to respond to the following questions:   
    • Write a balanced equation for your chosen equilibrium system. Include states. (Knowledge) 
    • Describe the system and explain its biological importance. Provide specific details from your research as part of your description. (Knowledge) 

 

Step 3: Apply Equilibrium Concepts  

  • Identify and explain the type of dynamic equilibrium present (e.g., liquid–vapour equilibrium, weak electrolytes in solution, reversible chemical reactions). (Knowledge) 

  • Identify the reactants and products in your equilibrium system. (Knowledge) 

  • Identify the K value for your system and state whether the products or the reactants are favoured. Justify your statement with an explanation. (Inquiry/Thinking) 

  • Describe how a buffer works. Identify whether or not your chosen system involves a buffer. If it does, briefly describe the purpose of the buffer. (Application) 

  • Apply Le Chatelier’s principle to describe and explain how changing concentration, surface area, temperature and adding catalyst will affect your chosen equilibrium system. Be specific.  (Application) 

  • Identify (through research) at least 4 negative consequences that would result when your chosen system is not in equilibrium. (Inquiry/Thinking) 

  • Identify 1 real-life factor that would cause a disruption to the equilibrium of your chosen system. Propose 1 solution to help the system stay or return to equilibrium.  (Application) 

  

Step 4: Create a PowerPoint (Communication) 

Create a PowerPoint presentation of 10-12 slides that presents your research findings in a clear and logical manner.  Organize your information using the suggested structure below to organize your presentation:  

 

Required Content 

# of Slides 

Introduction  

1 slide 

Background Information  (Step 2) 

2-3 slides 

Applying Equilibrium Concepts  (Step 3) 

5-6 slides 

References  

1 slide 

 

Step 5: Cite your Surces 

  • Cite all of your sources using APA format on a References slide at the end of your presentation.  (Application) 

  • Include in-text citations throughout your presentation.  

  • Review the citation guidelines below to make sure your citations meet APA format expectations.  

 

Step 6: Record your Presentation 

  • Prepare a 7-10 minute video recording of you presenting your research.  To do this:  
    • Prepare a script/ speaking notes that explain your research in your own words. Your script/ notes should not just be the text on your slides.  
    • Practice presenting your slides and delivering your presentation until you are able to do so with hesitation and without reading off your script/ slides/ or notes.  It is okay to glance at them occasionally, but you should not read.  
    • Record your presentation. While recording:  
      • Record your presentation in a quiet space. 
      • Speak loudly and clearly. Enunciate your words clearly. Do not speak to quickly. 
      • Ensure that your face, shoulders, and hands are visible while presenting.  This means setting up your recording so that your face can be fully visible to the camera.  You must also have your slides visible. Some suggestions are: 
        • Use your computer to screen share and record your camera and screen at same time (or record using something like Zoom) 
        • Have someone else record your presentation (Make sure the slides and you are clearly visible to the audience). 
        • Embed a video of you explaining each slide directly into the PowerPoint presentation. 
  • Check that the audio is loud enough and clear.  If not, please rerecord. Your teacher cannot grade your presentation if they can’t hear it!  
  • Check that your recording is within the time limit. If your video is longer than 10 minutes, your grading teacher will only grade up until the 10-minute point.  Any work included after 10 minutes will not be graded.  
  • Submit your recording as a mp4 and submit a your PowerPoint slide deck as a pdf.   
  • If your face and shoulders are not visible in the video, then the assignment will be given a zero. 

   

CITATION GUIDELINES:   

Cite all the sources you used in your research using APA format at the end of your PowerPoint. Include a slide(s) in your PowerPoint with your Reference page. Review the citation guidelines below.  

Citation Style 

APA 

Reference Page 

This assignment requires you to complete an APA style references page that should list the sources you consulted in the creation of your power point presentation and/or video presentation.  

In-Text Citation Requirement 

Please provide in-text citations for all images and text used in your power point presentation.  

Sample citation 

 

Beck, C. B. (2010). An overview of plant structure and development. In An introduction to plant structure and development: Plant Anatomy for the Twenty-First Century (p. 11). essay, Cambridge University Press. 

Sample In-Text Citation 

 

Unlike humans whose capacity for growth stops after a certain point where cells begin replacing dead cells instead of adding tissue, vascular plants can continue to add new cells and tissues to the plant body for as long as they live. This can explain how extremely old vascular plants, like Redwood trees in California, have developed such massive trunks over time (Beck, 2010). 

 

Sample In-Text Citation 

 

Image: 

 

(Beck, 2010) 

For further details on How to Cite your work correctly, please consult the How to Cite page of the Academic Skills Module: Working with Information  

IMPORTANT NOTE:  It is expected that all text be in your own words. Any information used should be paraphrased rather than directly copied. Any text directly copied will be considered plagiarism and result in an academic integrity violation. 

 

Work submitted without any citations will automatically be given an Academic Integrity Violation and a Zero. 

 

NOTE: You are expected to complete this assignment in your own words. Before beginning the assignment it is suggested that you complete the following learning activities. This will ensure that you complete the assignment properly and will help you to understand how to effectively complete a research assignment. 

  1. 1-7B: Plagiarism & How to Avoid It 

 

Submission Requirements 

You must submit two files for this assignment. 

1. Video file of your presentation.   

2. The pdf of the PowerPoint slides that you used in your presentation.