1. I.Content Questions A:  Battery Reactions
   

1. 1. Battery and Other Energy Reactions
   

1. A. Batteries
   Batteries are an important part of the energy equation as they work in a capacity to store energy.  They work because various elements change oxidation state and either gain or lose electrons.  This type of reaction is called oxidation-reduction.
   

QUES. 1:  Use the textbook p. 202-203 and use the Zinc/Copper electrochemical cell to define the terms.

Look at Figure7.15 very carefully and watch the direction of the arrows.  Write the overall reaction.  Then  write the reaction that occurs at the zinc anode electrode and that which happens at the copper cathode electrode including whether electrons are being lost or gained.  Read carefully the text along side as well.  You may use both words and equations to describe what is happening.

Then define oxidation and reduction.  Finally apply the definition to the Zinc and Copper reactions.

Single Use Batteries - These contain all of the chemicals which have the stored energy.  When the discharging reactions are complete, the chemicals have been transformed and no more energy is available - you have a dead battery.

QUES. 2:  For the dry cell,  give the overall reaction of the dry cell.  You may use both words and equations to describe what is happening.  Then define of oxidation and reduction and apply them to the reaction which is happening at the cathode and the anode.  Include whether the electrons are lost or gained.  p. 203

QUES. 3: For the pacemaker battery, a type of lithium ion battery, give the overall reaction of the dry cell.  You may use both words and equations to describe what is happening.  Then define of oxidation and reduction and apply them to the reaction to the reaction which is happening at the cathode and the anode.  Include whether the electrons are lost or gained.  p. 204-5

Rechargeable Batteries - These batteries are made out of materials that allow them to be recharged.  Think of your cell phone battery.  What do you need to do when the charge is low?  You need to plug it into the charger that is hooked to an electrical outlet in your house.  By adding electricity from a power plant, you are adding electrons, you reverse the chemical reactions that happened in the discharge mode.  In an automobile, the engine turns a belt that is hooked to a device called a generator.  So as the engine runs it is constantly recharging the battery.  Eventually even a car battery will go dead because there are only a certain amount of cycles that this can be done.

QUES. 4:  For the lead-acid battery, used in cars, give the overall reaction of the lead acid battery.  You may use both words and equations to describe what is happening.  Then define of oxidation and reduction and apply them to the reaction to the reaction which is happening at the cathode and the anode.  Include whether the electrons are lost or gained. p. 207

Fuel Cells -  Fuel cells are a type of battery which is recharged by adding more fuel or chemicals that make the battery work.  One fuel cell that has been in development for years is the oxygen and hydrogen fuel cell.  This fuel cell has been aboard various space craft including the Apollo moon missions, the space shuttle, and the space station.  You can read about the failure of one of the oxygen tanks that caused an explosion on Apollo 13.

QUES. 5:  For the fuel cell, give the overall reaction of the fuel cell.  You may use both words and equations to describe what is happening.  Then define of oxidation and reduction and apply them to the reaction to the reaction which is happening at the cathode and the anode.  Include whether the electrons are lost or gained. p. 202 and 403-405

Photovoltaic Cells -  Photovoltaic cells use energy from the sun to get electrons moving to create electricity.

QUES. 6:  For the photovoltaic cell, explain in detail how it works with the Silicon layers embedded with either Arsenic or Gallium.  Explain how the sun’s energy interacts with the two layers to get the electrons moving.  p. 397-398

II.  Molecule or Report of the Week:

Each student is required to do ONE of the following alternative energy sources.

First look at the Chemistry Discussion Board to select any that are not already taken. At this time you may reserve a topic and post it after doing the research. If necessary you may double up and add to the first report. Use the extensive internet sources which follow below.

Report on ALL of the following:

1. The science behind how it works,

2. Benefits - including how viable of a source is it to make a contribution in the near or far term to the energy mix.

3. Drawbacks in its use, also include economics of use.

4. Environmental effects to secure the resources (where do the materials come from to make the device?)

5. Environmental effects during use or pollution or other side effects.

You may not find written or visual info on all of the items, but think about it anyway. Five paragraph brief summaries of each energy source. 4-5 paragraphs. These may appear as part of the next exam and may serve as a resource.

Solar Houses - Active
Solar Houses - Passive
Solar Photovoltaic
Solar Power Towers or mirror collectors to heat a fuel
Solar Ponds
Ocean Thermal

Biomass - wood or wastes
Biomass - Ethanol
Biomass - Bio diesel
Geothermal - hot or dry steam
Geothermal - Ground heat pumps
Wind
Hydroelectric - potential in this country?  Three Gorges in China
Tides
Hydrogen - How can it be used and how can you make hydrogen?
Fuel Cell - cars
Fuel Cell - power plants
Electric cars (may do several of these)

Hybrid cars

Use CHAP 13 as a first resource, but the online sources are also very good.

ALTERNATE ENERGY SOURCES:

General Internet Resources on Alternate Energies: Specific sites are listed under each subtopic heading below.

Physics 162 U. of Oregon - On-line Class on Alternate Energies - slide down the page  many links

Comparison of Alternate Energy Sources - Lecture from the U. of Oregon

Renewable Energy Basics -  several links

2. Solar Energy - Text p. 395-400

 Introduction type solar energy internet sites:

Solar Technologies Program - DOE

Solar Energy Basics

 A. Passive house designs

Passive Solar Energy

Earth Sheltered Homes - look at 

An Earth Sheltered FAQ; Why Earth Sheltered?

 Active house designs

 Solar Water Heating

Active Solar Heating

U.S. Department of Energy Photovoltaics Program - quite a few sub menus from both right and left sides of the pages.
Energy Fact Sheet - Photovoltaics

 C. Solar Power Towers

 Solar Power Towers - and other solar systems
Solar Tower in Spain

 Solar Pond thermal energy conversion

Solar Gradient Ponds -
Solar Ponds -

 3. a. Water - Hydroelectric (including "pumped storage")

text p. 402
 Hoover Dam
Wind and Hydropower topics
Hydroelectric and Pumped Storage
Three Gorges Dam in China
CNN report Three Gorges
Wash. Post -Three Gorges

 3. b. Tides

text p. 402
Tidal Energy

OTEC - National Renewable Energy Program

5. 5.Wind
   The nearest wind farm to Chicago is straight west about 40 miles in Mendota, IL.
   

text p. 400

Wind Energy Program - DOE
Wind Turbine- How it works - animation
DOE Wind Power- video/animation
ProfONotes: Windmills and wind turbines

1. -Energy from wood, agricultural and urban wastes which can be converted to methanol, ethanol, or methane gas.  In the last several years a large number of ethanol plants have been build which use corn that is fermented to make ethanol.  The unintended consequence is that at least  one third of the U.S. corn crop is now used to make ethanol, resulting in higher meat and other food prices.  The next push will be to use cellulose from non food crops such as switch grass, crop and wood residues.  Ethanol is used as a 10% mixture i gasoline originally to prevent pollution.  It is also available on limited extent as E-85, which is 85% ethanol in gasoline.  Some new cars called flex fuel cars can use it.  However, currently E-85 is slightly less expensive than gasoline, but you also may get 20 % less miles per gallon.
   

2. -On the left is an ethanol plant in Medina, New York (western NY).  There are many more of these plants in Iowa, Indiana, and Illinois.  Rail cars on the right are grain cars, the black tanker rail cars are to transport the ethanol.  The smoke stack in the middle would be the waste heat as steam needed to distill the ethanol from the water/fermentation mixture.
   
   Wood wastes, Ethanol or Biodiesel
   
   Bioenergy - National Renewable Energy Program
   Bioenergy - Info resources
   Ethanol Production - made from starches and sugar - corn or sugar cane
   The Case Against Biofuels - Ethanol
   Biodiesel Production -
   Wood waste to electricity -
   Methane from Cows - convert to electricity
   Biomass Energy
   

 

7. Geothermal - dry steam or hot water deposits

text p. 401
What is Geothermal Energy?
Geothermal Energy Fact Sheet

Ground Source Heat Pumps
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Geothermal Heat Pumps more -

8. 8.Hydrogen - direct use or use of a fuel cell

   

   
   Hydrogen is sometimes touted as the answer to energy problems because it burns with not air pollutants and no carbon dioxide.  The major problem with this source is that hydrogen is currently obtained from methane in natural gas - still a fossil fuel and still gives off CO2 in the conversion process.  Another problem source of hydrogen could be electrolysis of water, but you need more energy from an electrical power plant than you get back.  A nuclear power plant would help here or solar could be used as an energy source.  If you pick this alternate energy source, explain also how you will obtain the hydrogen fuel.
   
   

Text p. , 403

ProfO Notes: Hydrogen Energy Cycle graphic 
Hydrogen Basics
Facts about Hydrogen - American Hydrogen Association
Hydrogen Synthesis methods -
Hydrogen Economy
Drawbacks of using Hydrogen as an Energy source

 9. Batteries - Text p. 202-207

Fuel Cells - EREN
How fuel cells work
Third Orbit Power Systems - Fuel Cells

 10. Electric Automobiles - Text p. 274-75

Electric Vehicles- Includes a variety of types
How hybrids Work -
Toyoto Prius - Hybrid Synergy Drive - how it works
Hybrid Electrics -
Plug-In Hybrid Electrics -
Honda Electric Car
Electric Car Links

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3. III.Content Questions B:
   

11.  Possible Solutions to decrease dependance on foreign oil.

1. A.Fossil Fuel Energy Reserves in the U. S. -  (text p.386-388)
   
   When will the Oil run out? Gives some information and scenarios about how long oil supplies may last.
   Future Scenarios on Oil Supplies
   

QUES. 7:  What are the future of the fossil fuel reserves in this country?  Look at oil, natural gas, and coal and compare North America with the rest of the world.  Which is the the more desirable fuel?  Which one emits the least carbon dioxide, the least?  Which one is in greatest supply, least supply? (text p.386-388)

2. B. Open new Areas for Oil Drilling
   
   Some in Congress have tried to pass laws permitting oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Preserve in Alaska, but so far unsuccessfully. More recently there have been suggestions to open the continental shelf along all of the sea coasts of the U.S. for oil drilling.  Currently it is banned except for a few areas in the Gulf of Mexico.  Congress will probably not permit this either.
   
   

QUES. 8: Should oil drilling be permitted in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?  Some in Congress have tried to pass laws permitting this, but so far unsuccessfully.

ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE -This site supports the YES side. From the home page, check out Background. Also has some 10 top reasons to permit drilling. Also check Native Alaskans that are pro development.
Modern Drilling Requires very little land - also click to the second page.

Wikipedia Article - many links on bottom
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Introduction

Debate - has both yes and no sides.

Oil on Ice - Check out explore the issue - more on no side

 

QUES. 9:  Should oil drilling be permitted off the Florida Coast?  More recently there have been suggestions to open the continental shelf along all of the sea coasts of the U.S. for oil drilling.  Currently it is banned except for a few areas in the Gulf of Mexico.  Congress will probably not permit this either, but the tide of opinion may be shifting.


Reconsider OIl Drilling off the coast of Florida -
Time for Drilling Off Florida -

Battle Looms over oil drilling -

Gulf States Support Ban on Drilling -

C.  Clean Fuels - already did as part of Topic 5 - Fossil Energy Reports

Vision21

Natural gas in remote locations is difficult to bring to the market place for use. Methane is trapped as a hydrate in a frozen state.

Natural gas to Liquids  - Liquified Natural Gas can be transported on ships or through pipelines?
LNG in California - click on the FAQ as well.

Methane Hydrates

Clean Coal Technology - Wikipedia

Coal and other solids may be changed to gases

Coal Gasification

How Gasification Plants work

Coal Gasification - Wikipedia
Underground Coal Gasification - Wikipedia -- graphic -

Coal can be changed into liquids

Text p. 375-76

Coal liquification - Wikipedia

Coal to Liquids - negative side

Coal Sequestration - provides a method to continue burning coal, while at the same time removing the carbon dioxide from the exhaust gases.

Carbon Sequestration - A method to still use coal, but pump the carbon dioxide under ground.

QUES. 10:  If you have not already done one of these, pick one of interest and give the what, how, pro and con for one of them.  One that you probably have not worked on is the idea of carbon sequestration.

C. Conservation - Use less energy and improve efficiencies of existing devices - more energy efficient automobiles? energy efficient furnaces, new types of fluorescent light bulbs, energy efficiency ratings on new appliances.

(text p. 389)

Links to Energy Efficiency sites

Residential Energy Efficiency - Check List

QUES. 11: Should the US raise CAFE (Corporate Automobile Fuel Efficiency) standards for light trucks and SUVs?

This might already be a moot question, since this has finally passed in Congress in 2009.

CAFE Issue -Skip down to the Yes and No internet sites.

Optional or extra credit question (1 point).
QUES. 12. List some things that you could do in your home to increase efficiency and decrease the use of energy. The ideas should be quite specific and things that you will actually do now or in the near future. List one or two items that you did not know about previously.

Home Energy Checklist -

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4. IV.  Issue Question Debate:  Are Bio Fuels the answer to lessen dependance on fossil fuel gasoline?
   

Biofuels have been touted at least as a partial answer to dependance on fossil fuel gasoline and also as a way to lesson the effects of global warming.  The major reason that biofuels can lower carbon dioxide is due to the workings of the carbon cycle.  Carbon dioxide is captured in photosynthesis to grow the plant.  Carbon dioxide is the product of combustion when it is burned.  A simplistic view is that it is thus carbon neutral. 

The first biofuel that comes to mind is ethanol.  If you are observant, you will have noticed the sticker on gasoline pumps that proclaim that at least 10% ethanol is mixed with the gasoline.  Another term that you may or may not have noticed is “flex fuel” in the advertising of some cars.  What this means is that the car can use either gasoline or E-85, which is 85% ethanol.  A few gas stations carry E-85 at the present time,

Another biofuel is biodiesel which is produced from various vegetable oils or used oil and grease from restaurants.  Biodiesel can be made from soybean oil and palm oil.  Soybeans are grown extensively in the MIdwest and in deforested areas of Brazil.  Palm trees are being planted in deforested areas of Indonesia, Malaysia, and other southeast Asian countries.  More carbon dioxide is being produced in deforestation than can ever be recouped from growing crops.

ETHANOL

Ethanol Production - made from starches and sugar - corn or sugar cane
Ethanol Production - from cellulose (the rest of the plants like the corn stalks or grasses) -close to commercialization.

Life Cycle Analysis of Ethanol Production -
Pros and Cons of Biofuels -
Ethanol - Pros and Cons -
Biofuel Guide -
Biofuels watch -
Ethanol Industry - long report, but can just do the executive summary.
Ethanol Basics - look at quite a number of links
The Corn-Ethanol Juggernaut -mostly con
The Case Against Biofuels - Ethanol is not a green fuel
Clean Energy Scam - Time article - showing how the rainforest is being burned to make land to grow cattle and soybeans.
Causes of Deforestation -  Amazon to grow soybeans, corn, and sugar cane, Indonesia - palm trees for palm oil used in biodiesel.
Smoke over the Amazon - show graphs comparing different years of deforestation
Smoke Picture - NASA - red spots are fire, most of the white is smoke
Animated graphic of fires around the world by month 2000-09.  Watch in particular South America.

BIODIESEL

Biodiesel Basics - look at the links
Biodiesel Production -
Palm oil Basics - both pro and con - Wikipedia
Sewage to algae to Biodiesel -
Life Cycle Study of Biodiesel -
Europe may ban palm oil imports - Interesting short article on the negatives of palm oil production
Palm oil is a net emitter of carbon dioxide if grown on deforested peat lands of Indonesia.  Could check further links.
Deforestation in Sumatra, Indonesia - graphic 1992 and 2001

Issue Question Debate:    Are biofuels the answer to lesson dependence on fossil fuel gasoline and diesel?

Please write 4-6 paragraphs.

Questions to consider:  You may choose to talk about either ethanol OR biodiesel OR biofuels in general.  

What is the supposed benefit in using a biofuel as opposed to a fossil fuel - making it as an alternate energy source?
How do you make either ethanol or biodiesel?
Energy is needed to grow corn, energy is needed to make ethanol.  What is the net energy balance (life cycle) in producing the biofuel? 
How much energy is given off when a biofuel is used compared to gasoline or regular diesel?
What are the unintended consequences in growing the biofuels?  You might consider both economics of competition for a food source and environmental effects - increased fertilizer, pesticides, deforestation.
Finally, what is your overall answer to the question - good idea or not?

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5. V.   Response or Ask a Question - respond or comment to someone else, or use General Questions to ask a general question that the Prof or others might answer.  Extra responses earn extra credit (1 pt/ques. up to 2 points)
   
   Response Format:  What or why is something interesting?  Then add a new perspective or viewpoint.  Needs to be longer than one sentence.
   
   Ask a question Format:  Give a little background of what you already know or what is your interest, then add what you already know, then finally ask your question.
   

Charles E. Ophardt, Professor of Chemistry, Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, IL 60126, charleso at elmhurst.edu, Copyright 2009

Content Question A

Ques. No.      Student ID #

Ques. 1       5, 8, 15, 21, 25

Ques. 2       4, 9, 12, 16, 26         

Ques. 3       10, 17, 22, 27

Ques. 4       1, 7, 11, 18, 24, 28

Ques. 5       2, 6, 13, 19, 29

Ques. 6      3, 14, 20, 23, 30