Discussion on blog entry
Task to be done
Meeting 3
Discussion over the phone (24 Feb)
We decided to split the work into two parts
After reading on the topic that we are assigned, we will come back and discuss together as a team. Eg. Through posting in the blog or email. After discussion, then we will key into the blog under chemical concept tab.
Polar interactions
To answer this, we must first define what a solvent is and how do reactants dissolve in a solvent. A solvent is liquid that acts a medium for reactions to occur. There are 2 types of solvents. They are polar and non-polar solvents.
Polar solvents are when the molecules have dipole moments. The bonds between the atoms have different electronegativity, resulting in a net dipole moment. To determine whether the molecules have dipole moment, it is important to look at the shape of the molecule and the bond angles.
A polar solvent will generally dissolve a polar molecule due to the charges to break up the molecule into ions and the positive charge of the polar molecule will attract the negative ion and vice versa as seen below when NaCl dissolves in H2O. H20 is an example of a polar molecule due to it having a slightly bent shape, the dipole moments do not cancel out resulting in a partially positive H and a partially negative O.
(source: http://chem.wisc.edu/deptfiles/genchem/sstutorial/Text7/Tx75/tx75.html)
This is primarily due to Greenhouse Effect. Greenhouse effect is due to heat trapped by the greenhouse gases such as CO2, N2O and CH4. The greenhouse gases radiates the heat back to earth and causes a heating effect which leads to a rise in global temperatures. The concentration of greenhouse gases has also increased dramatically over the years, which causes the trapping of greenhouse gases and greenhouse effect is enhanced, leading to an overall heating effect rather than cooling effect.
Greenhouse effect explained
It is not justified. Global warming is a trend that describes global temperatures have risen over the years. While extreme climates is believed to be linked to global warming. Melting of ice caps due to global warming has disrupted the normal course of ocean circulation; which regulates global temperature. This disruption has since caused more frequent extreme cold weathers especially in areas such as Europe. Furthermore, Global warming is also linked to shorter duration of winter. Therefore, the cartoon is not justified.
Radar is an equipment that transmit information/signal over very long distance. Microwave radiation has a low frequency and a moderate wavelength as compared to visible light and infra red, however, the wavelength is not long enough to travel though long distances. Furthermore, the energy of the microwave radiation is likely to be absorbed by the molecules that came into contact with it hence, the information might be lost if there is any interference. Therefore, the design with microwave radiation was unsuccessful.
Given that Singapore is a small developed country, in the short run, the most serious problem would be air quality. Singapore faces annual haze from the Indonesia forest fires that produces pollutants which clouds Singapore in a haze. This can cause breathing
difficulties and other health problems, leading to increased coughing or other serious problems in those who have breathing difficulties. This is a recurring problem every year in Singapore and will cause the most problems.
However, in the long run, we will feel the effects of global warming especially with global temperature estimated to rise by 4 degrees by the end 2100. This will definitely have a ripple effect and caused a long term problem for the earth in the near future.
Meeting 2: Voting and ranking on the chemical concepts to focus on
Communication via email and whatsapp
1) Electronegativity (Proposed by Jacob & Pratyum)
2) Dissolution/solvation (Proposed by JieHui & Shantanu)
3) Water treatment (Proposed by Haikal & Jeremy)
Voting results
| Electronegativity | Solvation | Water treatment | |
| Haikal | 3rd | 1st | 2nd |
| Jiehui | 3rd | 1st | 2nd |
| Jacob | 2nd | 1st | 3rd |
| Pratyum | 3rd | 2nd | 1st |
| Shantanu | 2nd | 1st | 3rd |
| Jeremy | 3rd | 2nd | 1st |
| Conclusion | 3rd | 1st | 2nd |
Finalized outline
Brainstorming on the focus on the 4th Feb after class
All the members were present
Some of the topics from Unit 5 suggested were:
1) Electronegativity (Battery, non-bonded interactions)
2) Solvation (The need of detergent/different type of pollutants)
3) Water treatment (Potable water)
Action to be taken: