Chemistry

 Welcome to my Junior year chemistry page. We are engaging our leartning of chemistry related studies by gradually moving through common chemistry topics including molecular sciences as well as chemical reactions. The project featured below, is our first chemistry project for this year. the task was to evaluate a product that is used in our comercial world and look for possble chemical alterations that cn be made in order to improve the initial product. I chose to evalute lacrosse sticks produced by Warrior Lacrosse and find an alternative compound to be used in the fabrication of lacrosse sticks.

3206 Main Avenue

Durango, CO 81301

(970)-247-2474

Cooper A. Stowers

9465 C.R. 250
Durango, Colorado 81301

October 31, 2011
Warrior - US
32125 Hollingsworth Ave.
Warren, MI 48092

Dear manufacturers of Warrior Lacrosse products and sales,

I am a student at Animas High School in Durango, Colorado and I am writing this letter in order to inform you of a more effective material for a standard lacrosse handle. We all know that the race to create the perfect stick is a priority to stick manufacturers and players alike and I’m sure that all different kinds of elements and alloys are being considered for the composition of shafts. Most of the common handles that are being manufactured currently are mostly aluminum alloys, scandium alloys and some variations of carbon fiber hybrids. The overall idea it to create a stick that is light, strong and effective enough to get the job done. For this reason, I have researched a few different materials that could serve as substitutes for common shafts.

I have found that a very effective and durable combination for a modern lacrosse attack/midfield shaft is Kevlar fiber interwoven with a carbon fiber base and coated with a basic polyurethane substance to add a slight grip and reduce the potential of splintering. Kevlar had been utilized for many different applications ranging from canoes to tie downs for boats and motorcycles to battle armor. It is hailed for its very impressive tensile-weight to strength ratio and its remarkable ability to withstand high amounts of force. Its flexibility allows an elasticity factor to be taken into account allowing for the easy integration of other synthetic fibers to become interwoven, thus improving the substance’s strength.

Carbon fiber is a very useful and very common material that is continuously being improved in our world today. Like Kevlar, carbon fiber also has a very high weight to strength ratio and can be utilized for many different high stress applications. When left in a not treated state, the fibers can be woven together and remain flexible, allowing the fabric to be molded and conform to specific shapes and designs. For instance, a new version of the modern cello has been fashioned out of carbon fiber and polyurethane causing the instrument to resonate louder than a wooden model.

In order to see the specific differences between a standard aluminum alloy handle and a new carbon fiber/ Kevlar hybrid handle, we must first understand the overall chemical composition of all materials. For instance, the Warrior Krypto Pro is composed of a high-grade C-405 aluminum alloy meaning that aluminum is the primary element used in the production of the handle but other elements or alloys have been added to make the handle stronger. Ultimately, this alloy works very well in terms of density, dexterity and resilience however, sticks still manage to break or bend through normal playing processes. Kevlar has a low weight per cubic gram and has a higher tensile strength than the normal aluminum alloy that is used in popular handles today. (See the appendix for actual weight differences and overall chemical composition of handles) Carbon fiber is similar to Kevlar in the same physical properties. In interwoven combination of the two materials would allow for an extremely light, malleable, non-brittle and durable substance that would take the game of lacrosse to the next level.

I can say as a player and as a student, that if this stick was to go into production, it would receive a huge amount of attention because it would meet every player’s standards for what they look for in a stick. I mean, who really wants to go buy a new stick after a crushing hit in a game and have to go through the pain and agony of buying another new stick? This is why a stick that is incredibly lightweight and able to withstand some good punishment would be perfect for any serious player. In conclusion, please consider this possibility for production.

Sincerely,
Cooper A. Stowers

APENDIX
Atomic Structure of Carbon Fiber                                     Atomic Structure of Kevlar                                                         

Dimensions of Typical Lacrosse Stick

Thickness= 1mm        Circumference of shaft= 8.2cm         Length of shaft= 74.3cm

Overall weight of Krypto Pro= 102.23g

Overall weight of Kevlar specific Stick= 87.73g


Below is an artifact that I have cosen as a demonstration of a concept I have learned this year. This is a lab report from athe most recent lab I have conducted and demostrated the results acordingly. Labs are a regular part of my chmemistry class providing a hands on experience that relates to the material we are studying in class.

Formula of a Hydrate Lab

Purpose: To determine the formula of a hydrate using your understanding of chemical formulas, mole ratios and molar masses

Background Information: Hydrates are inorganic salts that have water molecules bonded to them as part of the crystal structure of the compound.  In chemistry for something to be inorganic simply means that it is not a carbon based molecule and for something to be a salt it means that it is an ionicly bonded substance with a metal cation and non-metal anion.  Hydrates have a specific ratio of the number of water molecules to the number of inorganic salt molecules.  For example, cobalt (II) chloride, CoCl₂, always combines with six water molecules to make cobalt (II) chloride hexahydrate, CoCl₂·6H₂O.  Another example is calcium chloride dihydrate, CaCl₂·2H₂O.

The water molecules can usually be removed from a hydrate by heating it.  After all of the water has been removed the compound is known as anhydrous.  There is usually a color change associated with the transformation from the hydrate form to the anhydrous form.

Hypothesis: Not applicable

Materials & Equipment:

salt·nH₂O (2-3g per group)                                                                          

funnel                                                   crucible Tongs                                                watch glasses(can cover beaker) wire gauze                                                                distilled water                                                electronic balance

crucible                                                Bunsen burner                                 

Safety Issues & Other Suggestions:

-The hydrate is toxic by ingestion

-Extreme caution should be used when dealing with all of the preceding

-Let crucible cool before placing it on the balance

-Preheat crucible for about 3 minutes to remove any water the porcelain may have absorbed from the atmosphere and then let cool for about 3 minutes before adding the salt

-Heat the crucible slowing to avoid spattering and popping

-If heating with a Bunsen burner, gently wave the Burner from side to side underneath the heating vessel for a slow, even heating

Procedure:

1.       Measure out 3.05 grams of nH₂O using the 3electronic balance

2.       Transfer the salt into the crucible.

3.       Place the salt in the crucible on the wire mesh above the Bunsen burner.

4.       Using the Bunsen burner, carefully heat the salt by waving the burner in a back and forth motion until all blue coloration is lost from the substance.

5.       Remove the crucible from the burner using the crucible tongs.

6.       Let the solution cool and place the crucible on the electronic scale but make sure you tare the scale with an empty crucible first.

7.       The number found in step 6. is the mass of the anhydrous compound.

8.       Subtract the anhydrous mass from the initial mass, which gives you the mass of H₂O.

Results:

1.       The mass of the anhydrous compound was 2.01g

2.       The mass of the H₂O was 1.04g

Mass of nH2O = 1.04

Molar mass of CuSO4 =159g/mol

Molar mass of H20 = 18.0148g/mol

1.04gH2O x 1mol/18.0148g = .06mol/H2O

2.01gCuSO4 x 1mol/159g = .01molCuSO4

.06 molH20 to .o1 molCuSo4     .06/.09= 6

3.05 x .311 = .95

1.04-.95/.95 = .09 x 100= 9% error