Project Overview
For this project, our group was tasked with creating a project that dealt with water conservation or purification. Our group decided to create a 3D model for a water efficient house that could significantly change the amount of water the average American household uses on a regular basis. After completing research on how much water is used in households we began to brainstorm efficient ways to conserve water. We eventually came to the conclusion that the most efficient way to save water would be to re purpose and distribute grey water to certain places around the house, and to collect and implement rainwater into our home life.This was achieved by taking water from sinks, showers, washing machines and, laundry machines and then filtering it and redistributing it back to the toilets and the garden to water plants. To make sure the grey water was safe for revamping, we had to test the Ph level of the grey water to make sure it was safe for our purposes. We encountered an all organic soap called Dr. Bronner's that is able to be used in every application needed in the average home. After acquiring some of this soap, we ran Ph tests of the soapy water vs. uncontaminated water. After running our tests, we concluded that the Ph levels of the grey water were indeed safe to re purpose.
Our Presentation
Content
Solute: A molecule that dissolves in a solvent to create a solution. Numerous contaminants, such as salt, are often found in water and must be taken out of water to drink.
Solvent: A liquid which solutes dissolve in. Water is referred to as the "universal solvent" since most solutes dissolve in the liquid due to the same of its molecule and its polarity.
Polarity: polar molecules contain polar bonds due to the electron negativity in the molecule. The molecule has a positive and negatively charged end. The polarity of water causes it be to the universal solvent.
Solubility: the ability to be dissolved. Polar molecules can be dissolved in water due to the molecules' charges' attraction , often creating hydrogen bonds between hydrogen and oxygen ions.
pH: a measurement of the amount of hydrogen and hydroxide ions in a solution. Acidic solutions have more hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions, while basic solutions have less. The pH scale is from 1 to 14. The smaller a number, the more acidic. Pure water is theoretically a pH of 7, or at a neutral state. When testing water quality, pH must be considered, because drinkable water must be between a pH of 6 to 8.5.
Particle separation: molecules of a particular substance separate its bond from a solvent. Cacti do this naturally through its use of mucilage to separate water molecules from those of impurities.
Electrolytes: An ion-containing liquid or gel that may be decomposed by electrolysis, e.g. present in a battery.
Non-electrolytes: a substance that does not exist in an ionic form in aqueous solution.
Organic matter: Matter that came from a living organism recently.
Virus: An infectious agent that typically consists of a nucleic acid molecule in a protein coat is too small to be seen by light
microscopy and can multiply an infectious agent that typically consists of a nucleic acid molecule in a protein coat only within thehost's living cells, is too small to be seen by light microscopy and can only multiply within the host's living cells.
Bacteria: A member of a large group of unicellular microorganisms with cell walls but lacking in organelles and an organized
nucleus, some of which may cause illness.
Solvent: A liquid which solutes dissolve in. Water is referred to as the "universal solvent" since most solutes dissolve in the liquid due to the same of its molecule and its polarity.
Polarity: polar molecules contain polar bonds due to the electron negativity in the molecule. The molecule has a positive and negatively charged end. The polarity of water causes it be to the universal solvent.
Solubility: the ability to be dissolved. Polar molecules can be dissolved in water due to the molecules' charges' attraction , often creating hydrogen bonds between hydrogen and oxygen ions.
pH: a measurement of the amount of hydrogen and hydroxide ions in a solution. Acidic solutions have more hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions, while basic solutions have less. The pH scale is from 1 to 14. The smaller a number, the more acidic. Pure water is theoretically a pH of 7, or at a neutral state. When testing water quality, pH must be considered, because drinkable water must be between a pH of 6 to 8.5.
Particle separation: molecules of a particular substance separate its bond from a solvent. Cacti do this naturally through its use of mucilage to separate water molecules from those of impurities.
Electrolytes: An ion-containing liquid or gel that may be decomposed by electrolysis, e.g. present in a battery.
Non-electrolytes: a substance that does not exist in an ionic form in aqueous solution.
Organic matter: Matter that came from a living organism recently.
Virus: An infectious agent that typically consists of a nucleic acid molecule in a protein coat is too small to be seen by light
microscopy and can multiply an infectious agent that typically consists of a nucleic acid molecule in a protein coat only within thehost's living cells, is too small to be seen by light microscopy and can only multiply within the host's living cells.
Bacteria: A member of a large group of unicellular microorganisms with cell walls but lacking in organelles and an organized
nucleus, some of which may cause illness.
Our Model
Project Reflection
Working on this project was one of the best experiences for me for a number of reasons. During this project, our group decided to take a different route than most groups. Instead of creating a water filtration devices like others, we decided to make a well developed model and presentation of how we can turn our homes into more efficient areas. This idea was great because it really gave us as a group the creative freedom we needed to make our project the best it could be. My group's chemistry was off the charts. We worked very well together and had a really great time during the entire process. We all learned a lot about water filtration and the amount of water that gets wasted all across America. One of our peaks was definitely our group. Each team member worked very well with one another since we were all friends. This made the work much easier since we knew each person's strengths and weaknesses. This helped identify where we needed to pick up the slack and where we knew we were good. Another peak we encountered throughout our project was once we successfully tested the Ph level of our specific soap, Dr. Bronner's. We used Dr. Bronner's soap because it is 100% biodegradable and it has a vegetable base that allows products to decompose naturally without disturbing the environment. The Ph level of this soap is neutral, making grey water that has come in contact with this soap safe for redistribution. A pit we ran into was choosing what exactly we wanted our project to be at the beginning of this project. Although our group worked really well together, getting our project up and running was a little difficult. However this did set us back a little, we picked up the pace and made it work. this project came to an end with my last pit. Of the six C's, I really think my collaboration, communication, and being a conscientious learner really shined in this project. Learning about levels of Ph in houses and how this effects the water and sewage was really interesting to learn about, including how much water gets wasted. This project coming to an end was disappointing because we all had a great time throughout the process of this project. This project was incredibly fun and educational, and I'm glad to have had a great group to do it with.