This is how I solved the driving question for the Chemistry Coding Scimatics project. The driving question for this project is: how can the behaviour of matter can be explained by the kinetic molecular theory and atomic theory.
I will write the answer to this at the bottom of my post. For this project we had to make a game or simulation in scratch that showed the kinetic molecular theory and the atomic theory.
Here is a picture of all the code that went in my simulation:
Here is a picture of all the code in my game:
This is my review and process of creating my game and simulation
I think that if I were to do it again then I would put more work into the game, as the game was slightly bugged.
I think that the simulation is pretty cool, and I am proud of the final result.
I also like the game, but I am more proud of the simulation
The Curricular Competencies for this project are:
Questioning and predicting: Demonstrate a sustained curiosity about a scientific topic or problem of personal interest.
This means that all class time is used efficiently for learning without distractions.
I think I did ok with this part of the Curricular Competencies, as I was using most of my class time on the scratch project, but on arcade day I also played some video games that were not on scratch on my iPad.
2) Scientific communication: communicate ideas, findings, and solutions to problems using scientific language, representations, and digital technologies.
This means that several different atoms/ molecules, different states of matter, and particle motion are represented in the finished product. A historical model of the atom is chosen and implemented.
I think I did well on this part of the Curricular Competencies, as I had two atom models and two models of molecules in my simulation. I also had gravity, a liquid state indicator, a solid state indicator, and gas state indicator in my game. The particles in my game bounced off of each other, and would slowly drift toward each other in the simulation. I had a nuclear and a cloud model for my atoms. For the nuclear model, which was a Neon atom, the electrons would rotate around the nucleus, and the speed of the rotating electrons would change depending on the temperature of the container. If you had enough patience to bring the temperature to 300 while using the Neon atom, then the molecules would get ripped away from the atom, and a indicator stating that you have entered the plasma state would show.
3) Reasoning and analyzing: Use logic and patterns (including coding) to solve puzzles and play games.
This means that an interactive Scratch coded matter simulator or game is created with logical conditions and functional user controls.
I think I did well for this part of the Curricular Competencies, as I made it so that you could change the temperature of the container using the left and right arrow keys, you could change the model of atom or molecule using the up arrow key, you could toggle the gravity using the space bar, you could create more particles using the 1 key, and you could break the container if there were too many particles or if you increased the temperature enough
The steps that I took to make this game were:
Milestone 1: For this milestone we made a mind map in MindNode about matter and the kinetic molecular theory and I will show the picture here:
Milestone 2: For this milestone we drew our atomic models for the simulation in Sketches Pro, and I will show them here:
Milestone 3: For this milestone we did a test
on the atomic theory.
Milestone 4: For this milestone we made a list of
features that our simulator will have
Milestone 5: For this milestone we made the actual game and simulation.
(Links here ⬇️)
Simulation Game
Milestone 6: For this milestone we made the blog post which I am doing right now.
As the answer to the driving question, the behaviour of matter can be shown through a simulation.
I learned a lot about atoms in this project, like how it is impossible to predict where electrons will be in a given moment.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, and have a great day.