Self Assembly Experiment - Student

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* 1. Please identify the school at which you performed the performed the Self-Assembly laboratory:

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* 2. In what grade are you currently enrolled?

8th grade or younger

9th

10th

11th

12th

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* 3. After performing this hands-on activity, please rate how well it helped you understand the following:

	Not at all	A little	Mostly	Very
A system at equilibrium is still highly active, dynamic, and constantly making perturbations at the molecular level.	A system at equilibrium is still highly active, dynamic, and constantly making perturbations at the molecular level. Not at all	A system at equilibrium is still highly active, dynamic, and constantly making perturbations at the molecular level. A little	A system at equilibrium is still highly active, dynamic, and constantly making perturbations at the molecular level. Mostly	A system at equilibrium is still highly active, dynamic, and constantly making perturbations at the molecular level. Very
A spontaneous reaction is a direct consequence of molecular level processes trying to minimize its overall energy (i.e. reaching equilibrium)	A spontaneous reaction is a direct consequence of molecular level processes trying to minimize its overall energy (i.e. reaching equilibrium) Not at all	A spontaneous reaction is a direct consequence of molecular level processes trying to minimize its overall energy (i.e. reaching equilibrium) A little	A spontaneous reaction is a direct consequence of molecular level processes trying to minimize its overall energy (i.e. reaching equilibrium) Mostly	A spontaneous reaction is a direct consequence of molecular level processes trying to minimize its overall energy (i.e. reaching equilibrium) Very
A spontaneous reaction usually leaves a system less orderly. However, a system can become more orderly (e.g. self-assemble) if it can lower its overall energy by forming a regular pattern.	A spontaneous reaction usually leaves a system less orderly. However, a system can become more orderly (e.g. self-assemble) if it can lower its overall energy by forming a regular pattern. Not at all	A spontaneous reaction usually leaves a system less orderly. However, a system can become more orderly (e.g. self-assemble) if it can lower its overall energy by forming a regular pattern. A little	A spontaneous reaction usually leaves a system less orderly. However, a system can become more orderly (e.g. self-assemble) if it can lower its overall energy by forming a regular pattern. Mostly	A spontaneous reaction usually leaves a system less orderly. However, a system can become more orderly (e.g. self-assemble) if it can lower its overall energy by forming a regular pattern. Very

Please offer your explanation to the following questions:

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* 4. How come nano objects (e.g. molecules) can spontaneously self-assemble into orderly structures, whereas big objects would not normally self-assemble, for instance, fallen leaves forming an orderly pattern on the ground?

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* 5. In the penny challenge experiment: what parameter(s) is/are we trying to minimize?

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* 6. In the floating magnets experiment, would the magnets self-assemble if they were on your table and not floating on water, yes or no? Please explain your answer.

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* 7. If you discover how to make the latest automobile through a self-assembly process, what advantage(s) do you have over other car-makers (whose cars do not self-assemble)?

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* 8. Identify any concepts that you might have better understood after performing this activity:

none

self-assembly

equilibrium

entropy

free energy

heat

Other (please specify)

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* 9. Please rate the following:

	Not at All	A Little	Some	Very Much
Did you find the science you learned in this activity interesting?	Did you find the science you learned in this activity interesting? Not at All	Did you find the science you learned in this activity interesting? A Little	Did you find the science you learned in this activity interesting? Some	Did you find the science you learned in this activity interesting? Very Much
Do you want to learn more about self-assembly or how molecules arrange into complex patterns and structures, such as crystals or viruses?	Do you want to learn more about self-assembly or how molecules arrange into complex patterns and structures, such as crystals or viruses? Not at All	Do you want to learn more about self-assembly or how molecules arrange into complex patterns and structures, such as crystals or viruses? A Little	Do you want to learn more about self-assembly or how molecules arrange into complex patterns and structures, such as crystals or viruses? Some	Do you want to learn more about self-assembly or how molecules arrange into complex patterns and structures, such as crystals or viruses? Very Much
How well can you explain how molecules self-assemble, to someone who doesn’t know (perhaps a younger sibling)?	How well can you explain how molecules self-assemble, to someone who doesn’t know (perhaps a younger sibling)? Not at All	How well can you explain how molecules self-assemble, to someone who doesn’t know (perhaps a younger sibling)? A Little	How well can you explain how molecules self-assemble, to someone who doesn’t know (perhaps a younger sibling)? Some	How well can you explain how molecules self-assemble, to someone who doesn’t know (perhaps a younger sibling)? Very Much