Performance Task 2023

PROBLEM: Read the paragraph below.

Is mass conserved in space? The conservation of matter tells us that the number of atoms does not change after a chemical reaction happens.

Astronauts living aboard the International Space Station (ISS) must make their own oxygen for breathing, and they need to have enough supply for 6 months. 

One method for making oxygen is to split oxygen from hydrogen in H₂O (water). Two scientists  have different claims about the amount of water needed to supply oxygen for 6 months. Scientist A claims that that the astronauts  will need 170,300 grams of water to make enough oxygen for 6 months. Scientist B  claims that they only need 127,500 grams of water. Which scientist is correct? 

What does the law of conservation of mass tell us? __________

How can we make oxygen for breathing in space? __________

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Read the paragraph below.

There are a lot of things that make living in space difficult for humans. But the most important one is something you cannot even see -- something you rarely even think about: breathing. A sufficient supply of fresh, breathable air is necessary for humans to live! For NASA, this is especially important since sending oxygen into space is expensive and difficult. The average human uses 0.84 kilograms of oxygen per day. Most NASA missions last 6 months, or around 180 days, so this means that NASA needs to provide 151.2 kg or 151,200 grams of Oxygen per person for a 6 month mission. 

What is the most important thing for humans to live in space? _______

How many GRAMS of oxygen does a person need to live in space for a 6 month mission? ______

BACKGROUND INFORMATION CONTINUED: Read the paragraph below

The way that NASA can provide Oxygen is by splitting the hydrogen and oxygen atoms in H₂O (water). 

This involves passing an electric current through the water to separate the atoms and rearrange them as hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. Splitting water can make Oxygen for the astronauts to breathe in Space!

How can we make oxygen to breathe in space? ________

Below is the chemical equation for for the process of splitting water.

Balance the equation. THEN WRITE DOWN YOUR BALANCED EQUATION ON A PIECE OF PAPER. YOU WILL NEED IT FOR THE NEXT QUESTION

______H₂O →______H₂ + ______O₂ 

You will now calculate how much water is needed to make enough oxygen for a 6-month mission in space.

An average person needs 151,200 g of O₂ to breathe in space for 6 months. Convert 151,200 g of O₂ moles of O₂

TYPE YOUR WORK AND ANSWER BELOW FOR FULL CREDIT. THEN WRITE YOUR ANSWER ON A PIECE OF PAPER, YOU WILL NEED IT FOR THE NEXT QUESTION.

The correct balanced equation for the chemical reaction of splitting water to make oxygen is 2 H₂O --> 2H₂ + O₂

You will now convert from moles of O₂ (your answer from the last question) to moles of H₂O. Use the following equation. Note: the moles of H₂O and O₂ are the coefficients from the balanced equation

TYPE YOUR WORK AND ANSWER BELOW FOR FULL CREDIT. THEN WRITE YOUR ANSWER ON A PIECE OF PAPER, YOU WILL NEED IT FOR THE NEXT QUESTION.

(your answer from the last question) mol O₂ x 2 mol H₂O = _____ mol H₂O

1 mol O₂

You will now use your answer from the last question to convert from moles of H₂O to grams of H₂O.

HINT: FIND THE MOLAR MASS OF H₂O

TYPE YOUR WORK AND ANSWER BELOW FOR FULL CREDIT. THEN WRITE YOUR ANSWER ON A PIECE OF PAPER, YOU WILL NEED IT FOR THE NEXT QUESTION.

Write a CLAIM for the following question:

Compare your calculation for both scientists. Remember, Scientist A says we need 170,300g of water to make enough oxygen for 6 months and Scientist B says we need 127,500 grams of water. Which scientist is correct?

What is your EVIDENCE that the scientist was correct? (talk about your calculations)

What is your REASONING for how your evidence connects to your claim?