Essay Prompt: The Adventures of Atom: A Chemical Reaction Tale

Imagine you are a single atom, a tiny but essential part of the universe. Your journey begins as a lonely atom within a larger molecule, a reactant waiting to undergo a transformation. Write a story from your perspective as you participate in a chemical reaction. Begin by setting the scene. Where on Earth are you? Are you part of a substance inside a leaf, participating in photosynthesis? Or perhaps you are in a laboratory flask about to be mixed with another chemical? Describe your surroundings and the scenario that leads up to the reaction. As the story unfolds, explain how you, as an atom, interact with other atoms to form a molecule, and detail your experiences as you enter into a reaction. Use the key vocabulary to guide your narrative: (atom, molecule, reactant, reaction, yields, products, substance, properties, particle arrangement) 

How do you as an atom become part of a reactant molecule? What triggers the reaction, and what role do you play in it? Describe the process that yields new products. How does the particle arrangement change during the reaction? As you reach the climax of your story, focus on the transformation from reactants to products. Compare the properties of the substance you were part of before the reaction to the properties of the new substance you are part of after the reaction. What distinct properties did the reactant substance have? How are these properties different from those of the product substance? Conclude your story by reflecting on the journey you've undergone. How has your identity changed? What new adventures might await you as part of this new substance? Remember, the goal is to illustrate to the audience that through the chemical reaction, a new substance with distinctly different properties from the reactant substance has been created. Your story should be creative, informative, and scientifically accurate. Good luck on your atomic adventure!