Catching up

Dear Honors chemistry students,
I've been so busy with the twitter that I can't keep the blog going.  This past week in honors we learned about combination, decomposition, and single replacement reactions.  I did the famous elephant toothpaste reaction by decomposing 30% hydrogen peroxide with the help of a catalyst.  We also completed an inquiry lab to determine a partial activity series of metals.  Besides a scrimmage, we ended the week with a quiz.  We will have a second quiz on Tuesday on combination/decomposition reactions.  Be able to predict products.

Test Today!!!

Don't forget that today is the unit test.  Portfolios are due on Thursday.  Please bring textbooks to class on Thursday.  Good luck everyone!

Finished the unit today

Today we finished our conceptual journey through molar quantities.  We practiced and reviewed percent composition and determining an empirical formula.  We also learned how to use empirical formulas and molecular mass to determine a molecular formula.  Finally, we used our conceptual knowledge in the lab by determining the percent by mass of water in three different hydrated salts.  Don't forget that we have our unit test on Tuesday.
Study and Be prepared!

Almost at the end of the chapter

Today was the first assessment for unit 6.  I'm very happy overall with the results.  My suggestion would be to brush up on the polyatomic ions and their charges so you can balance formulas.  Also sig figs always need to be followed when you are calculating in chemistry.  We also learned how to determine an empirical formula from mass percent data. One more day to this unit.  Friday is also a lab day with bunsen burners.  HW from today was a handout with empirical formula determination and #63-65 from the end of chapter 10.  Finally, my 4A class has requested that I create a twitter account for my honors students as this is the social media that they follow more than the blog.  Seriously - Mrs. Engel tweeting about chemistry.  Well if that what it takes to remind students about HONClBrIF, I'll venture into  the twitter world.

Mole Quiz tomorrow

Don't forget that tomorrow is a quiz on molar quantities. Be able to solve all types of mole island problems.  Don't forget HONClBrIF.  Read and outline section 10.3.
See you tomorrow,
Mrs. E

Wednesday and Friday - January 11/13

We have been converting with the mole all this week.  Students should now be able to do conversions using dimensional analysis from all the different areas on the mole map.  Remember you can't swim with the molar sharks, you must go through Mole Island to reach any of the other islands.  This sounds like a commercial for a new reality TV show.  Instead of Survivor or Fantasy Island, we will have Mrs. Engel's Mole Island.  Don't forget about sig figs and formulas while on Mole Island!  We also used a new tool today to rate our understanding of concepts.  Students should know exactly what they need to study for the quiz on Wednesday.  Remember, you truly are ready for a quiz or a test when you can put a + sign by each skill or new vocabulary word.  Don't forget that I am available after school on Tuesday if you want to review before the quiz on Wednesday.  We also were in lab today.  This is an informal lab.  Please make sure you follow sig figs and have units for your measurements and calculations.  For this lab, you will also need to do questions 5 and 6.  HW: Read and outline 10.3
Enjoy your three day weekend!
Mrs. E

Mole is the word!

Good morning Honors Chem students:
Hmm - Yesterday became one of those Mondays when what was planned only happened in 2A.  Unfortunately a medical crisis with my Mom caused me to leave abruptly during my 3A class so I did not finish the discussion regarding the mole.  4A - My sincere apologies that you walked into a room with a packet and a homework assignment.  Unfortunately emergencies do happen.  Due to this, we need to add a day to our unit.  The test will now be January 24th and the portfolio will be due January 26th.  Tomorrow we will review/discuss molar quantities and practice problems.  The lab will be pushed back to Friday.  We will have quad scrimmages tomorrow and molar races for practice.   Bring calculators and periodic tables!!
Looking forward to seeing all of you tomorrow!
Mrs. E