Test Day!!

We have completed our second unit test in honors chemistry.  Today unit 2 portfolio and vegium lab was due.  This means I will be a very busy chemistry teacher for the next few days grading all of the assignments.  Students received their unit 3 portfolio and the next lab today.  On Friday, we begin our nuclear chemistry unit.  Pre-lab questions for " Characteristics of nuclear radiation" will be due on Friday.  We have also begun our first formal lab report.  A rough draft of an introduction and hypothesis will also be due on Friday for peer editing.  I'm including a website to use for a sample introduction on the blog- http://www.writing.engr.psu.edu/workbooks/labreport2.html#introduction
If you are struggling with what to write, please check out this site.   It is important to remember the following when writing an introduction:  why is this experiment being done, what is already known about the experiment, and what is the specific purpose of this experiment.  Finally, you will also need to write two separate hypothesis for the lab.  This must be in the if....then... format.
Looking forward to Friday,
Mrs. E

Vegium - Calculating Average Atomic Mass

Today we finished the chapter on the atom.  We reviewed the different models of the atom.  (Don't forget you need to be able to compare and contrast these models for the test on Wednesday).  We also learned to calculate the average atomic mass of an isotope.  This was the last skill of the unit.  The lab on candium found on page 120 in your textbook was completed and all calculations and all analysis questions should be completed for next class.  Don't forget to wrap up your listening skill portfolio for this unit.  My best advice for preparation for the test on Wednesday is to begin to study tonight rather than tomorrow.  Cramming information into your brain will not work.  Remember you need to apply the information for a test.  Make sure you review the labs - what was the purpose of the labs, what skills did we learn through our labs.  Draw as many diagrams of the concepts as you can.  Pictures help you to remember the concepts learned in class.  Study with someone.  Have them test you on the information.  Review the key concepts from your notes.  What have I emphasized the most?  Think of examples for each concept!!!
Email or post questions to the blog.  Good luck studying!!

This weekend I will participate in the community crop walk.  I walk because they have to.  Image of well in TZ

Atomos - The beginning

We traveled through time today in honors chemistry to learn about the early models of the atom and how indirect observation led to a deeper understanding of the structure of the atom.  Students probed play-doh models, read through literature on the various scientists, used indirect observation skills, and watched a great music video about Dalton, Thompson, Rutherford, and Bohr.  We have one last skill to learn in this chapter which we will do on Monday.  The test is scheduled for Wednesday.  Practice writing out answers to the unit objectives!  If the unit objective is to compare and contrast a concept, then try doing it.  Once you have your answer, read through the chapter and your notes to see if you need to add or delete to the answer.  This is a great way to prepare for a test.  You won't know what you know until you begin to write it down.  Although Monday is an activity day, we are using dried lentils, plastic beakers, and balances.  You won't need close-toe shoes.  Bring your books as the lab is at the end of the chapter.  Begin to re-read through chapters 2 and 4 in anticipation of the test.  Make a chart of what you know versus what you need help with.  Good luck to all our athletes this weekend!
Mrs. E

The wonder of chemistry

I know that I sound redundant when I add to the blog, "It was a great day in lab today!"  But it was a great day - one of my favorites so far.  We began the day with a t-chart for classifying properties as either physical or chemical as our bell ringer.  Once we finished reviewing, we took a quiz on sections 2.1 - 2.3.  Following the quiz, we reviewed chemical changes and the indicators of a chemical reaction.  One of our goals for today's class was to apply the indicators of a chemical change in the lab setting.  As you can see from the picture, we definitely saw color changes, precipitates, and even some gas bubbles forming. I truly appreciate the cooperative atmosphere during lab times with everyone.  A second goal for today was to learn how to apply the Law of Conservation of Mass to a chemical reaction.  Remember to treat the arrow as if it was an equal sign, the mass of the reactants must equal the mass of the products. What goes in must come out - it can be rearranged but it still must be there.  Tonight for homework - please complete lab questions #'s 1, 4-8, 10, 12, and 13.  Also please read sections 4.1 and 4.2 and outline the reading.  finally don't forget to do the visualization exercise.  Progress reports will be uploaded on Friday.  Unit 2 test will be September 28th.  We will complete chapter 4 - Thursday and Monday of next week.  We will have lab activities with non-hazzardous materials both Thursday and Monday.  Enjoy the beautiful weather - I think a cold front might be moving into our area.
Mrs. E

Mixtures and Physical Properties

Whew - an early release day makes for a compact day in the laboratory.  Thanks to all the students today for keeping their focus during an alternate schedule and completing the lab safely and completely.  We began today with a bell ringer to review physical and chemical properties and heterogeneous and homogeneous mixtures using Venn diagrams to help us compare and contrast these concepts.  We tossed around many different ideas today but I think by the end of the review, all of us could compare and contrast these topics. Our goal for lab today was to collect data on the physical properties of four different substances.  The data we collected will be used to determine a procedure for separating an unknown mixture of these pure substances during class on Friday.  I love this lab!  First, it allows us to practice lab skills such as measuring and filtration.  It also reinforces the concept of physical properties as we look at magnetism, solubility, and melting point. ( I also enjoyed how everyone loved the iron filings and the magnet.)  Finally, this lab allows us to devise our own procedure to apply these concepts.  I'm really excited to see the flow charts next class.  Don't forget, we are in lab for part of the class on Friday so close-toe shoes again.  Can't wait for Friday!
Mrs. E

Chromatography lab and classification of mixtures

Example from the chromatography lab

Today in honors chemistry we began our second unit.  We began by trying to describe images to each other by using intensive and extensive physical properties.  Please don't forget that an extensive property depends on the quantity of matter. ( remember the riddle - what is heavier a pound of lead or a pound of feathers)   An intensive property is dependent on the matter like boiling point, melting point, and density.  We also learned to distinguish between chemical properties and physical properties.  We reviewed indicators of a chemical change by watching a chemical demonstration that involved sodium safely reacting with water.  2 indicators were present - bubbles of gas and a color change ( I cheated by adding an indicator so we could see the water turn pink as the base formed.)  Don't forget that indicators tell us that a chemical reaction might have happened but the only way to know for sure is if we check the composition of the materials before and after the reaction.  We began to classify matter based on its composition.  Most of our discussion centered on the different types of mixtures.  Finally we completed our chromatography lab.  This is always fun to see the different pigments of color separate due to their polarity.  HW for tonight will be to answer the lab questions 1-4 and to complete the pre-lab question for our next lab.  On Wednesday and Friday, we will be in lab with glass!!! Make sure you are wearing close toe shoes and long pants.  Please read and outline section 2.3
Until next time,
Mrs. E

TEST DAY!!

The day finally arrived when we take our first unit test.  Unit one portfolios were also due today.  I absolutely loved reading the students' analysis of the work that they did in unit one.  We had consensus that  time management is the most critical aspect of taking the ACT.  We also almost had consensus that the most difficult assignment in unit one was the Malawi conversions.  It was gratifying to read the students' responses to the water purification issues.  Emotions ranged from shock to anger to sadness to determination.  Several students want to make a lasting impression on the world after reading about the conditions in developing countries.  :)
Next week we begin our second unit.  We will have a fun activity to do on Monday involving water, filter paper, markers, and plastic cups so we won't need our close-toe shoes.  Beginning on Wednesday, we are back to using hot plates and glassware so close-toe shoes and long pants are a must!
Don't forget to outline sections 2.1 and 2.2 for Monday's class.

Preparing for the first unit test - September 6, 2011

Practice makes perfect is a good adage to live by.  We implemented this adage in honors chemistry today by practicing our unit conversions and calculations of measurements using the rules of significant figures.  Hopefully this practice helps in preparing for the first unit test.  I think everyone had fun with the paper toss activity today.  I know I enjoyed the smiles on the faces as the paper was flying around the room to Green Day's "Time of Your Life".  The best part of the activity is when we read each other's questions and answered them.  Don't forget the study hints given in class today: study with a buddy, study often for smaller segments of time, cramming does not work, write out answers to the stated objectives, come after school for any needed help, post questions to the blog ( I do answer them). Unit 1 test is Thursday and the unit 1 portfolio is also due.  Preparation is the key to success! Let's prepare for this chapter test.
Until next time,
Mrs. E

The arrival of Sig Figs - September 1, 2011

The dreaded moment has arrived in the chemistry classroom.  It is when numbers are attached to a unit and become a MEASUREMENT.  With the arrival of measurements, we begin to discuss precision and accuracy.  Next we are asked to calculate with the measurements.  Once we calculate, we must apply the rules of significant figures to our calculations.  This is one of the most essential skills that we will learn this year.  Sig Figs will not go away when we finish this unit.  As chemists, we will take measurements throughout the year.  We will calculate with these measurements and we will need to round to the proper number of significant figures each and every time.  Today in class, we did a quick lab to practice our measuring skills and to practice rounding calculated answers to the correct number of significant figures.  We were also introduced to a problem solving method called dimensional analysis.  This is just a fancy way to convert between units in a problem.  For homework, we need to complete the post-lab questions for the measurement lab ( #1 - 7 and 11) and practice our conversion skills by completing the Malawi packet.  Next week - we complete the unit on Tuesday and the first unit test is on Thursday.
Have a great weekend everyone - GO INDIANS!