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!
Hi Mrs. Engel! I'm looking over sigfigs for the unit one test, but I was wondering if there was any extra practice I could do so I can be sure that I get sigfigs down correctly. Do you have any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Caleigh
Hi Caleigh,
ReplyDeleteThe best practice is at the end of the chapter. I'm in Ohio tonight so I can't get a page number for you. I'll post one tomorrow night. We will also practice for an hour in class on Tuesday with sig figs and dimensional analysis prior to the aluminum foil lab. If you have any specific questions, please post and I will try to answer. See you on Tuesday,
Mrs. E