Course Outline, Policies, and Procedures

Chemistry

Course Outline, Policies, and Procedures

Mrs. Beery

Room 109

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What is SCIENCE?

At the most basic level, science is a process of trying to make sense of the physical universe. This process consists of three main things. The first thing that all scientists learn how to do is OBSERVE. Secondly, after making observations, scientists try to EXPLAIN their observations. Finally, scientists use their observations and explanations to PREDICT what will happen in the future.

The process of science uses many skills, including:

1. Observing, using all of your senses
2. Classifying
3. Measuring
4. Identifying shapes, motion and speed, and sequencing (space-time)
5. Communicating, using the written and spoken word, graphs, tables, diagrams
6. Inferring
7. Predicting
8. Interpreting data (finding patterns, making conclusions)
9. Identifying and controlling variables
10. Formulating hypothesis
11. Defining operationally (creating a definition by describing procedures and observations)
12. Experimenting (investigating, manipulating, and testing to determine a result)
13. Problem solving

The results of experimenting are examined for general relationships that will unify the observations. Sometimes a wide variety of observations can be summarized in a general statement or mathematical equation. We call these statements scientific laws.

In this course you will learn about matter, the physical stuff of which are universe is made. You will study about chemical and physical properties of matter and about chemical and physical changes of matter. You will study things about the different phases of matter, atoms, energy, chemical formulas, chemical reactions, the periodic table, solutions, thermochemistry, kinetics, acids and bases, equilibrium, and much more. You will also have the opportunity to conduct many laboratory experiments, which are designed to promote further understanding of the concepts discussed in the classroom.

This course has many goals, but there are three main goals to remember throughout the entire course:

1. You should learn the facts, formulas, and principles that compose the curriculum;
2. You should understand the basic concepts underlying the facts, formulas, and principles; and,
3. You should develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, not only to use in chemistry but by extension, to use in everyday life.

LABORATORY

The lab plays an important role in the teaching of science. All the information contained in the chemistry textbook has its roots in the chemistry laboratory. Many chemists have spent a lifetime collecting and interpreting data to formulate the theories that are the backbone of chemistry today. Although you cannot be expected to make new scientific discoveries, there are many other goals in including laboratory work in an introductory chemistry course. Several of these are as follows:

1. Chemistry becomes more interesting, so motivation to learn increases.
2. Understanding of chemical concepts is facilitated.
3. The lack of absolute certainty in scientific results is underscored.
4. Critical-thinking skills are exercised.
5. Psychomotor and organizational skills are exercised.

In the laboratory, you will be working with equipment and materials that can cause injury if they are not handled properly. Accidents happen because of carelessness, haste, and disregard of safety rules and practices. The laboratory can be a safe place to work, however, and accidents can be avoided if you know what risks are present and take steps to reduce them.

Because there are many students in the lab at the same time, safety must be the number one priority of everyone in the lab. Safety rules for the laboratory are attached. The rules will be in effect AT ALL TIMES. Before beginning any lab work, read the attached rules and learn them. When working in lab, follow them carefully. If you have any questions about these rules, ask me before starting lab work. The management (that would be me) reserves the right to change, add to, or delete any of the rules at any time. Failure by the student (that would be you) to follow the above rules could lead to loss of credit on a lab, up to and including loss of credit for the course.

ATTENDANCE

Please refer to your student handbook for the St. LouisHigh School attendance and tardy policies and procedures.

Daily attendance (both physical and mental) is critical to your success in chemistry. Concepts are developed and discussed in class and cannot always be understood by reading the textbook or the notes of another person. You are responsible to know all the material covered in class as well as the reading assignments. Much time is spent in the laboratory and make-up labs are very difficult to arrange. If you are absent, and it is excused, I will allow a reasonable amount of time for you to make up the missed lab. However, I will limit the time to not more than five school days after you return.

Tests that are missed on days of unexcused absences will result in forfeiture of any bonus points or curves added to the test score. Exceptions will be made in rare and unusual circumstances of extreme illness or other medical conditions.

HALL PASS USE

The hall pass use will be restricted and is to be used in extreme, rare, and unusual, emergency situations only. Be prepared when you come to class.

ASSESSMENTS

Tests are given in class at the end of each of the units we cover. Quizzes will be given during the unit. These dates are given well in advance. It is your responsibility to know these dates. If you are absent on the day of a test or quiz, it must be made up before or after school. If you know in advance that you are going to be absent on the test day, you must make arrangements with me before you are gone.

CHEATING

Cheating is the act of being dishonest or deceiving someone. It includes but is not limited to copying someone else’s homework, lab data or lab report, quiz or test, and giving answers to someone else. Students who are caught cheating will receive a zero for the assignment. A second offense will result in a zero for the course.

Occasionally group work is assigned, and labs will almost always require a partner. Group work is defined as doing your own work, but being able to check your work and ask for help from your fellow group members or lab partners. Copying answers IS NOT allowed!

CALCULATORS

Only non-programmable scientific calculators are necessary for this class, and only this type will be allowed on tests and quizzes. It is recommended that you have your own, but there are a few that are available for you to use in class.

GRADING

The grade you get on your report card is a translation of your performance in the course, and a measurement of what you have learned. It is not a reward for showing up or being a nice person, simply a measurement of your performance. The following is the grading scale that will be used:

100 - 94.0 A / 86.9 - 84.0 B / 76.9 - 74.0 C / 66.9 - 64.0 D
93.9 - 90.0 A- / 83.9 - 80.0 B- / 73.9 - 70.0 C- / 63.9 - 60.0 D-
89.9 - 87.0 B+ / 79.9 - 77.0 C+ / 69.9 - 67.0 D+ / 59.9 - 0 F

Grades are determined on a percentage of total points possible. The semester final will be approximately 15-20% of the semester grade.

TECHNOLOGY

Technology is the future; many colleges require a computer at school, and very few jobs do not require some computer knowledge. Therefore, technology will be utilized in the following ways:

1. Typed lab reports that include tables will be required throughout the year.

2. Use of the internet and MS Word will be necessary to complete assigned papers (generally 1 per semester).

3. Blackboard may be used frequently throughout the course, especially for practice tests.

Very few people can understand a subject completely the first time through the material. Understanding chemistry, or any upper level subject, takes time. To understand anything more completely you must ASK QUESTIONS. If we did nothing else but ASK QUESTIONS we would learn so much more. Do not be afraid to ASK QUESTIONS. The question you ask may be the question that helps someone else understand better. I am available for any student in need of help, but you must make the effort to learn and study the material first. Seek help when you need it, but before it is too late. Please make an appointment with me as soon as you are unsure of a topic. Good luck, study hard, and have a great year!

Mrs. Beery

CHEMISTRY CONTENT EXPECTATIONS

Standard C1:Inquiry, Reflection, and Social Implications

C1.1:Scientific Inquiry

C1.2:Scientific Reflection and Social Implications

Standard C2:Forms of Energy

P2.p1:Potential Energy (prerequisite)

C2.1x:Chemical Potential Energy

C2.2:Molecules in Motion

C2.2x:Molecular Entropy

C2.3x:Breaking Chemical Bonds

C2.4x:Electron Movement

C2.5x:Nuclear Stability

Standard C3:Energy Transfer and Conservation

P3.p1:Conservation of Energy (prerequisite)

C3.1x:Hess’s Law

P3.p2:Energy Transfer (prerequisite)

C3.2x:Enthalpy

C3.3:Heating Impacts

C3.3x:Bond Energy

C3.4:Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions

C3.4x:Enthalpy and Entropy

C3.5x:Mass Defect

Standard C4:Properties of Matter

P4.p1:Kinetic Molecular Theory

P4.p2:Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures

C4.1x:Molecular and Empirical Formulae

C4.2:Nomenclature

C4.3:Properties of Substances

C4.3x:Solids

C4.4x:Molecular Polarity

C4.5x:Ideal Gas Law

C4.6x:Moles

C4.7x:Solutions

C4.8:Atomic Structure

C4.8x:Electron Configuration

C4.9:Periodic Table

C4.9x:Electron Energy Levels

C4.10:Neutral Atoms, Ions, and Isotopes

C4.10x:Average Atomic Mass

Standard C5:Changes in Matter

P5.p1:Conservation of Matter

C5.1x:Rates of Reactions

C5.2:Chemical Changes

C5.2x:Balancing Equations

C5.3x:Equilibrium

C5.4:Phase Change/Diagrams

C5.4x:Changes of State

C5.5:Chemical Bonds – Trends

C5.5x:Chemical Bonds

C5.6x:Reduction/Oxidation Reactions

C5.7:Acids and Bases

C5.7x:Brønsted-Lowry

C5.8:Carbon Chemistry

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF TOPICS

Week Beginning / Curriculum Topic
1 / Intro to Chemistry/Scientific Measurement
2 / Intro to Chemistry/Scientific Measurement
3 / Matter and Change
4 / Matter and Change
5 / Atomic Structure
6 / Atomic Structure
7 / Electrons in Atoms
8 / Electrons in Atoms
9 / Periodicity
10 / Periodicity
11 / Chemical Names and Formulas
12 / Chemical Names and Formulas/Bonding
13 / Bonding
14 / Chemical Reactions
15 / Chemical Reactions
16 / The Mole
17 / Christmas Break
18 / The Mole
19 / Review
20 / Exams
21 / Stoichiometry
22 / Stoichiometry
23 / Thermochemistry
24 / Thermochemistry
25 / Gases
26 / Gases
27 / Liquids and Solids
28 / Liquids and Solids
29 / Solutions
30 / Solutions
31 / Spring Break
32 / Reaction Rates and Equilibrium
33 / Reaction Rates and Equilibrium
34 / Solubility and Precipitation
35 / Acids and Bases
36 / Acids and Bases
37 / Oxidation-Reduction
38 / Oxidation-Reduction
39 / Review
40 / Exams