I will be discussing the chemistry of this article in class on Monday. You might find it interesting…
Physical Science 107: Please check the schedule after each class
The schedule of the course: http://justonly.com/physci/ps107/schedule.php is being filled out as we go along so it is always changing as new information is added. Because I’m teaching this course for the first time I am learning how long each lesson takes. I’ve put up the date of the first unit test. The test will cover lessons 1,2,3 and4. Here are some tips to be ready:
1. Be sure you can answer the questions in each unit. If you don’t understand something ask about it in class!
2. Read at least two newspaper stories, more if you can, and write summaries in your journal. The goal of this class is to improve your understanding of CURRENT PUBLIC issues in Physical Science – and so I want to help you understand these news articles better.
3. Develop your glossary. Nobody knows all the words in the English language – but we are always learning new words. As you are reading pick out some words whose meanings you don’t know well – and look them up in a dictionary (book or online). Write the definitions in the glossary section of your journal.
4. On your own – follow the background links – as many as you can. Look around at these websites. Watch any videos that are posted. All this exposure to information will help you develop good questions to ask in class!
5. COME to class. Missing class is the worst thing you can do in this course. If you are there and you are participating you will do well. Be there or be square:-)
See you next class!
Chemistry 201: Prep for Quiz One
Here is a check list to help you prepare for the first quiz on Monday:
1. Be able to state the difference between a hypothesis and a theory and a law.
2. Be able to determine if a change is a physical change or a chemical change (hint: chemical changes involve the making and/or breaking of chemical bonds).
3. Know the following metric prefices: Giga, Mega, Kilo, milli, micro, nano, pico (and you should also know centi- for centimeters).
4. Be able to do density problems. There is a drill sheet on density in the review section of the handouts.
5. Review the rules about significant figures but I will not be taking points off for errors with sig. figs. in this first quiz.
6. Be able to describe electrons, protons and neutrons (charge, location, relative mass) and also be able to describe the three main types of radioactive decay products (alpha particles, beta particles and gamma rays)
7. Review isotopic notation. Pay special attention to the equation 2.2 on page 45 and Example 2-3.
8. Be able to convert grams to moles and moles to grams.
9. Be able to determine how many particles are present given the mass of a compound.
10. Be able to calculate percent by mass of an element in a compound e.g. what percentage by mass is oxygen in water.
Physical Science 107: Lesson One
Students in this course have amazing energy. You are asking great questions! You are all coming to class and participating with wonderful enthusiam. This makes teaching lots of fun! Thank you.
This week we finished lesson one. On Monday and Tuesday both sections will begin lesson two: Ground Level Air Pollution. Follow this checklist to ensure that you are ready for lesson two.
1. Visit lesson one on the website. I’ve added some more information. I put up the powerpoint with large slides (student request). Go through each slide on the powerpoint to make sure you understand the main ideas that are presented in the diagrams. We did not cover the last four slides.
2. Read the Take Away (Main) Points I’ve added at the bottom of the page. This will help you organize all the information in lesson one.
3. Go over the questions and answer them in your journal.
This completes lesson one. The last four slides at the end of the powerpoint were not covered. One was about wind. One was about world climate. Do not be concerned with these slides at this time - we will discuss them in other lessons.
1. Visit lesson two on the website.
2. Read the posted NEWS articles.
3. Write down any questions you have about these articles.
4. Visit some of the background links and take a look at them. We will discuss this material in class.
Happy Learning!!
P.S. Remember, you can send me email anytime (jwalker@ccc.edu). I will answer it.
Phy Sci 107: How to Prepare for Class
In order to gain the most from the lectures it is so important to come to class prepared. I am still hearing from students that they cannot find information on the website. So here are some quick links:
Our course website:
http://justonly.com/physci/ps107/index.php
Lesson One: Earth’s Atmosphere
http://justonly.com/physci/ps107/lessons/atmosphere.php
What should you do to prepare for class?
Read the Lecture notes.
Look over the powerpoint slides.
Read the questions and think about them.
Read the news articles or other media.
Visit the background websites – see what they are about.
Learn everything you can about Earth’s Atmosphere.
What do we know so far??
Both classes have learned that the atmosphere is composed of two main ingredients – two gases – Nitrogen (78%) and Oxygen(21%) and that Oxygen is the reactive gas and Nitrogen is non-reactive.
Monday’s class has begun to learn about the layers of the atmosphere.
Chemistry 201: Rusty Squirrels
Here is a photo taken in Duluth, MN. This is an area full of iron ores – so much so that the land is the color of rust.
You can see evidence of iron by the color of the river and rocks.
Here are the rusty squirrels I mentioned in class. The squirrels have figured out how to blend in with their lovely coats that are a perfect match for iron oxide.
Rusty Squirrels Blend in with Iron Rich Terraine
Taconite is the most common ore in this area.
Chemistry 201: A new semester begins…
Because of the holiday Chemistry 201 met only once and spent a fair amount of that first class taking a test. Why? Because in order to be successful in Chemistry 201 it is critical to have a good foundation in Basic Chemistry – names of the elements, basic structure of matter, simple chemical equations, nomenclature of inorganic compounds, the metric system and it is also critical to have a good foundation is basic algebra – rearrange equations of solve for an unknown, carry out conversions, use proportional reasoning. Any student who is not very comfortable with these skills should immediately seek out support and hit the books! (and the Internet – there are so many useful videos, worksheets, explanations)
On Monday we will have our first lab so be sure to download and print it! We’ll be analyzing an unknown white powder – one of several common household white powders: sugar, baking soda, etc.
Having a laboratory notebook is very, very important! Please bring it to every class.
Gardening: January Sights
This morning I noticed my lavender and thyme are still growing. This is pretty amazing for January. I also enjoyed seeing some beautiful ice crystals on the greenhouse.
Lavender and Thyme in January
Crystals are so interesting with a display of tremendous order and yet each crystal formation is unique.
Ice Crystals
CSI:Truman – Course in Instrumental Analysis
Introduction to Instrumental Analysis offered at Truman College
65576 Chemistry 217 LM 8:30 – 2:30 PM Friday (Prof. Abrams) 4 credits
Prerequisite: one semester of Organic Chemistry
Going into Pharmacy? Nutrition? Physical Therapy? practical experience with instrumentation is a great addition for your resume. This course is also part of an A.A.S. degree in Chemical Technology.
Learn to use state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation in a brand new lab/studio. Create a portfolio of real-world laboratory reports suitable for job interviews. Use IR, GC-MS, 2D-NMR. Email Professor Charlie Abrams, cabrams@ccc.edu, for more information.
New Semester Begins in 26 days…
It seems a long way off but now is the time to being to prepare for your new classes. Early preparation can consist of light review, reading and media viewing that is more fun than work, browsing around the Internet following your interests. The idea is to keep your mind active and develop your curiosity. Once the semester begins you will not be able to control the pace of the learning you are expected to achieve – but you can now!
Chemistry Grades Submitted
All grades for both Chemistry 201 and Chemistry 203 are posted in Blackboard and have been submitted in PeopleSoft. I will be on campus on Wednesday afternoon if you wish to pick up your lab books. Otherwise I’ll hold on to them until June. Please stop by and collect them. Have a wonderful holiday.
Chemistry 201 and 203: Grading Update
Dear Students,
It is Friday late afternoon and I am still grading lab reports and lab notebooks. It takes time and I ask for your patience. I will keep you posted and let you know when the grades are posted to Blackboard. This will not happen before Monday.
Chemistry: Summer Internship at Northwestern
Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates at Northwestern University
The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at Northwestern University offers a 9-week, paid summer research experience for undergraduates. The students are paired up with some of the leading research professors in science and engineering fields. Research areas include ceramics, nanocomposites, photonics, nanoparticles, and molecular electronics. While there are many REU programs, the NU-MRSEC stands out in offering students an interdisciplinary research experience. Students currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in science or engineering who are US citizens or permanent residents are eligible. The program dates this year are June 18 to August 17, 2012; Applications are due Feb. 15, 2012. Participants are paid a $4500 stipend and a travel allowance and on-campus housing is provided. For more information,
please visit our website:
http://www.mrsec.northwestern.edu/content/educational_programs/reu.htm
If you have any questions, please contact our program assistant, Nic Tat
at mrc-reu@northwestern.edu, 847-491-3606.
Chem 201: Molarity/Molality Conversions
Here is a link to some very good practice problems with answers on the topic of solution concentrations:
http://www.chemteam.info/Solutions/Molality-from-density-and-percent.html
Also I’ve created two handouts which summarize the steps in these conversions:
1. Conversion from molarity to molality
2. Conversion from molality to molarity
Thanksgiving
I’m thankful for family and friends and a lovely meal. I’m thankful for an email from a cousin I haven’t heard from in a very long time. I’m thankful for the beauty that is in front of my home. Every time I look out my window and see the fall colors of these shrubs I feel such excitement and pleasure.
Beautiful Fall Colors
All summer long these bushes are modest and not very noticible. But during the Fall as they lose their chlorophyll you see the stunning reds, oranges and yellows of the organic dyes.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Chem 121: Review for Exit Exam
Professor J. Walker will hold two review sessions for the Chemistry 121 exit exam. These sessions will be held in room 3175 on Monday November 28th. The first one will be from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. All students in any Chem 121 section are invited to attend. The second one will be from 5 to 6 pm. Please direct any questions to jwalker@ccc.edu
Early influences: scientific jargon in comics
Recently I was asked how I became interested in science. One of the earliest influences was through Superman comics. Ironically these very unscientific tabloids often used the vocabulary of science – so when I was exposed to terminology in science class it was familiar. This gave me confidence to learn more about real science.
calm in a crisis
other dimensions and mineral power
Chem 201 and 203: Pre-exam office hours
Since both classes have exams this week I’ll be available for questions and problem solving practice as follows:
9:00 – 11:00 Monday – focus on Chem 201
11:00 – 12:30 Monday – focus on Chem 203
5:00 – 6:00 Monday – focus on Chem 203
Chem 203: Radioactive Levels in Japan – Please Read
Vic found a story that is very timely to our current discussion. Please read it on the Chicago Tribune website:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-fg-fukushima-radiation-20111120,0,4008193.story
or you can access a pdf file I created…