Today is 6 July 2009 -- We started our study of chemistry

We:

1.  Prepared a self-study questionnaire and guide.  This guide reflects how you have been studying.  It is what we call a "reflection."  That means we thought about the question and wrote down the way it is for us now.  You were asked to keep the guide.  In a few weeks, we will revisit it and see if your study methods have changed (improved?) based on understanding how you can best study.

2.  Made "notebooks."  The notebooks are for use until we make more permanent ones.  They involved folding a cutting a couple of pieces of paper to make an 8-page booklet.  Always, always, always put your name, date and (when applicable) period/subject on the notebooks.

3.  Read chapter 1 in "Cartoon guide to Chemistry."  This chapter discussed the history of chemistry.  Quick!  What was the very first chemical reaction to impress our ancestors?  (NOTE:  The history of chemistry, even though very briefly presented in the "Guide," is something all chemistry students should know.)

4.  Learned how to "preread."    We will go into more detail when you get your textbooks, and practice summarizing from books, but until then, go over ch. 1 of the Guide again, tomorrow.  This time, use the hints you learned from the "preread" sheet to take notes in your notebook on ch. 1.

5.  Discussed how to write a lab report.  There are 7 parts.  These are (a) statement of purpose, (b) materials and equipment, (c) procedure, (d) results with data, etc., (e) error analysis, (f) conclusions and recommendations, and (g) references. 

6. Had chance to start writing a lab report.  You titled it "The Hollow Penny," which was great title.  You learned how to use a triple beam balance to weigh a penny, then you learned the chemical reaction that would be involved (What was that reaction?) and you carried it out.  You saw the reaction start and you understand that it will go overnight.  You learned how to calculate dilution of an acid, and that the class of compounds called "salts" are composed of a metal and a nonmetal.  You began learning symbols for chemical elements and that the symbols used today are nowhere as complex as the symbols used by early alchemists.

We also discussed how many elements the ancients thought there were (earth, wind, fire and water), and how they realized there was something missing -- something mysterious that they named the "quintessence."  (You should define this, if you don't remember what we said in class.) 

We played with syringes to learn about air pressure. 

We also started talking about how to balance chemical reactions and what happens when something is "oxidized," or burned.  That led into the discussion of the different kinds of "airs" that Joseph Priestley discovered and we mentioned nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and oxygen.    Other elements we mentioned today were zinc, sodium, gold, potassium, iron, bromine, chlorine, fluorine and iodine.  (Please make sure you know the symbols for these elements and compounds.) We said a few words about the "father" of the periodic table, Demetri Meendelev.

For tomorrow, we will finish the hollow penny experiment.  You will need to dry and weigh what's left, then write up your report.