Chemistry 1 2015-16
Year 1 syllabus
Course goals: Chemistry involves study of the composition and changes of matter. Chemistry is both descriptive and quantitative. This course is the first year of a two year sequence designed to help students prepare for the International Baccalaureate Exam in chemistry at either the standard or higher level. Chemistry year 1 is centered on both logic and theory, which are demonstrated through controlled experiments and the scientific inquiry process. The class emphasizes measurement, problem solving, and the processes involved in both physical and chemical changes. Models are used to explain observable phenomena and are verified by experimentation and observation. Scientific laws, theories, principles, and concepts are stressed. Emphasis in this class will be placed on understanding and applying principles rather than mere recall of data.
Content goals:
The material relating to general Chemistry and some IB Chemistry topics will be covered during this class. In addition topics and options relating to the advanced higher level extensions will be covered to the extent possible within the time constraints of the school year. Topics will include
1) Introduction and Quantitative Chemistry: The Atom, Chemical Formulas and the mole concept. Chemical reactions and equations. Measurement with mass and basic gas volume relationships. Study methods and resources, mathematical skills, assessment of practical lab work and topic content. Lab techniques and safety.
(IB topics 1,11)
2) Atomic Structure: The Atom, mass spectrometer and relative atomic mass. Emission spectra. Electron configuration. Sub-levels and orbitals. Nuclear Chemistry.
(IB topics 2, 12)
3) Periodicity: Periodic law, periodic physical and chemical properties.
(IB topics 3,13)
4) Bonding: Ionic, covalent, metallic, shapes of simple molecules and ions, delocalization, hybridization, carbon allotropes, intermolecular forces. (IB topics 4,14)
5) Stoichiometry. Gases. Further quantitative chemistry: Mole concept. Molar volume of gas and calculations. Chemical Nomenclature, Chemical formulas, reactions, equations and calculations. Solutions. (IB topic 1)
6) Equilibrium: Equilibrium law, applications of equilibrium law, calculations. (IB topics 7, 17)
7) Acids and bases: Theories, salt hydrolysis, properties, pH scale, calculations, weak acids/bases, buffer solutions, titration, indicators (IB topics 8, 18)
8) Environmental Chemistry: Air pollution, acid deposition, greenhouse effect, global warming, ozone depletion, dissolved oxygen in water, water pollutants, waste water treatment, soil, waste, smog. (IB option E)
9) Oxidation and Reduction: Introduction to oxidation and reduction. Redox equations. Reactivity. (IB topics 9, 19)
10) Organic Chemistry: Introduction. Alkanes. Alkenes. Alcohols. Halogenoalkanes. Reaction pathways. (IB topics 10, 20)
11) Lab practical work: Measurement and data processing, conclusion and evaluation, experimental design, graphical techniques, uncertainty and error in measurement. Data logging, inquiry. (IB topic 11 and practical lab work)
Assessment:
1) Obtaining a high final grade: Study Methods: For many students Chemistry can be their ‘most difficult’ course if taken early in high school. You will succeed if you make a reasonable effort to learn, to participate in class activities and to meet the class requirements. Students who are successful at obtaining a high final grade develop or have certain characteristics which will be discussed carefully at the start of the course. Some of those characteristics include an acceptance that school is their job, that courses can be difficult and that they do have to find ways to make sense of the material beyond what is presented by the teacher in class. Good students find ways to enjoy the struggle of learning and accept that it is a life-long craft worth appreciating. Taking it easy and cramming the night before exams, tests and quizzes is not effective for most students in Chemistry; the course is too difficult for that. After each lesson, students who concentrate of trying to understand the content, going beyond rote learning, and use various resources to learn more, are those who do well. Students who get stuck have several options. They work with other students regularly, knowing that you only truly understand something if you have to explain it to someone else. They come in during tutorial for help. They read and then write in their own words and go online and use resources there to learn beyond what was talked about in class. Many successful students find that a course which was the ‘most difficult’ was the ‘most rewarding’ too, because they had learned so much by the end, similar to climbing a challenging mountain.
2) Calculators and math calculations: Some of the early parts of the course involve basic calculations. Some students do find these hard initially. Persevere and see if you can identify exactly what the difficulty is and seek help. Most students find that as the course progresses and more examples are covered their confidence to handle numerical problems increases considerably. In Chemistry the mathematical skills essentially concern numeracy rather than complex mathematical techniques. But students should be confident in the following areas to become successful in this course: Perform basic functions, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division. Carry out calculations involving means, decimals, fractions, percentages, ratios, approximations and reciprocals. Use standard notation (i.e. 1.8 x 108). Use direct and indirect proportion. Solve simple algebraic equations. Plot and interpret graphs, including significance of gradients, changes in gradient, intercepts and areas.
3) Grading:
Resources:
1) Class: topics will be discussed, lectured about, presented on overheads, videos, PowerPoint’s, posters and more. Worksheets as process oriented inquiry will be used. Group work will often be done. Students will take notes and should re-write them and review them at home. Missing a block day of Chemistry class often makes it difficult to ‘catch up’ especially early in the year. Students with excused absences should meet with other students or see the teacher during a break for help. Late work is unacceptable.
2) Lab: Almost every week students will work on lab practical work, to help learn topical material and experimental design as part of scientific inquiry and methods. Lab practical are assessed in several ways and an essential aspect of Chemistry. Lab time can not be made up. Students with excused absences should meet with other students or see the teacher during a break for help.
3) Tutorial and office hours: I am always here during tutorial but it can be busy. Students can arrange to see me during other times, most often at lunch. I have small children at home and can not often stay after school.
4) Textbook: Modern Chemistry. Students are responsible to study this book beyond what is presented in class. Students who are interested in the IB SL coursework can consider purchasing other textbooks and study guides which will be discussed during the introduction unit.
5) Websites: Due dates, valuable online links for learning more about chemistry and important information for students and parents can be found starting on the Cleveland Chemistry weblog. www.1chemstaab.blogspot.com Please check this site often and due dates, test, quiz and exam dates are subject to change.
SAFETY:
1) Safety contract: students and parents are expected to read, sign and discuss, then return, the safety contract. Safety in Chemistry is the first priority for everyone. Students who do not behave responsibly in the lab will be removed from the course. “Goggles, goggles, goggles!” Student responsibility in the lab is part of their lab practical grade.
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