Introduction:
This is a chemistry course based upon the Physical Setting curriculum of New York State. Chemistry is the central science concerned with the properties and changes that materials undergo. The study of chemistry helps us understand the natural world and has allowed the human race to achieve unbelievable feats. Everything you can touch or taste or smell is a chemical. It's the explanation for everyday things, like why laundry detergent works better in hot water or how a baking soda & vinegar volcano worked in 3rd grade. Chemistry is the reason why we are able to build aluminum airplanes and have nano-sized ipods & cell phones. Throughout the duration of this course, instruction will also focus on the development of scientific ideas, the nature of science and the direct implications science has on our lives.
This course has a mandatory laboratory component as set forth by New York State. In order to be effective scientists, you will be expected to actively DO science by participating in laboratory activities. Our labs this year will be a combination of classroom demonstrations, hands on activities and engaging online labs to ensure a well-rounded chemistry experience. Students must complete a full complement of satisfactory digital lab reports on google classroom in order to be eligible to take the New York State Regents Exam (1200 minutes).
This year, we will be covering the following topics: Matter & Energy, Atomic Theory, Periodic Table, Bonding & Forces of Attraction, Moles & Stoichiometry, Gas Laws, Solutions, Kinetics & Equilibrium, Acids/Bases, Electrochemistry, Organic and Nuclear Chemistry.
As a Chemistry student you will be expected to:
Be Prepared – with the materials and an attitude to learn.
Be Prompt – Lateness in any form will not be tolerated.
Be Productive – both inside and outside of the classroom.
Be Polite – to our classroom, yourself, your fellow students and your awesome teacher. This rule is the single most important rule of our classroom. Our classroom is a learning environment and disrespect detracts from this environment and will not be tolerated.
Our classroom will combination of digital and paper assignments this year. As a result, it is your responsibility to have a charged, working chromebook in class every day. Although I will not be handing out papers regularly, I am asking that you have a notebook or binder where you can take notes and work out example problems.