CHEM: Day 25 Homework

STUDY!!




Here's your review sheet, in case you lost it.

Link of the day

An interesting fossil find was announced in China today. Paleoarcheologists have discovered a transitional species representing an earlier step in the evolution of some dinosaur lines to birds. This fossil (although there is no picture with this article) has feathers on the forelegs and tail, AND the hind feet, which possibly makes this a four-winged species. How that would work aerodynamically, I don't know, maybe the feet were drawn up to "fill in" a shallow wing set, but don't be fooled into thinking that this critter had two wings sprouting from each shoulder. That's not the structure here. Why fantasy illustrators always draw four-winged creatures like that, I don't know.

Then again they are FANTASY illustrators, not reality illustrators. Dur.

CHEM: Day 24 - Homework

Sooo, the demos didn't go quite as planned today. I've left the test tubes overnight and we'll see if anything resolves by tomorrow.

Your homework for tomorrow is just to finish the lab report for Experiment 3. Make sure to attach the graph, there is no data table, and finish all of the sections of the lab NEATLY. Buy a ruler!

Also, all periods need to read Experiment 7 for tomorrow. We'll talk about the lab at the end of Period 3, but they will be doing the lab on Thursday after their exam.

That should do it.

Various links of the days

First - An article from Smithsonian magazine about new photos of the planets, most of which are from the Cassini probe orbiting through the Saturnian system, here. Make sure to click on the link to the Photo Gallery, in the center column about three items down. The lead picture of Saturn is famous, but you can't tell why from here. Ask me in class and I'll show you a bigger version.

Second - I know some of you will have fun with this site. You can make a graph of anything you want. There are some good ones, some bad ones, like any open user-driven content site. And then there are some that should not be true but are, for too many people.

For a more serious look at the graphical portrayal of information, you can check out this site too. In fact you should. Don't limit yourself to the first graph, either. Keep going and see what else you find. Another good site is WallStats. You can find some of his smaller projects starting here. Click through the photostream. This one is good though, if you want to jump ahead. I have two of his posters. I need to put them up outside the room.

There is also this site, which is a Map Party(TM). You can have all kinds of fun here. Lots of historical maps too.

And finally - before I head out to satiate my strange and sudden craving for barbeque - we so need to do this at school:

Office Nerf War | Viral/Other | SPIKE.com

And if the embed doesn't work, go here for the video. You'll be glad you did.

CHEM: Day 23 Homework

Homework is due for Tuesday Sept 29, ALL PERIODS (even first period, because you get the double-whammy lecture):

1) Read pp 293 - 298
2) ?s - p 312:  72, 75, 85, 86cd
          M p 67: 39 - 40
          M p 68: 45 - 47

3) Your lab report for Experiment 3 is due Wednesday, for all periods. There will be a couple of questions for homework as well, so plan ahead.

4) Your next exam is Thursday, for all periods. This means Period 3 is getting the double-whammy that day, since they'll have the exam and the lab to do.

The lab next week is Experiment 7. I should re-order the experiments in the lab manual, I suppose, since Lab 7 always comes before Lab 6 or 5 anymore, but I haven't. Experiment 7 is pretty short; you can finish in less than one period. HOWEVER - do not allow your need to get out of lab as fast as possible interfere with your observations. The writeup will be a little different as well, so make sure you take some notes when we discuss this in class.

Now for a little fun ...

CHEM: Day 22 Homework

The homework due Friday Sept 25 for all classes:

1) Read pp 289-292
2) ?s - p 312: 65, 71
          M p 71: 7 - 12
          M p 42: 11, 12

This assignment was slightly different for first period. Roll with what you have.

CHEM: Day 21 Homework

I haven't posted since Tuesday? Lame.

Some catch-up posts, for those of you who have forgotten how to write :)  :
Homework due for Thursday for periods 1, 4, and 8 (and was due Wednesday for Period 3) was assigned under the Day 20 Homework post.

p 312: 62, 66, 68, 70
M p 36: 5 (Use M p 249 if needed)
M p 39: 10

The lab report for Experiment 4 was due from Period 3 for Thursday.

More in a minute.

CHEM: Day 20 Homework

Period 4, where are you?

Questions due for your next class:
p 312: 62, 66, 68, 70
M p 36: 5 (Use M p 249 if needed)
M p 39: 10

Cool link of the day: For under the surface lies the future

This is science meeting science-fiction.

About fifteen years ago there was a short-lived sci-fi drama on NBC called SeaQuest DSV. The oceans were being colonized and were the new Wild West, and the SeaQuest was the supersub called on to keep the peace, do research, find the bad guys, all that stuff. Think Star Trek: Underwater. You can get it on NetFlix, but only the first season is anywhere near watchable. Then the NBC execs got a hold of it and screwed it up.

In the show there was the resident boy genius, Lucas Wolenczak. He figures out how to talk to dolphins, gets himself in lots of trouble, typical plot device kind of character. But one of the cooler subtexts in the show was the idea that if you want to move around in the water better, you need to move like the fish. So he and one of the navigators build a one-person personal submersible based on dolphin hydrodynamics. The show's aquaracer had two jets and a tail that "swam" to provide a rudder and stability, and the whole idea struck me as pretty novel. The running story of the sub was one of the better plot lines in the season.

And now someone's done it. Or come close enough for government work. They've been working on this for some time - you can see the prototype at the site - but now they're in production with two models - one a racing model, and one for us regular Joes. Doesn't look like it can dive too deeply yet, but it's a heck of a start.

Watch the videos of this thing. Hot diggity, I want one!

CHEM: Day19 - Homework

I need sleep. I'm glad to have your homework more done, but I'm beat.

For your next class:

1) Read p 247
2) ?s - M p  36: 3, 4
           M p 39: 7, 10
           M p 71: 1-6

For your lab:
1) Complete the lab report for Experiment 4
  Turn in pp 27-30, trimmed, plus a printout of the data table and your graph
2) Read Experiment 3
You'll be getting a few pointers on the lab, but mostly this one is all you. Be prepared!

See you tomorrow.

CHEM: Lab 4 Data Sheet Solution

A couple of you have written to tell me that you can't open the Excel data file. The data file I sent you is in the .xlsx Excel 2007 format. You will need a converter pack from Microsoft to open it.

I've sent out one copy of the data table in the old Excel 2003 format, but it occurs to me that you will be seeing more and more Office 2007 files coming from teachers and other sources, so it would be better for you to pick up the Compatibility Pack rather than ask for older file versions every time (and better for me not to send the file out in several different formats every time).

Here is a link to the MS page: Compatibility Pack for Windows

Once you have installed this, you should be able to open the files normally.

For Mac users running Office 2004, I think the new file formats are already installed. If not, it looks like you have to convert the file separately before opening the file (installing the following file doesn't appear from the description to integrate into your Office suite). This may be a drag-and-drop box, or you may have to run the program and select files from inside the program. Have fun finding out. :)

Here is a link for Mac users: Open XML File Format Converter for Mac

If you're using Linux, I don't know enough about the OS to help you.

I think OpenOffice reads all the XML fies natively, so if you use that you should be set. OpenOffice is free, but the download is a big file (~120MB). Play with it if you want.

If none of this makes sense to you, you can open the attachment with Google Docs. If you do, the file may not print nicely, but you should be able to pull up the data and work with it.

Do your other homework, too.

Updated link of the day

I have found another article discussing the first successful imaging of a molecule at the atomic level. This article offers more detail and a few images to help you visualize what's going on.

Here you go. Enjoy!

Video of the day

Jethro Tull. One of my top five bands of all time.

If you ever wondered whether people (like maybe your grandparents? HA!) actually dressed all hippie-dippie in the late 60s, the answer is a qualified yes. Some of them, anyway. Here is evidence.

Jethro Tull - Witches Promise, 1970

Granted, Ian Anderson (the frontman on flute) looks like he's in a bathrobe, but the bass player is all decked out, an the guitarist's and drummer's hats are classic. This is about the most tricked-out video I have seen of them, so it's the right one for a Friday.

I saw Tull in concert in 1989. One of the best concerts I've ever seen. Two hours of solid music. The band took breaks in shifts, and there was always someone or a small group on stage rocking it out. For a band of five people, they put on quite a show.

Everybody tell DJ $penca to listen to more Tull. :)

CHEM: Day 18 - Homework

Are you ready for the weekend?

Everyone's homework for Monday is:
1) Complete Naming Worksheet IV - do it in your duplicate book!
2) Read pp 282-288
3) Work on your lab reports for Experiment 4.

Remember that the lab report for this week's experiment is another "pull-out" lab. You will turn in pp 27-30, properly trimmed of filigree, plus a printout of the data table (you can download the data table here), plus your histogram of the data. Your graph must be a full page graph, with all appropriate labels and information. Refer to page A-21 in your lab manual for an example graph and a list of the needed components.

If you choose to graph your data with Excel, then you'll need to set aside some time to learn how to graph with it. The onboard Help will point you in the right directions, but it's not the most new-user-friendly writeup. You will have to play a bit and see what you can get to work. If this does not appeal to you, do the graph by hand. You will be doing another histogram for Experiment 6, so make sure you don't forget everything you're doing now.

That should do it.

Link of the day

Now that you type so much, your natural practice with writing suffers. FOr many of you, this leaves you with some difficulty communicating without a computer.

Here's an article on the need to print legibly, and why. The letter printing drill is only useful if you actually do it, and I'm not suggesting that (for most of you). However, there's a little surprise about two-thirds of the way down that I thought was really interesting - obvious, but not recognized. It's the part of the article right after the third writing example, on how you actually read the written language. Take a minute and look at it.

You might be glad you did.

CHEM: Day 17 Homework

I was going to give you some reading, but that can wait for the weekend.

Everyone's homework for tomorrow is to complete Naming Worksheet III, in your duplicate book. Spend a little time on it. Start to familiarize yourself with the polyatomic ions and writing more complex formulas.

Over the weekend you're going to have another naming worksheet, some reading, and your lab report to work on. Plan your work and work your plan, kids.

CHEM: Day 15 - Homework

For today's homework, there is a bit of a correction. Follow along below.

Period 1:
1) Molecular Naming Worksheet - do in duplicate book
2) Read pp 218-224

Period 3:
1) Naming Worksheet II - do in duplicate book
--Omit the tungsten compounds. We'll talk about this tomorrow.

Periods 4 and 8:
Due for lab -
1) Read Exp 4
2) Finish lab report for Exp 2 - turn in
3) Pre-lab ?s for Exp 4 - do in duplicate book and turn in

For Periods 4 and 8, your Naming Worksheet II will be due Thursday. Omit the tungsten compounds as well.

That should do it. Sorry this has been late getting up.

CHEM: Day 14 Homework

Well, this has gotten away form me this week. Sorry about that.

Due for Tuesday:

Next class -
1) Read pp 218-224
2) Molecular Naming Worksheet - do in duplicate book.

Due for lab -
1) Read Exp 4
2) Finish lab report for Exp 2 - turn in
3) Pre-lab ?s for Exp 4 - do in duplicate book and turn in

Book it. Done.

Cool link of the day

I wish I had this kind of time and skill. Most impressive.

CHEM: Day 13 Homework

Here we go. Are you ready for the weekend?

Homework or Monday, all classes:
1) Read pp 248-252
2) Periodic Table Worksheet - Do on sheet. You will need colored pencils or pens to complete the assignment.
3) On the back of the Periodic Table Worksheet (to save paper)
?s - pp 95-96: 74, 76, 82, 85

Show your work!

Where are your shoeboxes?! Due Tuesday!

Cool link of the day

Quick link (because your parents are here):

This is a cave in Mexico with the larges crystals found anywhere in the world. These selenite crystals grew over a half-million year period and only recently were discovered when a mine broke through the wall to find these. They are big enough to walk on. The cave itself has a temperature of over 150 degrees F and a high humidity - without special environment suits, people have died in under fifteen minutes.

Check it out.

CHEM: Day 11 Homework

Sorry this is late. I am briefly consoled by the fact that
1) there's not much to do, and
2) this was all on the board yesterday.

If you have class tomorrow:
1) Make sure you've read pp 84 - 90
2) ?s - p 95: 65 - 70

If you have lab tomorrow:
1) Finish Exp 1 lab report and turn it in. Stapled, trimmed, and in order.
2) Read the procedure for Exp 2 - make sure you read the questions too!
3) Bring your comp book, a ruler and a black pen to class. Two people forgot that today, and they'll have to set up their books by themselves.

The assignment for Friday will be the same for all of you. And short.

Later!

Cool link of the day

One of the many reasons I love science - new discoveries all the time.

Scientists climbed down into a volcanic crater a kilometer deep and three kilometers wide that has been geographically isolated from the rest of Papua New Guinea's flora and fauna for 200,000 years. What do they find? New critters! Grunting fish, giant rats, frogs with fangs, kangaroos living in trees - and they've only been there a month.

FAAAAAAANTASTIC.

CHEM: Day 10 - Homework

It's weird having the third week of school be short.

Remember, Mini-School is tomorrow.

Homework:

For lab:
1) Exp 1 Report due. Tear out the pages and data/obs table, trim them, answer all the questions, turn them in. The report should be stapled before you arrive.
2) Read Exp  Read the questions too. It's always a good idea to know more about what you are looking for.
3) Bring your comp book, a ruler and a black pen to class.

For your next class:
1) Make sure you have read pp 84-90
2) ?s - p 95: 65-70

Where are your shoeboxes?

CS

Random cute link of the day

Because I have to share pictures of kids and their dogs.

CHEM: Day 9 - Homework

I hope your tests went well. Because one of you needs to make up the test, I will have to hold on to them for a couple of days next week. Be patient.

Your homework for the Labor Day weekend is as follows:

1) Your lab report for Experiment 1 is due on your lab day next week. Finish pages 9-11, attach the data table (pp 5 and 6), trim off all the hanging filigree from ripping the pages out of your book, and staple it together. Your lab reports must be done before you arrive, or I will consider them late work and dock you points accordingly.

NO PHOTOCOPIES. NO TYPING.

For your next class -
2) Read pp 84-90
3) ?s - p 92: 40, 41, 42, 46, 58, 60

For lab -

2) Read Experiment 2. Make sure you read the questions too!
3) Make sure you bring your comp book, a black pen, and a ruler to class. I have a couple of rulers, but bring your own if you have one. We'll spend the first half of the period setting up your comp book and going through the sample report in your lab manual, and then you get to burn stuff.

4) Bring in your shoebox. You have eleven days left. I have six of the 46 I need from you. If you honestly don't have any shoeboxes at home, go to a shoe store and ask them for one. They have plenty of emtpy boxes from floor displays and such.

Enjoy your weekend, eh?

Tip of the Day

There is a fantastic Web site called Lifehacker. The site leaders spend all day finding new and interesting ways for you to make your life a little less hectic and a little (or a lot) more productive.

Yesterday the editors put together a Top 10 List of student iPhone apps, some of which look pretty good. There's a homework tracker, a larger assignment/studies organizer, a great (and free) periodic table app, and a unit converter (which you cannot use on your test today).

Worth looking at.

CHEM: Day 8 - Homework

STUUUUDY!!!

CHEM: Day 7 - Homework

Forgot to post this yesterday.

All I wanted was the Sig Fig Practice Sheet II. In your duplicate book of course.

The board in front of the room is your primary resource for determining your assignments. This assignment was up there. Keep an eye on that.

CHEM: Day 6 Homework

Lots going on today. Busy busy busy!

Homework:
1) Read pp 76 - 83
2) ?s  - p 62: 78abfg, 79abc, 88, 89, 91, 92
           p 94: 33, 34, 37, 38, 43

So you're only doing the lettered problems in 78 and 79.

Remember, your first exam is Friday. Here is your review topic sheet.