Category Archives: Chemistry

Space-Filling Models

Pop Mini-Quiz!

After completing the quiz, read and follow the steps below:

  1. Read Lesson 39 in the textbook (pages 200-202).  Use a paper copy of the text or try logging in to the digital textbook (instructions at the bottom of this post).
  2. Write the definition for Space-Filling Model in your Chapter 7 Notes.  The definition is in the glossary (page G-20).
  3. Write a short summary of what you think are the most important things to remember from what you read in Lesson 39.
  4. Use MolView, a free molecular modeling software program available online, to search for the molecules shown in Lesson 39.  To begin, type methyl octanoate into the search bar to see the structure.
  5. Rotate the ball-and-stick model around by clicking and dragging the molecule.
  6. Use the Models > Representations menu and select the van der Waals Spheres option.  How does the ball-and-stick model compare with the van der Waals Spheres model?
  7. Repeat the process with the other molecules shown in Lesson 39.
  8. Research the name of the molecule responsible for your own favorite smell.  Can you find it in MolView?

Homework:

  • Read Lesson 39 in the textbook.  Login via hs.saplinglearning.com and enter your username and password:
    • Username: wahps****s-####### (**** = first 4 letters of your last name and ####### = student number).  Remember to include the dash between s and #.
    • Password: S-####### (the S must be capitalized)
  • Write notes for Lesson 39 on the Chapter 7 Notes handout.
  • Work through the practice problems at the end of Lesson 39.
  • Please ask questions about anything from Lesson 39 you do not yet fully understand.

Molecular Shape

We returned to the molecular modeling kits in Lesson 38, this time using the kits to learn about the shape of molecules.  We worked through the Lesson 38 PowerPoint, learning vocabulary terms to describe molecular shape.  Students then worked in small groups to complete the Lesson 38 Worksheet.

Notes from class:

Homework:

  • Read Lesson 38 in the textbook.  Login via hs.saplinglearning.com and enter your username and password:
    • Username: wahps****s-####### (**** = first 4 letters of your last name and ####### = student number).  Remember to include the dash between s and #.
    • Password: S-####### (the S must be capitalized)
  • Write notes for Lesson 38 on the Chapter 7 Notes handout.
  • Work through the practice problems at the end of Lesson 38.
  • Please ask questions about anything from Lesson 38 you do not yet fully understand.

Electron Domains

Winter Break Survey

We began the day with the Lesson 37 PowerPoint.  Students learned about electron domains and how they affect the shape of a molecule.  They then worked in pairs on the Lesson 37 Worksheet.

Key ideas:

  • noble gases (single atoms) are visualized as points
  • molecules consisting of two atoms (i.e. hydrogen fluoride) are linear
  • molecules consisting of three atoms can be bent (H2O) or linear (CO2)
  • molecules consisting of four atoms, like ammonia (NH3) are called pyramidal
  • molecules consisting of five atoms, like methane (CH4) are called tetrahedral

Homework:

  • Read Lesson 37 in the textbook.  Login via hs.saplinglearning.com and enter your username and password:
    • Username: wahps****s-####### (**** = first 4 letters of your last name and ####### = student number).  Remember to include the dash between s and #.
    • Password: S-####### (the S must be capitalized)
  • Write notes for Lesson 37 on the Chapter 7 Notes handout.
  • Work through the practice problems at the end of Lesson 37.
  • Please ask questions about anything from Lesson 37 you do not yet fully understand.

Ball-and-Stick Models

For the first lesson of Chapter 7, students applied the 3-dimensional ball-and-stick model to bridge the concepts of molecular shape, functional groups, and smell.  The Lesson 36 PowerPoint introduced students to the model, during which time they passed around actual models constructed with molecular modeling kits.  Next, students transitioned to the activity portion of the lesson, experiencing the scents of five different compounds, connecting the smells to molecular structure, and recording observations and analysis responses in the Lesson 36 Worksheet.

Homework:

  • Read Lesson 36 in the textbook.  Login via hs.saplinglearning.com and enter your username and password:
    • Username: wahps****s-####### (**** = first 4 letters of your last name and ####### = student number).  Remember to include the dash between s and #.
    • Password: S-####### (the S must be capitalized)
  • Write notes for Lesson 36 on the Chapter 7 Notes handout.
  • Work through the practice problems at the end of Lesson 36.
  • Please ask questions about anything from Lesson 36 you do not yet fully understand.

Chapter 6 Review

Instructions for the review today were written on the white board (pictured below).  Students had the class period to create the best possible functional group poster using posters from all five of my chemistry classes as resources.  Remaining time was to be used working through the Chapter 6 Review Exercises from the textbook, and adding vocabulary and summaries from lessons 34 and 35 from the book.  Note: the Chapter 6 test on Monday will only include questions covering Lessons 28-33.

 

Functional Groups

We began class with an entry task in which students read Lesson 33 in the textbook and then recorded the definition of functional group and wrote a brief summary of the lesson in their Chapter 6 Notes.  Students then copied the functional groups pictured below into their lab notebooks.  Although we did not use it today, the Lesson 33 PowerPoint is provided here as a learning resource.

Students were then assigned to a Functional Group project team and began working on the Functional Group Project.  Students have through the end of the class period tomorrow to research the various aspects of the functional group and create a poster which will be utilized by the class next Monday during the Chapter 6 test.


12/6 Update: After reviewing the initial set of posters, it was determined an additional round of revision was required to produce the best quality posters to be used on the test.  Poster teams were provided with functional group posters from across my five chemistry classes and then used those posters and all other available resources to produce the best possible poster for their functional group.  The winning poster from each functional group is shown below, with each member of the winning team receiving 10 bonus points on the test.


Keep Learning!

Students are encouraged to watch the video below and practice drawing structures:

Homework:

  • Read Lesson 33 in the textbook.  Login via hs.saplinglearning.com and enter your username and password:
    • Username: wahps****s-####### (**** = first 4 letters of your last name and ####### = student number).  Remember to include the dash between s and #.
    • Password: S-####### (the S must be capitalized)
  • Write notes for Lesson 33 on the Chapter 6 Notes handout.
  • Work through the practice problems at the end of Lesson 33.
  • Please ask questions about anything from Lesson 33 you do not yet fully understand.

Octet Rule

We continued our study of Lewis Dot Structures by investigating the Octet Rule through the lens of double and triple bonds.  Students applied the HONC 1234 rule with their understanding of valence electrons (octet = eight electrons) to build molecules that share one or more bonds.  We worked through the Lesson 32 PowerPoint and then students used the Lewis Dot puzzle pieces from Lesson 31 to work through the Lesson 32 worksheet.

Notes from the whiteboard:

Remaining class time was utilized to read Lesson 32 in the textbook, summarizing the main ideas in the Chapter 6 Notes and working through the practice problems at the end of the lesson.

Homework:

  • Read Lesson 32 in the textbook.  Login via hs.saplinglearning.com and enter your username and password:
    • Username: wahps****s-####### (**** = first 4 letters of your last name and ####### = student number).  Remember to include the dash between s and #.
    • Password: S-####### (the S must be capitalized)
  • Write notes for Lesson 32 on the Chapter 6 Notes handout.
  • Work through the practice problems at the end of Lesson 32.
  • Please ask questions about anything from Lesson 32 you do not yet fully understand.

Lewis Dot Symbols

We extended our learning of the HONC 1234 rule from yesterday by re-introducing the concept of Lewis Dot Symbols and Structures.  The Lesson 31 PowerPoint includes key vocabulary, and we reviewed Lewis Dot Symbols and how they assemble to create Lewis Dot Structures in our class notes. Students had the remainder of the class period to work in groups of four on the  Lesson 31 Worksheet using the Lewis Dot Puzzle Pieces.   Students were reminded of the mini-quiz tomorrow covering content from Lessons 28-31.

Notes from class:

Remaining class time was utilized to read Lesson 31 in the textbook, summarizing the main ideas in the Chapter 6 Notes and working through the practice problems at the end of the lesson.

Keep Learning!

The videos below all include information about Lewis Dot symbols.  In preparation for the mini-quiz tomorrow, you are strongly encouraged to review them!

Homework:

  • Read Lesson 31 in the textbook.  Login via hs.saplinglearning.com and enter your username and password:
    • Username: wahps****s-####### (**** = first 4 letters of your last name and ####### = student number).  Remember to include the dash between s and #.
    • Password: S-####### (the S must be capitalized)
  • Write notes for Lesson 31 on the Chapter 6 Notes handout.
  • Work through the practice problems at the end of Lesson 31.
  • Please ask questions about anything from Lesson 31 you do not yet fully understand.

Bonding Tendencies

In the Lesson 30 PowerPoint, students were introduced to the HONC 1234 rule.   We then worked together as a class on the first three problems of the Lesson 30 Worksheet and students had the remainder of the class period to complete the worksheet.

Notes from the whiteboard:

Remaining class time was utilized to read Lesson 30 in the textbook, summarizing the main ideas in the Chapter 6 Notes and working through the practice problems at the end of the lesson.

Homework:

  • Read Lesson 30 in the textbook.  Login via hs.saplinglearning.com and enter your username and password:
    • Username: wahps****s-####### (**** = first 4 letters of your last name and ####### = student number).  Remember to include the dash between s and #.
    • Password: S-####### (the S must be capitalized)
  • Write notes for Lesson 30 on the Chapter 6 Notes handout.
  • Work through the practice problems at the end of Lesson 30.
  • Please ask questions about anything from Lesson 30 you do not yet fully understand.

Structural Formulas

We continued our work from yesterday, beginning with the Lesson 29 PowerPoint.  After preparing for the lesson, students worked through the Lesson 29 worksheet which included another “wafting” lab in which two additional scents were provided for students to smell and connect with molecular formulas.  Students learned that two molecules can have the same molecular formula but smell very differently.  One compound smelled like rum extract, while an isomer of that compound smells like stinky cheese.  The compounds are isomers because they have the same chemical formula but different structural formula.  The lab further enabled students to make connections between compound names, molecular formulas, structural formulas, and smell.

Notes from the whiteboard:

Remaining class time was utilized to read Lesson 29 in the textbook, summarizing the main ideas in the Chapter 6 Notes and working through the practice problems at the end of the lesson.

Homework:

  • Read Lesson 29 in the textbook.  Login via hs.saplinglearning.com and enter your username and password:
    • Username: wahps****s-####### (**** = first 4 letters of your last name and ####### = student number).  Remember to include the dash between s and #.
    • Password: S-####### (the S must be capitalized)
  • Write notes for Lesson 29 on the Chapter 6 Notes handout.
  • Work through the practice problems at the end of Lesson 29.
  • Please ask questions about anything from Lesson 29 you do not yet fully understand.