Chemistry
Lab Reflection
In the Sand, Salt, Iron Eduweblab we can relate it to the notes that we took about matter. For this lab, we are given a type of matter called a heterogeneous mixture. It is a uniform mixture of sand, salt, and iron. This means that I can chemically separate the mixture into single components. My data for this lab is in the Chemistry Project folder under the Sand, Salt, Iron Lab Spreadsheet. This lab was a great connection to the lab and it was good practice to get comfortable with the new vocabulary.
Nobel Prize Reading Response
1. How does this relate to what you have learned this semester?
The two articles “Particle Control in a Quantum World” and “Measuring and Manipulating Individual Quantum Systems” relate to things that we have learned this semester. We have learned about quantum mechanics and how to find it in everyday life situations. Quantum mechanics is a branch of physics which deals with physical phenomena at microscopic scales, where the action is on the order of the Planck constant. The “Particle Control in a Quantum World” discusses the process of labs and tests done over time to confirm knowledge about ions in a cavity. Also, the author talked about the unknown of the production. Will told the class in the beginning of the year that there are hard topics to discuss because it is impossible to physically see the objects and no way to prove certain theories. Quantum mechanics is kind of similar in the way that it just is. The experiment is proven by testing multiple times and takes lots of time, patience, and dedication.
2. Which article best portrays the information? Why? (Give specific examples from the text)
The article that best portrays the information is “Measuring and Manipulating Individual Quantum Systems”. I believe this because it displays simple images to show the information in an interesting way and for people who like to look at pictures rather than reading a complicated paper. I found this to be most helpful for my learning skills. The content was also easier to understand and got the point across faster than the other article. Both were different and helpful but this article is easy to follow and shows the whole process of how quantum systems work in a very detailed manner.
3. If you were to use one version for distribution to the general public, which one would you use and why?
If I were to use one version or distribution to the general public, I would use the same “Measuring and Manipulating Individual Quantum Systems” article because it can be understood by most people whereas the other article can be more complicated and harder to follow. If I gave my parents both articles, they would most likely skim the large text blocks and look at the article’s picture so that they could get a general idea of what the authors are trying to get across. This article has very structures paragraphs which makes it easy to follow along and less complicated.
4. Is one of these a more accurate (faithful) representation of the work done? Why?
I believe that the article that is most accurate or faithful representation of the work done is the “Particle Control in a Quantum World” because it goes into very excessive detail about the process. It explains each step that the inventors took in a very thorough way. Scientists would most likely lean towards this one because it talks more about the scientific reasoning of each process. It also discusses the great breakthroughs that we have had in trying new experiments with quantum physics. Overall, Scientists, teachers, and chemists would probably like the “Particle COntrol in a Quantum World” better than the other article. Children or students who want a brief description with pictures would probably enjoy and get more out of the “Measuring and Manipulating Individual Quantum Systems” better.
Student Led ConferenceHow has your experience in chemistry changed your view on the world around you?
Chemistry is very interesting to me. My experience has changed my view on the world by reminding me that this world is so big and humans are just are small portion of this Earth. I am also on the lookout for any chemicals I can find around me.
Reflect on your preparation for the first exam; what changes (if any) would you make to ensure success in chemistry?
The night before the first exam I prepared a lot. I made very detailed learning targets and made it easy for me to study from. I got a 4, 3, and a 1 on the exam. I will be making up the 3 and the 1 this week. To ensure success in chemistry, I need to continue doing my homework, study for the tests, and working well with my partners in group projects.
What systems do you have in place to connect what we’ve learned in class to the learning targets?
I am the kind of person who wants to understand things. What we have been learning in class is very interesting to me and for the learning targets I try to expand my knowledge on the topic and I try to find a connection the best I can. I also ask a lot of questions to learn more about each target.
Describe your level of confidence in chemistry? Do you feel you will earn the grade you desire? What additional support do you envision to meet that goal?
I would rank my confidence in chemistry at a 7/10. I came up with this number because I understand most of the things we learn in class but it does not translate on my test results which makes me think that I do not know the topic as well as I thought.
What has your progression as a student been like over the course of your time at HTHMA (freshman year versus sophomore year) both academically and socially?
My progression as a student over the course of your time at HTHMA has been very smooth at times and quite difficult. Academically, I have been on top of my work and continue to work very hard to maintain good grades. Socially, I have made very strong relationships with new and old students.
What accomplishment from the semester are you most proud of?
I am very proud of myself this year for working so hard. School is my first priority and I always try my best. One accomplishment from this semester is my writing skills. Before this semester, I had difficulties sitting down and writing an essay. Now I am feeling a little bit more confident in making my writing more sophisticated by using good vocabulary. I also passed my permit test!
Worksheet Answers
If you had to reduce scientific history to one important statement, what would it be? Why?
According to Richard Feynman, if you had to reduce history to one important statement, it would be, “All things are made of atoms. They are everywhere and they constitute everything. Look around you. It is al atoms. Not just the solid things like walls and tables and sofas, but the air in between. And they are there in numbers that you really cannot conceive.
Make an argument to support the statement that each one of us is billions of years old?
One argument to support the statement that each one of us is billions of year old is that we are atomically numerous and so vigorously recycled at death, that a significant number of our atoms have been suggested by many people that we are made of some atoms that are billions of years old.
How can Dalton be considered the father of atomic theory even though the idea of the atom was invented by ancient Greeks?
Dalton can be considered the father of atomic theory even though the idea of the atom was invented by ancient Greeks because Dalton knew that hydrogen was the lightest element, so he gave it an atomic weight of one. He also believed that water consisted of seven parts of oxygen to one of hydrogen. So he gave oxygen an atomic weight of seven.
Describe the experiment that Ernest Rutherford and Hans Geiger did with ionized helium atoms. What did it teach them about the structure of the atom?
The experiment that Ernest Rutherford and Hans Geiger did with ionized helium atoms was the process of firing a fifteen inch shell at a sheet of paper and it rebounded into his lap. This taught the two men that the structure of an atom is mainly consisted of empty space.
In what way is it correct to say that objects never really touch each other?
It is correct to say that objects never really touch each other because Timothy Ferriss explains that, “the negatively charged fields if the two balls repel each other...were it not for their electrical charges they could pass right through each other unscathled.”
Electrons are negatively charged and protons are positively charged. Negative and positive charges attract. According to Niels Bohr, why don’t electrons fall into the nucleus owing to this attraction?
Electrons don’t fall into the nucleus owing to this attraction because “they could occupy certain well-defined orbits.”
What is uncertain in the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle?
The uncertain part of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle is that we can know the path an electron takes as it moves through a space or we can know where it is at a given instant. Any attempt to measure one will unavoidably disturb the other.
Einstein did not believe that God “played dice.” What did he mean by that statement?
Einstein did not believe that God “played dice” which means that he did not believe that God could create a universe in which some things were forever unknowable.
On page 137-138, Nobel Prize winner Ernest Rutherford is described as “not especially brilliant,” “terrible at mathematics,” and “not clever at experimentation.” If that is the case. what are the important characteristics of a good scientist? Who would make the the better scientist: a very small person with average work habits or a very hard working person of average intelligence? Where does creativity fit in? Is it more closely related to intelligence of hard work?
The most important characteristics of a good scientist are patience, willingness and knowing your material. A person with good work ethics and average intelligence would be a better scientist because if you are working hard to understand something better, you can grow intellectually. However, if you do not put in effort, the scientist is not as open to learning more. If you’re creative you can think of ways to understand topics in a different way.
Is it possible to draw and atom to scale? Why or why not? How does this relate to our discussion of planetary scales?
No, it is not possible to draw an atom to scale. You can not do this because it is so small that even with the best equipment you still can not see it. This relates to our discussion of planetary scales because we can’t draw all of our planets to scale because even with the best equipment, it is too big to draw.
Academic Learning Target 1: I can identify and use appropriate equipment to measure an object to the correct number of significant figures.
1.1: Correctly determine the number of significant figures for a given number.
3789: 4 sf
9: 1 sf
440: 2 sf
308: 3 sf
1000.: 4 sf
22.0: 3 sf
1.2: Correctly round answers to the correct number of significant figures when using mathematical operations.
2.1: Describe the charge, location, and relative size of the particles that make up an atom.
Academic Learning Target 3: I can describe the difference between elements, isotopes, and radioactivity.
3.1: Compare and contrast the isotopes in an element.
C14 = 0.5 %
12 x .97
13 x .025
14 x 0.005
Average atomic mass = 12.2035
In the Sand, Salt, Iron Eduweblab we can relate it to the notes that we took about matter. For this lab, we are given a type of matter called a heterogeneous mixture. It is a uniform mixture of sand, salt, and iron. This means that I can chemically separate the mixture into single components. My data for this lab is in the Chemistry Project folder under the Sand, Salt, Iron Lab Spreadsheet. This lab was a great connection to the lab and it was good practice to get comfortable with the new vocabulary.
Nobel Prize Reading Response
1. How does this relate to what you have learned this semester?
The two articles “Particle Control in a Quantum World” and “Measuring and Manipulating Individual Quantum Systems” relate to things that we have learned this semester. We have learned about quantum mechanics and how to find it in everyday life situations. Quantum mechanics is a branch of physics which deals with physical phenomena at microscopic scales, where the action is on the order of the Planck constant. The “Particle Control in a Quantum World” discusses the process of labs and tests done over time to confirm knowledge about ions in a cavity. Also, the author talked about the unknown of the production. Will told the class in the beginning of the year that there are hard topics to discuss because it is impossible to physically see the objects and no way to prove certain theories. Quantum mechanics is kind of similar in the way that it just is. The experiment is proven by testing multiple times and takes lots of time, patience, and dedication.
2. Which article best portrays the information? Why? (Give specific examples from the text)
The article that best portrays the information is “Measuring and Manipulating Individual Quantum Systems”. I believe this because it displays simple images to show the information in an interesting way and for people who like to look at pictures rather than reading a complicated paper. I found this to be most helpful for my learning skills. The content was also easier to understand and got the point across faster than the other article. Both were different and helpful but this article is easy to follow and shows the whole process of how quantum systems work in a very detailed manner.
3. If you were to use one version for distribution to the general public, which one would you use and why?
If I were to use one version or distribution to the general public, I would use the same “Measuring and Manipulating Individual Quantum Systems” article because it can be understood by most people whereas the other article can be more complicated and harder to follow. If I gave my parents both articles, they would most likely skim the large text blocks and look at the article’s picture so that they could get a general idea of what the authors are trying to get across. This article has very structures paragraphs which makes it easy to follow along and less complicated.
4. Is one of these a more accurate (faithful) representation of the work done? Why?
I believe that the article that is most accurate or faithful representation of the work done is the “Particle Control in a Quantum World” because it goes into very excessive detail about the process. It explains each step that the inventors took in a very thorough way. Scientists would most likely lean towards this one because it talks more about the scientific reasoning of each process. It also discusses the great breakthroughs that we have had in trying new experiments with quantum physics. Overall, Scientists, teachers, and chemists would probably like the “Particle COntrol in a Quantum World” better than the other article. Children or students who want a brief description with pictures would probably enjoy and get more out of the “Measuring and Manipulating Individual Quantum Systems” better.
Student Led ConferenceHow has your experience in chemistry changed your view on the world around you?
Chemistry is very interesting to me. My experience has changed my view on the world by reminding me that this world is so big and humans are just are small portion of this Earth. I am also on the lookout for any chemicals I can find around me.
Reflect on your preparation for the first exam; what changes (if any) would you make to ensure success in chemistry?
The night before the first exam I prepared a lot. I made very detailed learning targets and made it easy for me to study from. I got a 4, 3, and a 1 on the exam. I will be making up the 3 and the 1 this week. To ensure success in chemistry, I need to continue doing my homework, study for the tests, and working well with my partners in group projects.
What systems do you have in place to connect what we’ve learned in class to the learning targets?
I am the kind of person who wants to understand things. What we have been learning in class is very interesting to me and for the learning targets I try to expand my knowledge on the topic and I try to find a connection the best I can. I also ask a lot of questions to learn more about each target.
Describe your level of confidence in chemistry? Do you feel you will earn the grade you desire? What additional support do you envision to meet that goal?
I would rank my confidence in chemistry at a 7/10. I came up with this number because I understand most of the things we learn in class but it does not translate on my test results which makes me think that I do not know the topic as well as I thought.
What has your progression as a student been like over the course of your time at HTHMA (freshman year versus sophomore year) both academically and socially?
My progression as a student over the course of your time at HTHMA has been very smooth at times and quite difficult. Academically, I have been on top of my work and continue to work very hard to maintain good grades. Socially, I have made very strong relationships with new and old students.
What accomplishment from the semester are you most proud of?
I am very proud of myself this year for working so hard. School is my first priority and I always try my best. One accomplishment from this semester is my writing skills. Before this semester, I had difficulties sitting down and writing an essay. Now I am feeling a little bit more confident in making my writing more sophisticated by using good vocabulary. I also passed my permit test!
Worksheet Answers
If you had to reduce scientific history to one important statement, what would it be? Why?
According to Richard Feynman, if you had to reduce history to one important statement, it would be, “All things are made of atoms. They are everywhere and they constitute everything. Look around you. It is al atoms. Not just the solid things like walls and tables and sofas, but the air in between. And they are there in numbers that you really cannot conceive.
Make an argument to support the statement that each one of us is billions of years old?
One argument to support the statement that each one of us is billions of year old is that we are atomically numerous and so vigorously recycled at death, that a significant number of our atoms have been suggested by many people that we are made of some atoms that are billions of years old.
How can Dalton be considered the father of atomic theory even though the idea of the atom was invented by ancient Greeks?
Dalton can be considered the father of atomic theory even though the idea of the atom was invented by ancient Greeks because Dalton knew that hydrogen was the lightest element, so he gave it an atomic weight of one. He also believed that water consisted of seven parts of oxygen to one of hydrogen. So he gave oxygen an atomic weight of seven.
Describe the experiment that Ernest Rutherford and Hans Geiger did with ionized helium atoms. What did it teach them about the structure of the atom?
The experiment that Ernest Rutherford and Hans Geiger did with ionized helium atoms was the process of firing a fifteen inch shell at a sheet of paper and it rebounded into his lap. This taught the two men that the structure of an atom is mainly consisted of empty space.
In what way is it correct to say that objects never really touch each other?
It is correct to say that objects never really touch each other because Timothy Ferriss explains that, “the negatively charged fields if the two balls repel each other...were it not for their electrical charges they could pass right through each other unscathled.”
Electrons are negatively charged and protons are positively charged. Negative and positive charges attract. According to Niels Bohr, why don’t electrons fall into the nucleus owing to this attraction?
Electrons don’t fall into the nucleus owing to this attraction because “they could occupy certain well-defined orbits.”
What is uncertain in the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle?
The uncertain part of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle is that we can know the path an electron takes as it moves through a space or we can know where it is at a given instant. Any attempt to measure one will unavoidably disturb the other.
Einstein did not believe that God “played dice.” What did he mean by that statement?
Einstein did not believe that God “played dice” which means that he did not believe that God could create a universe in which some things were forever unknowable.
On page 137-138, Nobel Prize winner Ernest Rutherford is described as “not especially brilliant,” “terrible at mathematics,” and “not clever at experimentation.” If that is the case. what are the important characteristics of a good scientist? Who would make the the better scientist: a very small person with average work habits or a very hard working person of average intelligence? Where does creativity fit in? Is it more closely related to intelligence of hard work?
The most important characteristics of a good scientist are patience, willingness and knowing your material. A person with good work ethics and average intelligence would be a better scientist because if you are working hard to understand something better, you can grow intellectually. However, if you do not put in effort, the scientist is not as open to learning more. If you’re creative you can think of ways to understand topics in a different way.
Is it possible to draw and atom to scale? Why or why not? How does this relate to our discussion of planetary scales?
No, it is not possible to draw an atom to scale. You can not do this because it is so small that even with the best equipment you still can not see it. This relates to our discussion of planetary scales because we can’t draw all of our planets to scale because even with the best equipment, it is too big to draw.
Academic Learning Target 1: I can identify and use appropriate equipment to measure an object to the correct number of significant figures.
1.1: Correctly determine the number of significant figures for a given number.
- All non zeros are significant:
3789: 4 sf
9: 1 sf
- Sandwich Rule:
440: 2 sf
308: 3 sf
- Trailing Zeros Rule:
1000.: 4 sf
22.0: 3 sf
- Leading Zeros Rule:
1.2: Correctly round answers to the correct number of significant figures when using mathematical operations.
- 15.6 rounds up, 13.2 rounds down
- Scientific notation is a form of writing numbers
- Length measured in meters, Mass measured in grams, Time measured in seconds, Volume measured in liters
- Scientists use beakers, graduated cylinders, and erlenmeyer flasks to measure
- Kilo(1000), Hecto(1000), Deka(10) (gram, meter, liter) deci(0.1), centi(0.01), milli(0.00)
- 100 m = ___ cm 100. m 3 sig figs (100cm/1m) = 10,000 cm
2.1: Describe the charge, location, and relative size of the particles that make up an atom.
- 3 Subatomic Particles: Protons are positive, Electrons are negative, and Neutrons are neutral
- Location: Protons and Neutrons are found in the center of the atom called the nucleus. Electrons are on the outer shell of the atom; not in the nucleus
- Bohr model, similar to Lewis Dot Diagram, (nucleus in center with neutrons and protons = 1 a.m.u; electrons with specific energy levels) theorized that electrons followed specific pathways around the nucleus called “orbitals”. His model is useful but wrong.
- Protons and Neutrons are about the same size and mass. Each has a mass of 1 a.m.u. (atomic mass unit)
- Electrons are 1/1836 the size of a Proton (effectively 0 a.m.u)
- Atoms are the smallest form of an element to retain those properties of that element
- Those elements are organized by atomic number (# of p’s)
- The number of protons tell you what type of atom you have: the atomic number
- The protons determine what type of atom you have
- The mass of an atom is calculated by adding the number of protons and neutrons: the mass number
- Neutrons (mass - atomic #)
- Positive charge is a Cation and a negative charge is an Antion
- Shell(n): 1st term Row on the periodic table
- Subshell: 2nd term (S, P, D=-1, F) going from least to greatest. 1st shell has one subshell that refers to the shape of the area in which the electron can be located. Designates an energy level within the shell.
- Orbital: Accommodates 2 Electrons (pair). S=1 orbital, D=5 orbitals, P=3 orbitals
- First valence shell has 2 electrons; anything after has 8 electrons
- When the electron has its lowest possible energy, the atom is in its ground state.
- Excitation of the electron by absorbing energy and raises atoms from the ground state to an excited state.
- Quantum of energy in the form of light (photon) is emitted when the electron drops to a lower energy level.
- Emission is process from energy to emitting a photon (light)
- Each element has a discrete emission that can be measured to define their “atomic fingerprint”
- The color of light given off depends on the amount of energy absorbed.
- The larger the atom, the more energy can be absorbed, and more excitation lines are produced.
- Atomic spectra relates to stars because scientists try to identify the elements inside
- Strong nuclear force hold p+ together
- Weak nuclear force determines radioactive decay (gamma, beta-, beta+, electron capture)
Academic Learning Target 3: I can describe the difference between elements, isotopes, and radioactivity.
3.1: Compare and contrast the isotopes in an element.
- Isotope is the same element, different # of Neutrons (mass)
- Carbon average atomic mass is 12.0107
- Important because it determines stability and whether or not it is radioactive
- Nuclear fusion is a nuclear reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei collide at very high speed and join to form a new type of atomic nucleus. This energy that the sun emits is a byproduct of hydrogen and helium. During this process, mass is not conserved because some of the mass of the fusing nuclei is converted to photons.
- Fusion is the process that powers active stars
- The fusion of two nuclei with lower masses than iron generally releases energy
- The fusion of a nuclei is heavier than iron that absorbs energy
- There are extreme astrophysical events that can lead to short periods of fusion with heavier nuclei. This is the process that gives rise to nucleosynthesis, the creation of the heavy elements during events such as supernovae.
- Alpha Emission (releases a helium nucleus and a gamma ray)
- Beta- Emission (changes a neutron to a proton)
- Beta+ Emission (changes a proton to a neutron)
- Electron Capture (changes a proton to a neutron and an electron is pulled into the nucleus)
- Determine what decay would be the next step
- Mass (a.m.u.) multiplied by % abundance
- C12 = 97%
C14 = 0.5 %
12 x .97
13 x .025
14 x 0.005
Average atomic mass = 12.2035