Thursday, March 26, 2009

Unit 12- Waves

In this unit we take a look at a phenomenon in which energy is transferred from one place to another without an accompanying transfer of mass. The energy is carried by WAVES. Even though waves have no mass, we can often detect their movement by the disturbance they create in matter, weather it is waves on water, seismic waves moving the ground during an earthquake, or the vibration set up in our ear drums in response to sound waves. We will study the properties and characteristics of waves.

SPS9. Students will investigate the properties of waves.
a. Recognize that all waves transfer energy.
b. Relate frequency and wavelength to the energy of different kinds of electromagnetic waves and mechanical waves.
c. Compare and contrast the characteristics of electromagnetic and mechanical (sound) waves.
d. Relate the speed of sound to different mediums.
e. Explain the Doppler Effect in terms of everyday interactions.

Specific Assignments:

Assignment 1: As an introduction to the world of waves, carefully watch the following video. As you watch, take notes and complete the vocabulary worksheet (click here to see vocabulary worksheet). Pause the video as needed to give yourself time to write down definitions or an explanation. Afterwords, be prepared to discuss your answers with the class.



Assignment 2: Mini-lecture -- Waves and their properties. This lecture compares and contrasts the characteristics of mechanical vs. electromagnetic waves and transverse vs. longitudinal waves. This information is also summarized in the following short videos.





Assignment 3: Apply what you have learned about waves so far to complete questions 1 through 7 of the Waves - worksheet (click here to see Waves worksheet). Ask for help if you still have difficulty answering a question or understanding a concept.

Assignement4: Mini-lecture -- Reflection, Refraction, and Diffraction. Continue to fill-in the vocabulary worksheet as we go and then, afterwords, complete question 8 of the Waves Worksheet.

Assignment 5: Wave Interference - mini-lecture and class discussion -- Take notes.

Click here to see power point version of this mini-lecture.

Assignment 6: Watch Video below to review The Doppler Effect. Afterwords, complete any unfinished parts of the vocabulary worksheet and the remaining questions on the Waves Worksheet.



Quiz: Waves. The quiz will include all the characteristics and properties we studies in the lessons above. Prepare for the quiz by reviewing the vocabulary words, waves worksheet, lecture notes and especially the short videos.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Unit 6 -- Compounds and Chemical Reactions

Earlier in the course we learned to classify matter as a "pure substance" or a "mixture." We then discovered that there are two kinds of pure substances -- elements and compounds. In the previous unit, we focused our attention on elements and the structure of the atoms from which they are made. In this unit we learn about compounds, how to predict their formulas, how to calculate their mass, how to name them, and how they participate in chemical reactions.

SPS2b: Predict formulas for stable binary ionic compounds based on balance of charges.

SPS2c: Use IUPAC nomenclature for transition between chemical names and formulas of
binary ionic compounds and binary covalent compounds.

SPSd: Demonstrate the Law of Conservation of Matter in a chemical reaction.

SPS2e: Apply the Law of conservation of Matter by balancing the following types of chemical equations:
  • Synthesis
  • Decomposition
  • Single Replacement
  • Double Replacement

Assignment 1: Introduction to Compounds - mini-lecture. Take notes. Afterwards, complete appropriate sections of the Compounds worksheet. (Click here to see worksheet). Work individually. Turn the completed worksheet in to your instructor.

Click here to view the power point version of the lecture.

Assignment 2: Predicting the Chemical Formula of an Ionic Compound- mini-lecture. The lecture will explain how to use the Periodic Table to predict and write chemical formulas of binary ionic compounds. Take notes. Afterwards, complete the practice problems on the Predicting Formulas of Binary Ionic Compounds worksheet. (Click here to see worksheet)

Click here to view power point version of mini-lecture.

Assignment 3: Naming Binary Ionic and Covalent Compounds- mini-lecture. Afterwards, complete practice problems on the Naming Ionic and Covalent Compounds worksheet to help you apply what you have learned. (Click here to see worksheet)

Click here for power point version of the mini-lecture.

Assignment 4: Chemical Reactions - mini-lecture. Take notes and complete appropriate sections of the Chemical Reactions worksheet as we go. (Click here to see worksheet).

Click here to see power point version of the mini-lecture.

Assignment 5: Energy of Activation and the Rate of Chemical Reactions - mini-lecture. Take notes.

Watch the following short video to review "Energy of Activation."



Quiz: Compounds and Chemical Reactions -- will include what we learned about the basic chemistry of compounds, predicting and writing formulas for compounds, and naming compounds as well as what you learned about the Law of Conservation of Matter and the nature of chemical reactions.