Measurement Test

We had our measurement exam. The test went over pretty well, even though there was a lot more long calculation problems on it than I anticipated. I believe I fixed problems that I had on the quiz. I'm still not looking forward to Significant Figures for the rest of the year, though. The one thing I noticed on the test was the question asking if atoms could be split. I of course said no for the sake of what we learned, but I do know it is possible to split an atom. I found an interesting article on scientists using quantum mechanics to split atoms. Quantum mechanics is the use of particle theory and physics to study the quantum (microscopic particle) world. Check it out here.

Dimensional Analysis

Dimensional analysis is a technique of converting units that may not be within the same unit system. It is not as hard of a concept as the name makes it out to be. All the technique is taking your original value then multiplying it by a ratio that relates the original unit to a new unit and so on. In order to clear the original unit the unit must be placed indirectly in two separate ratios. Click here for more help understanding dimensional analysis. It might help.

http://lccmiddleschoolnews.blogspot.com/2013/11/science-dimensional-analysis.html

We will be using this formula for our recipe project due Friday. It's going to take more research because we are going to need to convert cups and teaspoons to metric. We haven't really learned what the proportion of a cup is to metric, or even what unit it would be in. I found this chart which might help a bit. Click here and it will make your project that much easier.

First Matter Quiz

Today we took a quiz over forms of matter and significant numbers. It was an easy test, but I personally strongly dislike significant numbers. The process defeats the purpose of all rounding rules I have ever learned. It makes no sense to me why this system would be used. I understand that it is supposed to help with accuracy, but some of the rules call for very inaccurate number values.

  http://apchemcyhs.wikispaces.com/Uncertainty+and+Significant+Figures

The other part of the test was the difference between chemical and physical process and characteristics. I attached a quiz here for you guys to test your knowledge on chemical and physical changes. Good Luck! 

Aspirin Synthesis

My partner and I are unfortunately not able to participate in the synthesis of Aspirin. We were given a very difficult and unfair pre-lab question which nobody answered correctly. So instead of performing the experiment I read so much about, I will just have to receive data from other students who were given a less difficult lab question. I was very interested in watching the crystallization of this reaction. The salicylic acid and acetic anhydride would mix and sulfuric acid would act as a catalyst to begin the reaction.

                                            Crystallized Aspirin                                                               http://asiaclinic-thailand.com/clinical-trials/crystal-asprin.html

                                    Cold Water bath to create solid crystals

                                  https://aspirin411.wordpress.com/experiment-details/observations/crystallization/
The link under the second picture will give a more detailed history and description of aspirin.

Finishing Up Radioactivity

We finished off the Atomic Structure and Radioactivity unit today. The unit was concluded with a unit exam composed of 36 questions. The test was very easy except for one single problem: how many alpha emissions would it take for 238/92 U to decay into 208/82 Pb. The answer was either 2,4,6,9 or none. (Please comment what you think the answer is, just curious). The test did have a rather large amount of questions over radioactive decay. I didn't mind being that I actually think radioactive decay is very interesting. Check out this link to learn more on alpha and beta decay: here. Can't wait to see what this next unit has in-store for us.

Half Life

All radioactive elements are subject to devolve into an element of less protons and atomic mass. The amount of time it takes s for half of a sample to devolve is called a half life. Some elements can take numbers of years or centuries to decompose while others can in a matter of seconds. For example, carbon 14's half life is 5730 years. The half life of an isotope can be expressed though a basic exponential algorithm.

http://www.coolmath.com/algebra/17-exponentials-logarithms/13-radioactive-decay-decibel-levels-01

Elements with half lives can be applicable to many functions that we use in our world. It's amazing to think about all that these simple particles can actually accomplish.

Isotopes

      One of the flaws in Dalton's five points about chemistry is that all atoms of a single element are identical. The number of protons in the nucleus will be the same, but the number of neutrons can vary among atoms of the same element. The various amounts of neutrons in the nucleus, which have a neutral charge, create various isotopes of an element. These isotopes will also vary in mass as well as neutrons.

                                                http://www.ducksters.com/science/chemistry/isotopes.php
       To name an isotope, you must use isotope notion. It displays the symbol of the element, the mass number (sum of protons and neutrons) on the upper left, and the atomic number (number of protons) on the bottom left.

http://thechemguys.blogspot.com/2011/04/april-18-atomic-mass-and-isotopes.html

Dalton's Atomic Theory

Composed over two centuries ago, was the first theory to what makes up everything around us. The man behind this was John Dalton. Even though Dalton's theory contains a few flaws, it is the basis of modern chemistry.

His theory was made into five points:

1. All elements are made up of atoms, which is still known to be a true statement.
2. All atoms of a single element are identical, which has been proven false with the discovery of isotopes.
3. Atoms of different elements are different, which is still true.
4. Compounds are made up of different elements, which is also true.
5. Atoms are indivisible and aren't created nor destroyed. Atoms can be divisible since subatomic particles such as the quark have been discovered. However, atoms still must abide to the law of conservation of matter, making the second part of the statement true.

His work has lead others to further his discovery and evolve the expanding universe of chemistry. 

Evolving Theories

Final Thought on Nomenclature

Nomenclature has been a short, yet valuable learning experience. This subject has set the foundation for the rest of chemistry. It has introduced me into basic relationships among ions and polyatomic ions. It is also very interesting to me how electrons can be shared between different forms of elements such as metals and non-metals.

First Thoughts on Nomenclature

It has been basic knowledge to me all my life that the elements react together and in multiple different ways. However, the fact that all elements must be made into an ion in order to react with other elements blew my mind. I was introduced into a state of an element that was completely foreign to me.
Not only was this concept new to me, it caused me to understand all new possibilities that chemistry would open to me through the coming year.