What's going on in class 10/22-11/1

IB Chemistry

Lewis Dot Tutorial that I mentioned in class: http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=GCH6404
We are wrapping up our last review unit- Atomic Structure, Periodicity, and Bonding.  You'll have a group test Thursday 10/25 in class.  Plus, they will have a homework calendar due that day.  This week, we are doing a lab to determine the % silver in sterling silver (an alloy of silver and copper).  You will dissolve the sterling in acid, precipitate the silver as silver chloride, filter the solid out, and then dry and weigh the solid.  It's pretty cool sciencey stuff.  We will vote in class whether or not to count this as a Conclusion/Evaluation IA... you're choice completely.

Next up: Redox.
Starting next week, review will be over and you'll be learning all new stuff.  Yay!  The pace will slow a little bit, but the content will get more difficult.  Redox will last about 3 weeks.

Chemistry

We are diving into the Periodic Table.  This week is all about isotopes and electrons.  By the end of the week, you'll be able to use the Aufbau diagram to write a complete electron configuration which describes the location of all of the electrons in an atom- Quantum Chemistry!  You'll also be able to explain why the periodic table isn't a rectangle.  It's impressive stuff.  There will be an electron configuration quiz Friday 10/26.
Next week we will focus on the Periodic Table and learn about the patterns on the table for reactivity, melting point, atomic size, electronegativity (whoa! big word...), and ionization energy.  Part of this section will be a project- "The Periodic Table of..." where you will make a table of something that interests you.  It's a lot of fun, so stay tuned for details.

This unit will wrap up Nov 7-8, just before parent conferences.