What's going on in class 10/1-10/13

IB Chemistry
We have just finished a big Stoichiometry review and learning about how to write an IA (Internal Assessment).  This week, it's time to do a REAL IA!  Students are using titration to find the %CaCO3 in an eggshell.  I encourage you to all use the IA template (all files are on a wikispace, see link down below).

Next up is Atomic Structure, the Periodic Table, and Bonding.  This unit includes a review of atoms, electron configurations, periodic trends, VSEPR, Lewis structures, polarity... from regular Chem + you'll learn about mass spectrometers, empirical formulas, and how to write concise answers to IB questions.  Cool stuff!

October 11 is the Group 4 Project: A project where students from all disciplines of IB Sciences come together to create experiments and interpret data together.  You will be conducting an experiment out at Dillon Falls along with a group of other students and thinking from a Chemist-perspective.  At the end, you will produce a poster which needs to be up in S-Hall by Tuesday 10/15.  You will be graded on your poster, but also your "Personal Skills" as required by IB.

Chemistry
Right now, we're wrapping up a unit on designing experiments-- Including an experiment on which materials have the fastest cooling rates.  Friday we will be making videos on how to find/write about sources of error.  Get creative.

Next up= States of Matter and Gas Laws.  You'll be reviewing kinetic theory, but also learning how to explain gas behavior using math.  How much does a weather balloon's volume change when it's way up in the atmosphere?  How does a potato gun work?  How does dry ice turn to a gas?