Here are some links I found for reviewing basic chemsitry:

http://mysite.verizon.net/redslime/BiolR/Quiz/chem-1.htm

http://www.quia.com/mc/65539.html

http://www.quia.com/rr/180365.html

http://www.sciencegeek.net/Chemistry/taters/Semester1Review.htm

Please submit answers to the following questions to receive extra credit for watching the movie “Fresh”.

1. In your opinion, what is the main arguement for and against purchasing fresh, organically grown food?

2. In the movie the statement is made that eggs from the free range chickens are nutritionally better than the eggs from the chickens raised in cages. How would you test this statement?

3. Is fertilizer needed to grow food? Why or why not?

4. How were worms used in this movie?

Today we will concentrate on the metathesis reactions laboratory. We will perform the laboratory about copper oxide next week. Also please note that all assignements, including the laboratory notebook, are due on May 1st. No late assignments will be accepted. If you are doing the extra credit worksheets for “Alchemy of Air” please note that the worksheets are also due May 1st.

Syllabus

There is always chemistry to discuss when the word “sustainable” is used. I hope you all will find time to watch this movie so we can discuss it. I will prepare some questions you can answer as an “extra” assignment. Remember, extra assignments benefit C plus and B plus students – providing me with evidence that they may deserve up to one percent more credit thus solving the borderline grade cases.

***************************************************************

FRESH: New Thinking about What We’re Eating
A film by ana Sofia joanes

2 p.m. on March 23 & 5 p.m. on March 24
In the Satellite Room (Room 3416)

This film celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are reinventing our food system. The industrial model of agriculture has led to food contamination, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and widespread obesity. FRESH shows how a new movement is working for healthier, sustainable alternatives for our food and our planet. Among the people featured are Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food and The Omnivore’s Dilemma, and Will Allen, an urban farming activist who received a MacArthur “genius” grant in 2008.  Free. 72 minutes. All are welcome.

This event is part of One Book, One Truman 2011.

Homework Assignments

Please turn in all homework for Chapters 1 to 6, 10, and 11.

From “A Scandal in Bohemia” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle:

I (Watson) could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his process of deduction. “When I hear you give your reasons,” I remarked, “the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good as yours.”

“Quite so,” he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing himself down into an armchair. “You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the steps which lead up from the hall to this room.”

“Frequently”

“How often?”

“Well, some hundreds of times.”

“Then how many are there?”

“How many? I don’t know.”

“Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, because I have both seen and observed.”

When you read this quote think of working in the laboratory. How careful are your observations? How much time do you spend paying attention to detail? Try this – for the next week work at observing – not just seeing. When you see someone try to notice small details – look around and notice what is going on in the world. Look at colors, textures, notice changes.

I’m sad to say that the nomenclature quiz had very low scores so you all will have another chance – I will give this quiz again at 8:35 a.m. tomorrow. I will collect it at 9:05 and we will have twenty minutes to review it before you take the Exam. This will give you a little more practice and will hopefully motivate you to study hard!

The quiz has ten questions where you have to name a formula and ten questions where you have to write the formula from the name. Categories of nomenclature include:

binary compounds
ionic compounds
acids
covalent compounds

Ions with variable oxidations states include iron, cobalt, copper, mercury, tin and lead.

Polyatomics include ammonium, hydroxide, cyanide, thiocyanate, sulfate, sulfite, phosphate, phosphite, nitrate, nitrite, oxalate, acetate, carbonate, hydrogen carbonate, hydrogen sulfate, chromate, dichromate, all of the oxyhalide ions, and permanganate.

See you tomorrow.

I recommend this link to learn more about radioactivity:

United States Nuclear Regulatory Comission: FAQs

Women Chemists in the National Inventors Hall of Fame

Jmol Visualization Page

Cool Molecules: A Molecular Shape Explorer Database

Cool Molecules: A Molecular Shape Explorer Home Page

1. ammonium nitrate NH₄NO₃

Ammonium nitrate is used as fertilizer but it has also been used as an oxidizing agen in explosives, including improvised explosive devices. It is used in instant cold packs since dissolving it in water is an endothermic process.

The worst industrial accident ever was caused by an explosion of ammonium nitrate. Watch this historical video:

2. barium sulfate BaSO₄

Barium sulfate is frequently used clinically as a radiocontrast agen for X-ray imaging. It is because barium has a high atomic mass that it absorbs x-rays. A bleeding ulcer in the stomach will not allow barium to coat over it but healthy tissue will be coated by barium – so the x-ray will show the places where the barium doesn’t stick and reveal the ulcerated tissue. Barium is relatively non-toxic because is is very insoluble. Other salts of barium are toxic.

3. silver nitrate AgNO₃

Silver salts have antiseptic properties. Until the development and widespread use of antibiotics, drops of silver nitrate used to be put into a newborn baby’s eyes at birth to prevent contration of gonorrhea from the mother. This reduces eye infections but side effects were a concern if the dosage was not correct.

4. iron (III) oxide Fe₂O₃

Iron (III) oxide is a major component of common rust – and occurs naturally in the mineral hematite (named for its blood red color). Hematite is the main source of iron for the steel industry.

5. sulfur dioxide SO₂

Sulfur dioxide is a component of smog. Levels of sulfur dioxide have dropped dramatically since the 1970s. It is produced naturally by volcanoes and industrially during the combustion of coal (which typically contains sulfur). It is sometimes used as a preservative for dried apricots and other dried fruit because it has antimicrobial properties.

China currently emits the greatest quantities of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. Sulfur Dioxide in China

One Book, One Truman is a program designed to bring our college together in the reading of a single book. This year’s selection is In Defense of Food, Michael Pollan’s best selling critique of the American food industry and our troubled relationship to what we eat. As part of this year’s program, the Library is sponsoring the following events. All Truman students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend.  For more information, please contact Leone McDermott at lmcdermott@ccc.edu or 773-907-4877.  

Wednesday, March 23, at 2 p.m. in Room 3416
Thursday, March 24, at 5 p.m. in Room 3416
Screenings of the film FRESH, which examines the movement for local, sustainable agriculture

Thursday, March 31, at 2 p.m. in the Library
Discussion of In Defense of Food, moderated by Beth Braun of the Biology Department

Wednesday, April 6, at 2 p.m. in the Library
Student panel presentations on issues concerning food and health

Wednesday, April 13, at 2:00 p.m. in the Library
Presentations by local farmers and others working for sustainable agriculture

Saturday, April 30, from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Bus trip to Milwaukee to tour Growing Power, an urban farm ($10 fee; limit of 56 participants)

1. calcium chloride CaCl₂

 Calcium chloride produces heat when it dissolves in water which makes it great for melting ice in the winter.

2. potassium chloride KCl

 Potassium chloride is a salt substitute for people on low sodium diets.

3. zinc oxide ZnO

Zinc oxide is used in diaper rash cream and on sun sensitive noses.

4. lithium carbonate LiCO₃

Lithium carbonate is used to treat manic episodes in bipolar illness.

5. tin (II) fluoride SnF₂

Sometimes called stannous fluoride, tin (II) fluoride is an active ingredient in some toothpastes. It converts apatite, a calcium mineral that teeth are made of, into fluorapatite and this makes tooth enamel resistant to bacteria.

That’s all for tonight folks!

Some compounds you ought to know about! Nomenclature is easier if you have some ideas about what these chemicals do – so learn this list of ten and then come back for more…

1. calcium carbonate CaCO₃

Calcium carbonate is limestone. It is common in rock, shells of sea creatures, snails, eggshells. It is also in TUMS – an antacid.

2. sodium hypochlorite NaClO

Sodium hypochlorite is commonly known as bleach. It is often used as a disinfectant.

3. sodium hydroxide NaOH

Oven cleaners such as Easy Off contain sodium hydroxide. It dissolves grease (and skin). It is commonly called lye.

4. calcium oxalate CaC₂O₄

Most kidney stones are made of calcium oxalate. Calcium oxalate is also found in many house plants and is very poisonous. Dieffenbachia contains calcium oxalate and can cause swelling of the tongue and even suffocation.

5. lead (II) chromate PbCrO₄

Lead (II) chromate is very insoluble in water and it is bright yellow! Some paints use lead (II) chromate but its use has decreased greatly as we have come to understand how dangerous it is to ingest it. It is a known carcinogen. It used to be used to paint the yellow stripes on the highways but now safer paints are used.

6. hydrochloric acid HCl (aq)

When hydrogen chloride gas is bubbled through water the result is hydrochloric acid – the same acid found in your stomach that aids the digestion of your food.

7. sulfuric acid H₂SO₄

Sulfuric acid is the NUMBER ONE chemical produced in this country and many other developed countries. It is primarily used to dissolve phosphate minerals to make fertilizer. Without it we could not grow as many crops as we do. It is also the acid found in an automobile battery – sometimes called battery acid.

8. potassium nitrate KNO₃

Potassium nitrate is mainly used in fertilizers, rocket propellants and fireworks. It is also found in gun powder. It is the main component in tree stump remover. It is found in some toothpastes to treat sensitive teeth.

9. ammonia NH₃

Ammonia is a gas with a pungent smell. When bubbled through water it forms ammonium hydroxide NH₄OH. Ammonium hydroxide is used as a common household cleaner but when you take off the lid it is the ammonia gas that reaches your nose!

10. silicon dioxide SiO₂

Silicon dioxide is the formula for sand, glass, and quartz. It is the main component of granite rock.

I’ve found a wonderful website that explains the quantum atom in a friendly way step-by-step. I highly recommend it:

Physics 2000: Quantum Atom