We watched a video in Chemistry class yesterday, called "The Elements." I found it very interesting. It gave a history of some of the elements, and explained some advances in chemistry. I liked how it focused on one element at a time and gave interesting facts about each. I found it thoroughly enjoyable. There was nothing I disliked about it.
My three favorite elements are silicon (because it is used in electronics), gold, and neodymium (because it is used to make very powerful magnets). My three least favorite elements are arsenic (because it is poisonous), uranium, and plutonium (because they are used in atomic bombs).
Friday, October 21, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
FSA Format
F=S=A is a way to show work while using a formula. It is short for Formula=Substitute=Answer. Here is an example of FSA in action:
Volume=Length x Width x Height= 5.15cm x 4.23cm x 2.36cm = 51.4 mL
I feel that FSA is a good way to organize work and easily figure out what to do next while solving a complex problem.
Volume=Length x Width x Height= 5.15cm x 4.23cm x 2.36cm = 51.4 mL
I feel that FSA is a good way to organize work and easily figure out what to do next while solving a complex problem.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
John Dalton's 5 Postulates of Atomic Theory
1. Elements are made of tiny particles called atoms.
I think this is true, because atoms are the building blocks of the universe; they can combine in many ways to form all the compounds in the universe.
2. All atoms of a given element are identical.
I think this is true, because the atoms must be identical to have identical properties.
3. Atoms cannot be split, created, or destroyed.
I think this is not true, because one of the greatest scientific advances of the last century was when we split the atom, leading to the creation of nuclear energy and the atomic bomb. However, it is true that atoms cannot be created or destroyed.
4. Atoms of different elements combine in simple whole-number ratios to form chemical compounds.
I think this is true, because the atoms bond together to form compounds. For example, water is H2O (2 hydrogen for every 1 oxygen).
A chemical reaction is a rearrangement of atoms.
I think this is true, because in a chemical reaction, molecules split and recombine to form new substances.
I think this is true, because atoms are the building blocks of the universe; they can combine in many ways to form all the compounds in the universe.
2. All atoms of a given element are identical.
I think this is true, because the atoms must be identical to have identical properties.
3. Atoms cannot be split, created, or destroyed.
I think this is not true, because one of the greatest scientific advances of the last century was when we split the atom, leading to the creation of nuclear energy and the atomic bomb. However, it is true that atoms cannot be created or destroyed.
4. Atoms of different elements combine in simple whole-number ratios to form chemical compounds.
I think this is true, because the atoms bond together to form compounds. For example, water is H2O (2 hydrogen for every 1 oxygen).
A chemical reaction is a rearrangement of atoms.
I think this is true, because in a chemical reaction, molecules split and recombine to form new substances.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Hello World!
Hello world! My name is Derek, and this is my blog for Mr. Olson's awesome chemistry class.
A little bit about myself: As I said, my name is Derek, and I am in Mr. Olson's chemistry class. I am a sophomore in high school. Science is my favorite school subject. My favorite type of science is biology, but chemistry is a pretty close second. When I grow up, I hope to go to Stanford University, and work at a biotechnology company (specifically Genentech in South San Francisco).
Yesterday, we did a very interesting lab. We mixed chemicals in a plastic bag, and observed what happened. The chemicals we used were table salt, road salt (used to melt ice on roads), baking soda, citric acid (present in many soft drinks), and cabbage juice. The reactions were very interesting. One of them turned hot, and another turned cold. It's strange to think that fairly common household products can react like that.
I read in interesting article in ScienceNews today. It was (to be continued...)
A little bit about myself: As I said, my name is Derek, and I am in Mr. Olson's chemistry class. I am a sophomore in high school. Science is my favorite school subject. My favorite type of science is biology, but chemistry is a pretty close second. When I grow up, I hope to go to Stanford University, and work at a biotechnology company (specifically Genentech in South San Francisco).
Yesterday, we did a very interesting lab. We mixed chemicals in a plastic bag, and observed what happened. The chemicals we used were table salt, road salt (used to melt ice on roads), baking soda, citric acid (present in many soft drinks), and cabbage juice. The reactions were very interesting. One of them turned hot, and another turned cold. It's strange to think that fairly common household products can react like that.
I read in interesting article in ScienceNews today. It was (to be continued...)
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