| Chem 109 |
General Chemistry |
Summer 2002 |
| Lecture Notes:: 3 June |
© R. Paselk 2002 |
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Introduction to General Chemistry (Chem 109)
Overview:
- Go over the Syllabus, Lecture
Schedule, and Lab
Schedule. Note grading, lab attendance, and quiz/examination
policies. With large classes like Chem 109 I generally use the
high score (total points) to normalize the scores - that is I
call it 100%. Cut-offs are then 90% for an A-, 80% for a B-,
65% for a C-, and 50% for a D. (Since summer enrollments are
too low to assure good statistics, I will also compare to previous
classes to determine the appropriate norm.) Remember that a "D"
is a passing grade, and may be all your major requires,
however, a C- is necessary to proceed on to Chem 110 or Chem
328, and may be necessary in other instances as well.
- As many of you know, Chemistry has a reputation as an elimination
course - this is not a point of pride, nor is it intentional
on the part of the Chemistry Department. Many of you will find
chemistry very challenging. This is in part because it requires
a variety of mental skills for success: memorization/language
acquisition (a first semester chem course routinely requires
the mastery of more new vocabulary than a first semester foreign
language course), mastery of elementary algebra, reading/interpretation,
problem solving, abstract reasoning, visualization, observation,
etc. As a result failure rates in introductory chemistry classes
tend to be high. With this in mind expect to work hard
in Chem 109.
How to Study:
- Most of what you will need to know will be covered in lecture
- so it is very important to attend lectures and take good notes.
(The web notes may be helpful here, but should not be considered
a substitute. Rather, use them to flesh out your notes to see
if you have missed material etc.)
- In previous Chem 109 classes I have noted an apparent
correspondence between attendance and grades. Do not assume that
the web notes will substitute for attendance - most studnets
need to come to lecture to succeed in this course!
- The textbook is meant as a supplement and a source of problems,
examples etc. You may find the author more understandable or
more compatible with your style than me, so read the chapters.
You are responsible for the materials in
the text unless told otherwise!
- You should do as many of the end of chapter exercises etc.
in your text as it takes to become confident of your grasp of
chemistry.
- Study Time/Study Skills:
- Keep in mind that most students can only study new
material for about 15 - 20 minutes without a break (even the
best can usually only go for 45 min). Even a few minutes break
will usually help.
- Want to maximize lecture efficiency since most of material
will be covered in lecture. Three traditional suggestions:
- Review the last lecture's materials just before lecture to
get your mind on track so you don't "lose" the first
few minutes
- Read over your notes from lecture as soon as you can, annotating
them with things you remember but missed etc.
- At the earliest opportunity, rewrite you notes with the aid
of the on-line notes and/or your text to make an effective set
of study notes.
- Look ahead at the material to be covered, then in lecture
"think ahead of the lecturer" and see if your right!
That is, try and anticipate what is to be covered. This will
make the lecture more entertaining and engaging and thus a better
learning experience. It is one of the main characteristics shared
by top professionals in all fields as well as successful graduate
students when listening to oral presentations.
- Reward yourself for hard work - take a break to watch a
favorite show, play a short computer game, eat a favorite
treat etc.
- Take off at least one day for fun - guilt free (after all
your Chemistry Professor told you to, so I guess its kind
of an assignment [you know what kind of reputations they have
as hard-ass types).
- Notice that much of this will be more effective if your carefully
schedule your time.
About Me: My degree and formal
training is in Biochemistry and Biophysics, I've been teaching
Biochemistry in the CSU since 1974. I've also taught Clinical
chemistry (what they test your blood for at the hospital and what
it means), Environmental chemistry, Toxicology, and Chemical instrumentation.
I have a strong background in history of science and scientific
instruments (check out my web museums linked to my home page).
Why Chemistry is often considered the "central
science." Examples.
What is Chemistry?
Chemistry is the study of matter and its transformations.
- "Classical" chemistry involves mostly electron
transfers and/or interactions of charges (electron and nuclear).
As we'll see only some electrons in atoms are involved - the
outer or valence electrons of atoms.
- Nuclear chemistry is an extension of chemistry where nuclei
are transformed changing one kind of atom (element or isotope)
to another. This is a completely separate realm of phenomena,
largely unimportant in everyday life (unless you work at a nuclear
power plant!).
More specifically, chemistry is the scientific study
of matter. So what do we mean by science? Two common "definitions":
- The body of knowledge and rules/laws/theories we have discovered
regarding the natural world.
- The method of discovery and confirmation used by scientists.
Classically we describe this process as the "Scientific
Method" summarized in the steps below:
- Identify a problem based on initial observations
- Make a hypothesis (a tentative, testable, explanation of
the observations)
- Collect data via planned Observations and/or Experiments
("asking nature a question")
- "Clean" simple experiments vs. statistical inference
- Controls - everything the same except the variable of interest.
© R A Paselk
Last modified 3 June 2002
