Chemblog!

AP: continued our quantum unit with a review (evidence and conclusion) of the Rutherford and Thomson models of the atom. We then discussed various properties of waves, specifically electromagnetic waves: speed, frequency, wavelength, amplitude, intensity, total energy. Then we began to introduce the particle/packet/quantum/photon nature of light. That will lead to the most important equation of this unit: Planck's Equation.
Tomorrow, we have a test AND a lab or labs.

D/G: we started the quantum/wave mechanical model of the atom by discussing the wave nature of the electron, the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, and the Schroedinger equation. The solutions to this equation gave all of the ALLOWED energies that an electron can have in an atom of a given element. We will talk about these allowed energies and the regions (orbitals NOT ORBITS!!!!) in which an electron of a given energy will LIKELY be found.
Tonight, I will post a practice multiple choice test that covers most of what is on Friday's multiple choice test. I will also post the objectives for Thursday's written response exam. Make sure that you go over your last two tests and follow the test-taking advice that I gave in class today and in the past.
Remember, EVIDENCE: whatever was seen, felt, heard, tasted, touched, measured, experienced.
CONCLUSION: what logically accounts for the evidence; what you are logically forced to say as a result of the evidence.
DESCRIPTION: answers WHAT occurred.
EXPLANATION: answers HOW and/or WHY something occurred. In an explanation, keep asking and answering WHY/HOW until you reach an experimental law or fact that has no explanation, but rather, is a definition or generally true statement.
BEFORE you describe or explain something, DRAW AND LABEL a picture of what is occurring. That will help you give a properly detailed answer.
None of this matters if you MISREAD the question, which is why I require you to TAKE PAINS to identify the keywords and circle, underline, and/or highlight them. Many students waste time and receive NO points for writing about what is NOT asked for.

E: We had a practical day of practice for your forthcoming exam. We did mostly electron configuration, orbital diagrams, and excited vs. ground state problems as well as some element vs. compound vs. mixture review. There are two more tests this quarter. The LAB exam will be a multiple choice test given next Tuesday, Nov. 7. Your lab folder must be up to date at that time or you will receive a zero on the lab exam (by the end of the quarter, nobody can afford to lag behind in labs, ever).