Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Wednesday Wrap
AP: we began the all-important method for writing correct Lewis structures. These structures are amazingly practical and accurate as tools for determining molecular geometry, polarity, and even reactivity! We will draw hundreds of these structures and soon you will be able to draw them quickly, clearly, and accurately (with proper geometry, too...with dots of Truth, Justice, and the American way!).
At parties, your popularity will soar!
Honors: we explained the trend in successive ionization energies and we predicted the disproportionate increase in ionization energy based on how many valence electrons an element has.
This led to Matt's PROFOUND observation of the reason why REPRESENTATIVE (non-transition) metal atoms lose ONLY their valence electrons in chemical reactions: non-valence electrons are NOT ONLY closer to the nucleus of a given atom, BUT ALSO non-valence electrons experience a MUCH higher Zeff. Therefore, it would be highly DEstabilizing to the ion to lose strongly attracted electrons; furthermore, removing non-valence electrons requires tremendous energy.
We then almost finished the trends in electron affinity and electronegativity across a period and down a group.
Regents: we took our SECOND periodic table exam...results soon...
then, in lab, we tested the reactivity of alkaline earth metals and Aluminum, a Group 13 metal.
Back to Bonding tomorrow and Friday...
OKAY, here are the results from today's exam: drum roll...class average (NOT including the TWO students who don't study or pay attention and who, if they do not DRASTICALLY, RADICALLY, AND COMPLETELY CHANGE their behavior and practices and take advantage of the ridiculous amounts of extra help available to them, are GUARANTEED going to fail the class and the Regents exam! Very frustrating...oh, back to the rest of the class: 86 ...not bad...not bad at all! A mere four points away (one to two more correct per student) from celebrating and crowing about your performance. I AM impressed with the number of students who are maintaining a 90-plus average and the number of students who have significantly increased their averages thus far this quarter. Keep up the good work!
At parties, your popularity will soar!
Honors: we explained the trend in successive ionization energies and we predicted the disproportionate increase in ionization energy based on how many valence electrons an element has.
This led to Matt's PROFOUND observation of the reason why REPRESENTATIVE (non-transition) metal atoms lose ONLY their valence electrons in chemical reactions: non-valence electrons are NOT ONLY closer to the nucleus of a given atom, BUT ALSO non-valence electrons experience a MUCH higher Zeff. Therefore, it would be highly DEstabilizing to the ion to lose strongly attracted electrons; furthermore, removing non-valence electrons requires tremendous energy.
We then almost finished the trends in electron affinity and electronegativity across a period and down a group.
Regents: we took our SECOND periodic table exam...results soon...
then, in lab, we tested the reactivity of alkaline earth metals and Aluminum, a Group 13 metal.
Back to Bonding tomorrow and Friday...
OKAY, here are the results from today's exam: drum roll...class average (NOT including the TWO students who don't study or pay attention and who, if they do not DRASTICALLY, RADICALLY, AND COMPLETELY CHANGE their behavior and practices and take advantage of the ridiculous amounts of extra help available to them, are GUARANTEED going to fail the class and the Regents exam! Very frustrating...oh, back to the rest of the class: 86 ...not bad...not bad at all! A mere four points away (one to two more correct per student) from celebrating and crowing about your performance. I AM impressed with the number of students who are maintaining a 90-plus average and the number of students who have significantly increased their averages thus far this quarter. Keep up the good work!
# posted by C @ 6:12 PM 
