Physical Science 20 - March 21

Today we went over the homework from yesterday.  After that, we then learned how to calculate a percent yield.  This is a value that shows you how much product the reaction actually yielded.  These problems are just like a normal stoichiometry problem but you get an extra piece of information.  This extra piece is usually the actual yield of a product or sometimes the percent yield.  We went through 1 example in class and then students worked on Homework C26.  The notes today were on slides 26-30 in the Stoichiometry powerpoint.

Homework C26 is also the last assignment in Chemistry.  That means we will be having a midterm examination to wrap up the chemistry portion of the course.  Before this however there will be an exam in stoichiometry.  That exam will occur on Monday, March 27.  The midterm exam is scheduled for Thursday, March 30.

Physics 30 - March 20

Today in class we examined uniform circular motion.  This is a type of motion that happens with a constant speed but a changing direction.  A force called the centripetal force causes this type of motion.  We learned how to calculate the centripetal force along with the centripetal acceleration.  We then worked through a couple of examples (#19-22) today and students finished the class by working on Assignment 2.7.  Students will need to know it for the next in class assignment on Wednesday.  It is on Assignments 2.5 to 2.7.

Physical Science 20 - March 20

Happy first day of spring everyone!  Too bad Mother Nature didn't get the memo.

Today in class students learned how to figure out the limiting reactant in a stoichiometry problem.  This is a type of problem where you are given certain amount of each reactant and you have to determine how much product will be formed.  This involves doing stoichiometry twice to figure out how much product will be formed with each amount of reactant.  Whichever ones produces the lower amount of product is therefore your limiting reactant.  It LIMITS the amount of product you can form.  We went through an example that outlined this process and then students had time to work on Homework C25 and #15 and 16 from Homework C24.  Notes today were on slides 16-24 of the Stoichiometry powerpoint.

Physics 30 - March 17

Today in class students were able to work on their lab reports for the lab they did yesterday.  As well, I gave them sometime to work on Assignment 2.6 which was assigned yesterday.  The lab reports are due on Monday.  We will cover our last concept for this unit on Monday.  It is called uniform circular motion.  Have a great weekend everyone.

Physical Science 20 - March 17

Happy St Paddy's Day everyone.  Today students were lucky enough to write their stoichiometry quizzes to start the class.  Afterwards, they finished up the stoichiometry lab by measuring the amount of copper produced as well as the amount of aluminum used.  Students then spent the remainder of class writing their lab reports for this lab.  Those lab reports are due on Monday.  On Monday we will continue on with stoichiometry by learning about limiting reactants.

Physics 30 - March 16

Today we did Lab 2.1 called the Mu of your Shoe.  Students measured the coefficients of static and kinetic friction of their shoes using a spring scale and a pulley.  If you were away today, there is a set of sample data found here that you can use to do the lab.  Tomorrow, students will get an opportunity to do the lab report which will be due Monday.

Physical Science 20 - March 16

Today students worked on the second day of the stoichiometry lab that we started today.  Today students had to collect all of the metal that was produced in the reaction, clean and dry it.  When they finished, students then had time to study for their quiz tomorrow on stoichiometry.  To prepare for that, focus on questions #9-14 on Homework C24.  After students write their quiz tomorrow, they will have time to make their final measurements of the lab and clean up.