Wednesday September 6th: Today was the first day of Science 10! We started with introductions then played a Jeopardy game to review our skills. The game was difficult because we didn't know how to read many of the words, but even then, the game was fun, and it allowed us to access where we are in our studies. Next, we went through the syllabus. The course is evenly split between its three units. Chemistry, Physics, and Biology. After a short break, we began the Chemistry unit. We learned that Chemistry is the study of chemicals, and that Chemistry is useful in everyday life from food, to medicine, to materials. Next, we learned about the composition of our world. At the top are mixtures. Homogenous mixtures are smooth while heterogeneous mixtures are rough. Mixtures are made from molecules, the fundamental building unit of chemical reactions. Molecules are made from atoms, of which there are 118 elemental types, and atoms are made from protons, electrons, and neutrons. We learned that the weight and number of an atom can be found using a periodic table, and we also learned that the number of protons, electrons, and neutrons relate to an atom's atomic number and weight, which is measured using a special unit, grams per mole (g/mol). For the quiz next class, we will practice the relationship between atomic number, atomic mass, and the number of subatomic particles. We will also remember why Chemistry is important and how it relates to our world.
Friday September 8th: Today was the second class. We started with the promised quiz. We reviewed that mixtures are made from molecule, molecules are made from atoms, and atoms are made from subatomic particles. We were also reminded about the usefulness of Chemistry, and it's all around us in the world. One important fact to be mentioned is that when doing quizes or exams, we should attempt all questions, because even if we get the question wrong, we can learn something. We might even get a chance to get it right by luck! Our first lesson was on states of matter, being solid, liquid, gas, and the aqueous state. We also learned about all six phase changes, which is when the state of matter changes. Then, we reviewed the difference between physical and chemical changes. It's good that we went through this because it will be on our next quiz. Finally, we learned about this website and the resources availible. Please check them out! Next class, we will be working on naming. There'll be a lot to do. Get ready.
Wednesday September 13th: Today we started with our quiz on states of matter and chemical/physical changes. We learned that a chemical change is when the chemical properties of an object changes, like when food is cooked, or when Jesus turned water into wine. Afterwards, we started with naming. We learned that there are two kinds of compounds. Molecular and Ionic. Ionic compounds have a simple two-part naming scheme with "ide" at the end. Molecular compounds also have a two-part naming scheme, but make use of the latin prefixes mono, di, tri, tetra, penta, hexa, hepta, octa, nona, deca, etc. We also learned how to lookup information on a periodic table, as well as lookup complex ions. Finally, we briefly covered acids, bases, and oxidation numbers, but we will cover this topic in more depth at a future time. For the quiz next class, you should work on your naming sheet for practice. You should also be comfortable with using the data book. Oh, by the way, here's the presentation from today, and for those who aren't here yet, here's the practice sheet and quiz.
Friday September 15th: Today we started with a quiz on naming compounds as well as a small section reviewing the periodic table. Everyone got their data book which they should use for reference. Also, everyone needs to get a graphing calculator, the only two legal models which are still being made are the Ti-84 series and FX-9750 series of graphing calculators. After the quiz, we had a lesson on units. We reviewed scientific notation, and common units in Chemistry. Next class there will be a test on basic SI units and unit conversions. By the way, starting next class, I will be tracking late students by the minute, which will be tallied at the end of the year to be dealt with. Get ready.
Wednesday September 20th: Today we started with Stoichiometry. We discussed molar mass, molarity, and conversions between moles and mass. We also talked about mols themselves. Mols being the number of molecules you could count up. We also discussed how when we balance equations, it's like when you balance a recipe, making sure the ratio of ingredients stay the same. Stoich is the most important part of chemistry, if we can get this well, then we're good, if not, we'd be in trouble. We'll be spending quite a few classes on this to practice.
Friday September 22th: We continued with Stoichiometry today. We also discussed concentration and molarity. We learned that there are three different ways to measure concentration. Mass concentration, volume concentration, and molar concentration. Lastly, molarity being mols per litre. We learned that the first thing you want to do when dealing with a stoic problem is to ask yourself, how many moles do we have? We can convert grams to moles using molar mass, molarity to moles if we know the volume. Also, pay attention to excess and limiting reagents. When you balance stoic, we ignore the excess reagents and only focus on the limting reagents since we use up all of them.
Wednesday September 27th: Today we continued to practice Stoichiometry, and we also practiced a lot of application problems. We remembered why it's important to balance equations. We learned that when balancing equations, you should balance the lone terms last, which will make your life easier. While practicing Stoic, we also practice naming and everything else at the same time. Make sure you have a legal graphing calculator. Casio FX-9750 GIII is what I would recommend.
Friday September 29th: Today we continued to practice Stoichiometry, and we also practiced a lot of application problems. We also looked at predicting basic equations, single replacement, double replacement, formation, decomposition, and hydrocarbon combustion. We also talked about percent yields. Sometimes, we don't get everything we expect, in that case, we can compare with what we actually got to get a percentage. Continue to practice finding moles. Make sure to use your formula sheet often. It includes the names of most common chemicals including acids, bases, and complex ions.
Wednesday October 4th: Today we started with Gas Law. We learned about the relationship between mols, temperature, pressure, volume, and gas constant. Then we applied Gas Law to stoich which we continued to practice.
Friday October 6th: Today we practiced for our final exam which will be next class. The final exam will include five questions from your practice booklet. It is a closed book exam. You may not use your notes or smartphone. You may use a scientific or graphing calculator. Please prepare well for next class. This test will be worth 25% of your Science 10 grade.
Wednesday October 11th: Today we completed our final exam. We gave everyone one hour to cram before the test. We will discuss the results and questions next class.
Friday October 13th: Today, we reviewed our chem unit test and we started with Physics. Next class, we will practice kinematic equations, and we will do a rocket launch.
Wednesday October 18th: Today, we started practicing our four main kinematics equations. After which, we briefly discussed Polar and Rectangular coordinates. Finally, we did our rocket launch. Fun!
Friday October 20th: Today, we started practicing polar vs rectangular coordinates as well as learned to use our calculators, including switching from polar to rectangular modes. After that, we practiced a few projectile problems. We will continue practicing next class.
Wednesday October 25th: Today, we started with continuing to practice Kinematics as well as some projectile problems. Afterwards, we went through lab safety.
Friday October 27th: I was not here today because of a medical emergency. Tanya went through important concepts such as speed, velocity, sig-digs, and graphing.
Wednesday November 1st: Today, we continued to practice Kinematics. We put a strong focus on application and understanding directions.
Friday November 3rd: Today, we completed our acid base lab. Good work to everyone who tried their best. We learned how to prepare solutions and basic lab skills like organizing data and developing procedures.
Wednesday November 8th: Today, we continued practicing Kinematics problems. Your Kinematics exam will be next Friday. Have a great long weekend. BTW, here are the practice problems from today.
Wednesday November 15th: Today, we reviewed for the exam on Friday. Download the practice files here.
Friday November 17th: Today, we did our unit test for Kinematics. If you missed the test. It can be made up at the end of the semester.
Wednesday November 22nd: Today, we went through the questions on the unit test. Then we started energy.
Friday November 24th: Today, we practiced two worksheets on energy.
Wednesday November 29th: Today, we started with the Bill Nye video on Energy, and completed a worksheet. After, we started our research project on a topic in Energy.
Friday December 1st: Today, we had time to do our research project. Afterwards, we did some practice on mechnical energy.
Friday December 9th: Today, we practiced these problems.
Wednesday December 6th: Today, we handed in our research projects and continued to practice energy. Your energy final will be on December 20th. We also practiced some practice problems.
Wednesday December 13th: Today, we looksed at heat engines and continued to practice these problems.
Friday December 15th: Today, we did more practice problems.
Wednesday December 20th: Today, we is our energy test. Results will be posted here. Have a good winter vacation. Update: The results of the test are as follows: AR 98, FW 2, JY 96, JG 73, KL 65, LH 90, OC 8, OC 2, PW 39, SR 96, WC: 41, ZY: 41
Wednesday January 10th: Today, we started bio and watched episode 1 of the trials of life. We learned about the strategies organisms use to survice and reproduce. Afterwards, we did a personal reflection about this topic.
Wednesday January 17th: Today, we watched episode 2 of the Trials of Life and examined the role of interspecies and intraspecies competition, and how it realtes to evolution.
Friday January 19th: Today, we watched episode 3 and 4 of the trials of life and examined adaptations.
Wednesday January 24th: Today, we watched episode 6 of the trials of life and examined biomes and ecosystems.
Friday January 26th: Today, we watched the final episode of the trials of life.
Wednesday January 31st: Today, we watched an Inconveniant Truth.
Friday February 2nd: Today, we reviewed for the test on Wednesday.
Wednesday February 6th: Today, we did the unit test.
Friday February 9th: Today, we started the next unit with an introduction about the definition of life.
Wednesday February 14th: Today, we discussed Taxonomy,
Friday February 16th: Today, we studied the parts of the cell.
Wednesday February 21st: Today, we studied the parts of the leaf and all about plants. After, we talked about osmosis.
Friday February 23rd: Today, we studied animal classes and explored animal biologies.
Wednesday February 28: Today, we explored human biological systems, the GI system and Circulatory System.
Friday March 1: Today, we reviewed human biological systems, and explored the nervous system.
Wednesday March 6: Today, we examined the immune system.
Friday March 8: Today, we examined the reproductive system.
Wednesday March 13: Today, we examined applications of genetic engineering.
Friday March 15: Today, we studied for the test next wednesday.
March 20: Today is our Bio Test
March 22: Today we discussed the scientific method and the philosophy of science. Afterwards, we watched episode 1 of Netflix 3 Bodies.
April 10: Today we reviewed the results of our test, then we did learning interviews following a survey.
April 12: Today we started reviewing for our Final Exam which will be on June 19th. We reviewed chemical properties and states of matter.