Friday !2/13/13

1. Recently, I have completed all my finals (YIPEE!) In this class specifically we just finished Unit 4 of thermodynamics and have moved on to Unit 5 relating to electrons and energy jumps and shells and more fun stuff. In AP English I was crowned and was asked to read my timed reading response which was an accomplishment I am indeed proud of. I'm also officially done with AP Calculus AB and ready to move on to BC and get it over with already!  Lastly, this week (not the week this is actually due for but THIS week) I completed my interviews for the BA/MD program in Alb which is also a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.

2. Well, as my senior year is officially half way over, I have learned to handle break downs in class a little better. Realizing it was OK to struggle a little in my classes was tough at first, then I remembered "Oh yeah, I signed up to take the hardest classes at Mayfield...." Who knows why, but I did, and plot twist: I am surviving! I have also learned that Kingery has a millionaire best friend supposedly, and that Disney no longer makes Ms. Gardner's favorite Goofy coffee cup :(

3. What I plan on doing next is something I am quite excited about...wait for it....SLEEPING IN! After this semester I could not be more ready for this well deserved break. Not only is class out, but my cheer coach is giving us a break also (GASP). So, therefore, I am not yet ready to even think about what my classes will be like next semester and what my teachers are devising next. However I can think about Christmas, since it is 6 days away, and eating all these goodies I have successfully collected thus far :)  

* A CHEMISTREE 

http://www.ontario.k12.or.us/index.php?id=1692

Chocolate gum?

Solubility is the property of a solid, liquid, or gas able to dissolve in a solute. Solvation is the process of the disassociation of the attraction between molecules of a solvent. In the Sticky Situation: Chewing Gum and Solubility lab we tested the solubility of various components of chewing gum. We first tested the results of water and sugar mixture, water and oil, and sugar and oil. After observing the reactions we then tested sugar coated gum in water and oil. The sugar coating dissolved in the water, but not much change was observed in the oil. Finally, we tested the chewing gum with a Hershey's chocolate kiss. This was surprising because our saliva didn't disassociate the gum, but an ingredient in the chocolate did; the gum seemed to dissolve in the "sea of chocolate" in our mouths.

This lab ultimately tested the intermolecular forces in the gum. Intermolecular forces are the attractions or repulsive forces between neighboring atoms in a substance. In solvation, the dissassociation of the molecules requires more energy if the intermolecular forces are stronger. Stronger intermolecular forces occur when the substances aren't similar. For example, the sugar dissolved in the water because both substances were polar. This idea of "like dissolves like" is introduced as a connection between intermolecular forces and solubility.

http://newsletter.schoolbox.com/2011/01/16/delicious-sensory-writing-with-hersheys-kisses/

Friday 11/1/13

1. Here we are yet again writing about the last couple of weeks. I'd like to think of this week as the "calm before the storm" as we make our way to Mayfield Cruces week. However it was anything but calm. I have completed most of the worst chapter in calculus AB: the dreaded chapter 5. I've also completed poem analyses in AP English and also basically the gas unit in here. Not to mention all the planning for the parade tomorrow and my first submission of the Common Application!

2. You know what they say, "You learn something new everyday." I've learned that chocolate and gum don't mix well. I've also learned that my addiction to Starbucks isn't going away any time soon. Life changing facts I learn at school, I know. Besides all the gas stuff, of course.

3. I plan to conquer the mountain of homework you just assigned us today...(hence getting the easy stuff out of the way). I also plan to read some of the new book we were given in English, the load of Calc homework, study for the many tests to come, and prepare for next week (eek). Oh, and also eat some (LOTS) of this leftover Halloween candy :)

 
http://newsnewmexico.blogspot.com/2010_10_08_archive.html

Friday 10/18

Well last friday was the end of a short week (thankfully). I have completed my Common Application essay finally, the Hamlet essay in Comer's, the derivative chapter in calculus, and have started Unit 3 in this class- gas laws (dun dun dun). Personally, Gas Laws aren't my favorite. But we will quickly go through this chapter like all the rest so I suppose I'll survive.

I've learned about gas laws obviously. I also learned that I'm a bigger nerd than I thought in my AP English class; I was crowned (with a paper crown) and was asked to read my analysis on a poem. Yes it is a big accomplishment OK. As always, I'm learning how important time management really is, especially senior year.

I plan on finishing Unit 3 as fast as possible and moving on to the next exciting concept in the AP chemistry world. I also plan to start a new book in honors English, begin another essay in AP English, and finish chapter 5 in calculus. I'm also planning on filling in details of the MHS LCHS parade and spirit week in student gov, learning a routine for the assembly, and also finishing touches to the bonfire plans. Oh and can't forget the parliamentary training for the newlings of NHS tomorrow and Tuesday! I guess you could say I'm a little bust this time of year...

http://librarygrits.blogspot.com/2010/11/little-miss-busy.html

The Q's

Completion check list for the week: Determining actual percentage of H2O2 in a drugstore bottle of hydrogen peroxide lab, unit 2, more quizzes, more homework, prep for the test tomorrow, the usual.

Last week was definitely one of the most chaotic of the year (homecoming). Despite the craziness with cheer and SGA, I managed to learn a thing or two about redox reactions. Basically redox reactions include oxidation and reduction- a change in oxidation numbers. I also learned that patience does come a long way when it comes to learning new things (working on it).

Most importantly I plan on not failing the test on unit 2 tomorrow. I also plan on decorating the school for pink week bright and early tomorrow morning. This is a short week with fall break around the corner, but my teachers really don't care. I am writing my Hamlet essay, AP English essays, calculus test, finishing college applications, and of course continuation in chemistry and moving on to unit 3 this week. 

http://sebreg.deviantart.com/art/You-Just-Need-Coffee-334631370

Determination of an Activity Series

 

The purpose of this lab was to determine the oxidation potential of different metals with small scale chemical reaction activity series (basically finding which is more active). The results concluded that the different metals tested (Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu) were not equally active; Magnesium was the most active with four total reactions and a reduction potential of -2.37V, Zinc came in second with three reactions and -0.76 V potential, and Iron (2.87 V) and Copper (0.34 V)  tied for third with 2 reactions. The most reactive to the least seemed to have a connection towards the charge of the reduction potential. The most active, Mg, had the lowest potential while the least active metals had the highest potentials. This is because the negatively charged potentials need electrons. All of these reactions were single replacement and redox reactions. Redox reactions, or oxidation reduction reactions, involve the transfer of electrons between atoms and a change in the oxidation state. A single replacement reaction is when one element is replaced by another. Single replacement reactions are also redox reactions because the transfer of electrons occur with the transfer of elements.

Friday 9/20/13

1. Well this past week has been stressful to say the least. But I am happy to say I have completed the intimidating cation and anion lab along with the rest of the class. I have also completed a quiz, and yet another lab (surprise surprise). So total that makes 11 labs... yay us!
2. It's a proven fact that you learn something new every day. That means a lot of new facts have entered my brain, but the question is which ones stayed? I guess it could be the ways of determining molarity with the titration lab, how to determine net ionic equations, more particle diagrams, and most importantly: to start bringing lab clothes every day :)
3. I believe our class is planning on catching up to our set schedule (hopefully). And also the dreaded ending to Unit 2.. meaning another test... something all of us look forward to. And more than likely many more labs and particle diagrams. YAY science.



http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/p/keep-calm-and-calculate-moles/

(our future t-shirts)