MidTerm Review

All students have received their reviews for the midterm and should be completing them and studying them for the exams.

answers will follow

Midterm Exam Schedule

Freshmen Academy Schedule
Tuesday Dec. 15, 2009
1st period exam - 7:55 – 9:40
2nd period - 9:45 – 10:35
3rd period - 10:40 – 11:28

Wednesday Dec. 16, 2009
2nd period exam - 7:55 – 9:40
1st period - 9:45 – 10:35
3rd period - 10:40 – 11:28

Thursday Dec. 17, 2009
3rd period exam - 7:55 – 9:40
1st period - 9:45 – 10:35
2nd period - 10:40 – 11:28

Block Exam Schedule
Tuesday, December 15 – 1st Block and 3rd Block A-Day
Wednesday, December 16 – 1st Block and 3rd Block B-Day
Thursday, December 17 – 2nd Block and 4th Block A-Day
Friday, December 18 – 2nd Block and 4th Block B-Day

Classroom Update:

By now you should easily be able to tell me:
-the number of valence electrons for certain elements
-the names of all of the groups on the periodic table (Alkali Metals, Alkaline Earth Metals, Transition Metals, Inner Transition Metals, Boron Group, Carbon Group, Nitrogen Group, Oxygen Group, Halogens, and Noble Gases)
-Identify if an ion is a cation or an anion and to predict its charge when it becomes these ions; otherwise known as the oxidation number
-Basic naming of compounds.

All of this information is in Chapter 20 in the Physical Science Text

E.Q.'s updated:

# 18: What is the relationship between valence e- and groups?

#19: What are the trends of the Periodic Table based on the number of valence e- and atomic numbers?

#20: Why do metals conduct electricity?

#21: Why do atoms bond?

Miss Hamilton's Notes:

So by now most of us should have learned the following in class on Chapter 17 - Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table:

-Atoms are indivsible and indestructible and are made out of protons, neutrons, and electrons
-Protons are positively charged and are located in the nucleus along with neutrally charged neutrons
-Electrons are located in the electron cloud that surrounds the nucleus of an atom and are negatively charged.
-Atoms are neutral because the positively charged nucleus and negatively charged electron cloud "cancel out" each other
-Protons and Neutrons both equal 1 AMU (atomic mass unit) and therefore have the same mass
-Electrons are much smaller than protons and neutrons (1 electron = 1/2000 proton)
-The nucleus makes up most of the mass, the electron cloud makes up most of the volume
-Atomic number (top of periodic table block) is the number of protons
-Atomic mass (mass, in amu's) of the atom
-Mass number = total # of protons and neutrons (# n = mass # - # p or atomic number)
-# protons = # electrons

E.Q. # 16

Where is the marjority of the mass located in an atom? What are the two subatomic particles that make up this area?

Homework: Assigned 11/2 (monday)

1st and 2nd Period: Atomic Structure Reteaching Worksheet

3rd Period: Review atomic structure

5-6 A: Chapter 17 Vocabulary and "Structure of Atom" worksheet (Ch 17, section 1 Reinforcement)

Coming Up....

These next couple of weeks we are going to spend a lot of time looking at atomic structure and the periodic table. It is very, VERY, VERY important that you learn this informaton for future. This is actually the meat of chemistry. If we can't understand how atoms are made up, then we can't move forward.

The topics will include:
-Structure of an Atom
-Atomic Mass
-Atomic Number
-Isotopes
-Periodic Table (periods and groups)
-Electron Cloud Structure
-Electron Dot Diagrams


We also will be doing an out-of-class project in which you will be assigned an element and have to do a report on that element and present it to the class. This project will be due before Thanksgiving.


As you can see, we have a lot to do... so let's get focused and start getting "PHYSICAL"...(haha get it???)

E.Q. UPDATE #10 - #15

# 10: How do you convert from one metric unit to another?

#11: What is the difference between a substance and a mixture?

#12: How can you describe the difference between chemical and physical changes?

#13: What are the characteristics of solids, liquids, gases, and plasma?

# 14: Describe the phase changes of water.

#15: What are the 3 types of subatomic particles and what are their charges?

You should have all of these in your E.Q. section of your notebook and should be able to answer all of these as well. Writing down the question is only 10% of the work, the rest is answering the question thoughtfully.

Monday Homework (9/28) for Morning Classes:

For homework you should be studying and practicing your metric conversions because you have a quiz on it tomorrow.

Also, make sure you bring your textbook and notebook for a grade.

Remember, a prepared student is a successfull student!

This week 9/28 - 10/2

This week, afternoon and morning classes will start Dimensional Analysis. This is a really big term for metric conversions or changing from one unit to the other.

We will only spend a couple of days on this and then we will move on to "Classification of Matter," Chapter 15 in your textbook. This chapter is broken down into two sections 1) Composition of Matter and 2) Properties of Matter.

We are now going to start getting into the meat and potatoes of the course material and we are going to start moving along at a greater pace.

Sick

Miss Hamilton is sick today, September 24th. I will see you on Friday... I hope.

Scientific Measurements Test Schedule

Morning Classes:
9/23 - Wednesday

Afternoon Classes:
B Day - 9/24 -Thursday

A Day - 9/25 - Friday

Test will cover:
-mm and cm
-graduated cylinder
-triple-beam balance
-accuracy and precision
-density

"Density Questions" Answers

1. Mass
2. Volume
3. Liquid Volume
4. g/cm3
5. 2 g/cm3
6. water is more dense than oil
7. 38.5 g
8. neither
9. neither
10. ruby
11. neither
12. neither
13. opal
14. amber
15. 14g
16. .57 cm3
17. 1.25 cm3
18. 10g
19. 11g
20. 22.7 cm3
21. .545 g
22. 110.1 cm3
23. 178.86 cm3
24. 219.1 g
25. 5.71 cm3
26. 13,944.95 cm3
27. 80.75 cm3
28. 800.8 g

E.Q. #9

How do you calculate density?

Anybody???

Is anybody reading the blog? Please make a comment to this blog so I know.

Homework Assignments for Sep. 16th:

Morning Classes (1st, 2nd, and 3rd):

***Finish Part 4 of your Density Lab- Due Thursday, Sept. 17th at the beginning of class

Afternoon Class (7-8 B Day):

***Finish Density Problems worksheet through #27 - Due Friday, Sept. 18th at the beginning of class

***You will also have a quiz on the density concepts that we covered in class on Wed.

Notes for Density:

Mass- the amount of matter that makes up an object

Volume - the space that an object takes up

Density= mass/volume

*** In class you have been learning how to apply your measuring skills in order to find density. You broke up into three groups. Part 1) Finding the density of irregularly shaped object (large hex nut, small hex nut, cylinder #1, cylinder #2, cylinder #3) Part 2) Finding the density of a single block and then when the block is doubled. Part 3) Finding the density of water. ***

This is an essential part of physical science so let's make sure that we understand how to determine densities of different objects and substance.

E.Q. #9

How do you calculate density?

Volume

Volume of a Liquid – (ml or L) measure with a graduated cylinder, beaker, or flask
- when reading a graduated cylinder you always need to measure to the bottom of the meniscus as shown below



Volume of a Solid (as seen above, left) – (cm3) equation for volume= l x w x h
- cm3 derived from (cm x cm x cm) Exponents are added together to give 3


- Example (as seen above, right): L = 4 cm, W = 2 cm, H = 3 cm
o Volume = 24 cm3


Volumes of an Irregularly Shaped Object – (cm3) volume of solids need to be expressed in units of distance such as cm, m, km, etc.

-Use this method when you are unable to measure an object with the above method.
- Example of this would be if you want to find the volume of a bolt, pencil, keys, etc.
- Start with a graduated cylinder (large enough to fit the object being measured) fill with enough water to cover the object. Read the graduated cylinder and write down how much liquid volume you have before the object is added. Add the object to the graduated cylinder and read the new liquid volume.
- This method is called VOLUME DISPLACEMENT. This is because the object displaces the water.
- Example: (Liquid Volume After, with object, - 33 ml) --- (Liquid Volume Before, without object, - 23 ml) = 10ml
Because 1ml = 1cm3, you can say that the volume of the irregular object has a volume of 10cm3

Week of 9/14 - 9/18

This week we will continue to learn about accuracy and precision by doing/completing the accuracy and precision lab. You then will learn about density (which is why we had to learn about mass and volume first) and then we will participate in the Metric Olympics!!!

After the day of fun-filled, learning activities, you will take a test on:
1) Scientific Measurement (measuring distance in cm and mm, measuring mass in grams with the triple-beam balance, and learning how to read graduated cylinders)
2) Volume (volume of a liquid, volume of a solid, and volume displacement)
3) Accuracy and Precision
4) Density


This will be a closed-note test, but you should be completely fine if you have been doing your work in class. Make sure you ask questions in class, post comments, or come by Tuesday during tutoring time in order to make sure that you are prepared to make that 100 on the test!!!

Happy Measuring!!!

Miss Hamilton

Accuracy vs Precision

Accuracy - refers to the correctness of a measurement

Precision - refers to the reproducability of a measurement (do something over and over again)

Bullseye Example:

Accuracy is hitting the bullseye

Precision is hitting a certain point of the target over and over again

In science, and many other fields, the goal is to be accurate and precise. You want to hit the bullseye over and over again. You want to make that field goal every time you kick that extra point. You want to make that basket every time you line up at the foul line.

E.Q. #8

How do you discern between an accurate measurement and a precise measurement?

Quiz on Friday

All morning classes will have a quiz on the measurement information that we have covered so far in the past couple of days.

Some of us are starting to slip by:

1. Not being prepared for class
2. Having a bad attitude when coming to class
3. Coming to class thinking it is social time

Now is the time to make the change. We are still at a point in the school year where you can easily make a change in your classroom/study/organization habits. Let's get focused and start learning. I shouldn't have to tell you to sit down and be quiet more than once during a class (and currently this is not the case).

Parents, please have a talk with your students about being prepared and on task.

Happy Learning!!!

Miss Hamilton

E.Q. # 7

What is the difference between mass and volume?

E.Q. # 6

Why is it important to have standards of measurement?

Measurements Unit Preview

We will now be moving on to our measurements unit. Beginning with reading a ruler, we will learn how to measure in cm and mm. We will then move on to reading triple-beam balances and graduated cylinders.

After this, we will have a fun lab activity called the Metric Olympics! Students will compete in different activities to test their skills and knowledge of the metric system.

After this we will move onto density and precision vs. accuracy.

Then we will have a test on all of the above.

All of this information is crucial to success in the lessons ahead.

Scientific Method, Controls and Variables, & Graphs Quiz

Students will have a quiz on the Friday, September 4th (morning classes and 5/6 A Day) and on September 8th (7/8 B Day)

This will be open notes so you should be ok if you have been good about keeping up with your notebook and notes.

Happy Studying!!!

Miss Hamilton

Notes on Graphs:

There are three types of graphs:

1) Line Graph- shows relationship in which a change in the independent variable (manipulated by the experimenter) changes the dependent variable (what the experimenter is looking for a response from)
Rules:
*the graph scale should be readable and make sense
*the independent variable will always be on the x axis
*units should be consistent

2) Bar Graph- communicates data through counting; think of this as when you would tally scores or votes. (Example in class was we came up with four food choices for lunch...chicken, pizza, sub, chicken, burger. When we counted them up, food choices were on the x-axis and numbers were on the y-axis)

3) Circle Graph- lists part of a whole; percentages (Example was the "day in the life" students broke their day down into different activities such as sleeping, eating, school...etc and had to assign hours to eat activity to add up to 24 hours. Then, each student was required to create a pie chart out of the data they collected.)

Homework

Read Chapter 1 Section 3 in your textbook and turn in an outline of what you read.

Happy graphing!!!

Miss Hamilton

E.Q.'s so far:

#1 What is lab safety and why is it important?
#2 What are the tools of a scientist?
#3 What are the steps in the scientific method?
#4 How can you distinguish between an independent and a dependent variable?
#5 How can a scientists communicate their data?

Comments on your lab safety unit...

I just wanted to make a quick comment to say how proud I am of you for doing so well on your first test! Keep up the good work and I hope to see high quality work from you the rest of the year.

Let me know if you ever have any concerns.

Miss Hamilton

Notebook Check

All Classes:

I will be conducting a notebook check on Wednesday (5-6 A Day) and Thursday (1st, 2nd 3rd Periods, and 7-8 B Day).

You will be graded on the following points:
1) You have a 3-ring binder
2) You have your 4 labeled dividers (Policies, E.Q.s, Notes, Graded Work)
3) Work that has been completed so far is present in the correct sections

This will be a quiz grade so you need to be serious about getting your notebook ready. The first step for success is being organized and having this notebook will be a step in the right direction as we begin this school year.

Homeword due Friday (8-28-09)

Homework due Friday (1st, 2nd, 3rd Periods):

In section 1, Chapter 1 in your book, define the vocabulary terms (pg 6). You may write these, like normal, on paper or you may use a foldable like I showed you in class. I would prefer you not to type your vocabulary, but if you have to (like if you have horrible hand writing) you need to get a parent/guardian to sign it so that I know you did your own work.

See you tomorrow!

Miss Hamilton

2nd Period and 7-8 B Day

Remember...

2nd Period and 7-8 B Day have their Lab Safety and Equipment Test tomorrow, Friday.

Make sure you study all of the lab safety symbols, lab safety rules, and the equipment that we went over in class.

Happy Studying!!!

Study, Study, Study!!!

Students--- Make sure you study for your Lab Safety and Equipment Test scheduled for either Thursday/Friday. Make sure you study your Lab Safety Guidelines (all of those bullets) and also make sure you study those lab safety signs such as the disposal sign, biohazard sign, safety goggles sign, etc.
Also, study the lab equipment that we went over together in class and make sure you know the purposes and uses of each piece of equipment. Remember... most of these are common sense.

Happy Studying!!!

Next we will be studying the Scientific Method and Graphing.

Lab Safety and Lab Equipment Test

Test Dates:

1st, 2nd 3rd Periods: Thursday/ Friday (we have an assembly on Thursday during some of the classes. If this is the case, then your test will be on Friday, not Thursday)

5-6 A Day: Thursday

7-8 B Day: Friday

Notebook Setup

1) Policies (contains: syllabus, expectations, appropriate practices, hw survey, standards letter, and any other classroom procedure forms)

2) E.Q.'s (you should have two e.q.'s already in this section: #1 What is lab safety and why is it important?... you should have answered this one already #2 What are the tools of a scientist?)

3) Notes ( should have Student Lab Safety Guidelines, Tools of a Scientist, and Lab Equipment worksheet in this section already)

4) Graded Work (you do not have anything for this section yet)


Being organized is the first step to success inside and outside of the classroom!!!

Reminder!!!

Make sure to bring your 3-ring binder, 4 dividers, and paper to class so you can be prepared as we get into the material in our class.

Monday Morning/ 7-8 B Day/ 5-6 A Day Assignment

Create your own lab safety sign:

Choose one of the lab safety rules discussed in class from the "Student Laboratory and Safety Guidelines" handout.

Requirements for safety sign:
1. Your picture must represent only the rule chosen.
2. No words may be used.
3. At least 5 different colors must be used. (black and white do not count as any of the 5)
4. The image (or images combined) must be neat and should take up the majority of the paper.
5. Your name and period must be written on the back of the sign.

Grading Scale:
100= all 5 of the above requirements listed above are met
90= only 4 of the above requirements listed above are met
80= only 3 of the above requirements listed above are met
70= only 1 or 2 of the above requirements listed above are met

Due Dates:
1st, 2nd, 3rd Periods: Tuesday when you arrive in class

Parents and Students

If you need to contact me:

email: juliahamilton@newberry.k12.sc.us
phone: 321-2621 ext. 304

Reminders!!!

Don't forget to bring your notebook, dividers, and paper into class with you on Monday (morning classes) so we can put together notebooks. 5-6 A Day, bring yours on Tuesday and 7-8 B day, bring yours on Wednesday.

Also:
-Monday is picture day so dress well
-9th grade assembly on Monday during HR

Have a great weekend!!!

Miss Hamilton

Morning Classes:
- remember to bring your signed HW Survey Form to class with you
-tomorrow we will begin talking about Lab Safety and Lab Equipment (PS 1.2)
E.Q. #1 What is lab safety and why is it important?


Afternoon Classes:
-Remember to bring your signed Standards Letter and signed Syllabus
-Also, remember to bring your HW Survey signed
- Bring in your signed Expectations and Appropriate Practices sheets if you didn't turn them in already
-next class we will be discussing Lab Safety Guidelines and Lab Equipment (PS 1.2)
E.Q.#1 What is lab safety and why is it important?


See you in class!!!

Miss Hamilton

Welcome to Physical Science!!!

Hope everybody had a wonderful summer and is ready for the school year to begin! During the course of this class you will expand your knowledge of science and how it relates to the physical world around you. Look here for postings of homework assignments, due dates, or announcements.