Topics and Objectives:

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• Chemistry Introduction, Measurement & Mathematics

  • Define Chemistry and understand its place in science.

  • Present steps of the scientific method and be able to distinguish each and explain their components.

  • Use the Metric System versus the English System. Interconvert metric units using prefixes.

  • Evaluate Accuracy & Precision in Measurements (significant figures).

  • Use the Metric System versus the English System. Interconvert metric units using prefixes.

  • Write numbers & do calculations in scientific notation.

  • Evaluate Accuracy & Precision in Measurements (significant figures).

  • Distinguish various types of graphs. Organize data using tables and graphs.

  • Define Chemistry and understand its place in science.

  • Present steps of the scientific method and be able to distinguish each and explain their components.

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• Matter and Change

  • Classify Matter as pure substances versus mixtures and explain the main difference among solutions, suspension, and colloids.

  • Distinguish extensive and intensive Physical properties. Give examples of physical properties.

  • Explain how mixtures can be separate.

  • Distinguish chemical versus physical properties and how this can be observed.

  • Evaluate Accuracy & Precision in Measurements (significant figures).

  • Identify the states of Matter (s, l, g) using kinetic theory.

  • Define phases changes of all states of matter and the energy involved for each.

  • Understand what happens to a substance’s temperature and a system’s energy (heat) during a phase change.

  • Describe the arrangement of molecules and how they change from solid to liquid to gas.

  • Distinguish between evaporation and boiling. How are they the same? How are they different?

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• Atomic Structure / Modern Atomic Theory

  • Explain Atomic History from specific scientists perspectives (Democritus, Dalton, Thomson, Chadwick, Bohr, Rutherford).

  • Understand atomic structure (atomic number, atomic mass, subatomic particles) and be able to define and draw all components. Draw a nuclear symbol for an element.

  • Explain what makes elements unique in properties (e.g. atomic number, mass, valence) and distinguish isotopes.

  • Describe the modern atomic theory in terms of electrons, energy levels, electron cloud, and electron configuration.

  • Analyze what happens to electrons when atoms gain or lose energy?

  • Explain, draw, and/or describe scientific models related to how electrons behave in atoms.

  • Understand when atoms are most stable in terms of electron configuration.

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• Gas Laws

  • Explain the behavior of gases based on the kinetic theory of Gases.

  • Define pressure, volume, moles, and temperature in relation to gases.

  • State and apply Boyle’s law, Charles’s law, and the combined gas law to calculate the relationships between volume, temperature, moles, and pressure.

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• The Periodic Table

  • Explain the history of the Periodic Table including the scientists who contributed to it (Mendeleev, Moseley).

  • Describe the arrangement of the periodic table (periods, groups, periodic law, classes of elements) and its components (atomic mass, atomic number, element symbols).

  • Classify elements into representative groups based on electron configuration for Valence (outer electrons that bond).

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• Chemical Bonding

  • Understand the conditions of stability for atoms and explain why atoms bond.

  • Draw electron dot diagrams for elements 1-20 and for bonded atoms showing a full valence (8).

  • Explain and show how elements become ions (cations and anions).

  • Distinguish ionic bonds from covalent bonds, listing properties of ionic compounds and covalent molecules.

  • Explain covalent bonding in terms of bonds (nonpolar and polar) and molecules (nonpolar & polar).

  • Explain how to determine the charges of atoms that become ions (cations, anions).

  • Show how elements become ions (cations and anions) related to protons and electrons.

  • Distinguish types of compounds and apply the rules for naming and writing formulas for ionic compounds, covalent molecules, and polyatomic ions.

  • Describe metallic bonding and explain metallic properties.

  • Define alloys and give examples.

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• Chemical Reactions

  • Define and incorporate the law of conservation of mass.

  • Analyze components (reactants, products, coefficients) of chemical equations in order to balance them.

  • Understand and calculate quantities using the Mole related to balancing chemical equations.

  • Describe and identify the five types of chemical reactions (synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, and combustion). Give examples of each type.

  • Distinguish Chemical reactions that involve the transfer of electrons (reduction/oxidation reactions) based on the discovery of subatomic particles.

  • Label and identify components of energy relations in chemical reactions (activation energy, endothermic and exothermic energy flow).

  • Recognize and analyze reaction rate and factors that affect it (temperature, surface area, pressure, concentration, stirring, catalysts).

  • Distinguish physical and chemical equilibrium in terms of forward and reverse changes.

  • Explain how equilibrium is shifted when changes in temperature, pressure, or concentration are introduced in a system.

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• Solutions

  • Define "solution," "solute," and "solvent"

  • Explain the three ways substances can dissolve in water

  • Describe the three properties of a solution that can differ from its solute and solvent

  • Explain how the process of solution can be either exothermic or endothermic

  • Give examples of applications of endothermic/exothermic solutions

  • Describe the factors that affect the rates of dissolving

  • Contrast saturated, unsaturated, and supersaturated solutions

  • Describe the factors that affect solubility

  • Define "percent by volume," "percent by mass," and "molarity"

  • Calculate the concentration of solutions

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• Acids and Bases

  • Define "acid" and "base"

  • Describe the general characteristics of acids and bases

  • Explain the process of neutralization

  • Describe the pH scale

  • Give examples of strong and weak acids and bases

  • Describe the particular properties of strong and weak acids

  • Define "electrolyte"

  • Explain the usefulness of electrolytes

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• Carbon Chemistry

  • Use the valence electron structure of carbon to explain its bonding tendencies

  • Give examples of different carbon structures

  • Define "hydrocarbon" and "saturated hydrocarbon/alkane"

  • Describe the features of alkanes

  • Describe the features of unsaturated hydrocarbons

  • Discuss the forms of hydrocarbons found in fossil fuels

  • Apply the general combustion reaction type to the combustion of fossil fuels

  • Discuss the effects of incomplete combustion

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• Nuclear Chemistry

  • Define "radioactivity"

  • Describe the three types of nuclear radiation

  • Summarize the history of the study of radioactivity

  • Describe the effects of nuclear radiation

  • Define "half-life" & solve problems involving the concept of half life

  • Discuss the application of radioactive decay to dating methods

  • Artificial Transmutation of Elements - Explain how one element can be changed into another by bombardment

  • Define Nuclear Fission

  • Describe the forces acting on an atomic nucleus

  • Summarize the history of the study of atomic fission

  • Explain how a nuclear power plant generates electricity

  • Define Nuclear Fusion & discuss the practical obstacles to nuclear fusion as a power source

  • Describe the process by which atomic fusion takes place

  • Explain where the energy from a nuclear fusion reaction comes from

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• Force & Motion

  • Describe how motion is produced (Forces).

  • Explain what is meant by relative motion and factors involved.

  • Distinguish between distance and displacement.

  • Define vector quantities versus scalar quantities and add/subtract them.

  • Distinguish between speed and velocity and know how to calculate both.

  • Describe the three types of speed / velocity.

  • Define and calculate acceleration, acceleration due to gravity, and free fall.

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• Newton's Laws of Motion

  • Explain & recognize Newton’s First Law of Motion, Inertia, as the tendency of matter to resist change in motion.

  • Understand projectile motion as a combination of an initial forward velocity and the downward vertical force of gravity resulting in a curved path.

  • Understand and explain friction [recognizing four kinds of friction] as a force that opposes motion, producing negative acceleration or “deceleration”.

  • Explain & calculate variables of Newton’s Second Law of Motion, f = ma, describing how force, acceleration, and mass are related. Force equals mass times acceleration.

  • Explain & recognize Newton’s Third Law of Motion which states that forces always occur in pairs. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

  • Recognize momentum (mass, speed, direction) in the motion of objects.

  • Calculate Momentum using the Conservation of Momentum.

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• Energy

  • Define and calculate Potential Energy (PE) in terms of gravitational PE, and explain elastic PE.

  • Define and calculate Kinetic Energy (KE) related to the motion of object.

  • Recognize maximum PE, maximum KE, maximum velocity, rest position, and when PE = KE for moving objects.

  • Identify specific forms of energy and how they can be transformed into other forms based on the conservation of Energy.

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• Thermal Energy & Heat

  • Define heat flow direction, temperature, thermal expansion, and specific heat.

  • Calculate / measure heat changes in a system using a calorimeter.

  • Distinguish the three types of heat transfer (radiation, conduction, convection).

  • Explain the difference between thermal insulators and conductors.

  • Define Thermodynamics related to three laws.

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• Work, Power, Simple Machines, Efficiency

  • Define and calculate Work as the force applied to an object over a specific distance (W = f d) in units of joules.

  • Understand how work relates to Potential Energy (mgh) and Kinetic Energy           (½ mv2).

  • Define and calculate Power as the amount of work done per unit of time (P = W/t) in units of Watts.

  • Classify the six simple machines, being able to calculate work done based on effort (force and distance) and resistance (force and distance) and calculating mechanical advantage.

  • Define & calculate efficiency of machines, knowing that real machines are never 100% efficient due to friction.

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• Electric Force, Current, Induction, Conduction

  • Define & explain aspect of electric force (charged ions, forces of attraction & repulsion, Coulomb’s Law, Electric Fields).

  • Understand component of electric current and be able to calculate each related to Ohm’s Law (voltage, current, resistance).

  • Distinguish between induction and conduction related to transfer of charges.

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• Electric Circuits & Electromagnetic Induction

  • Distinguish between static electricity and circuits.

  • Describe, draw, and explain the types of circuits (series, parallel, combination).

  • Recognize practical applications of electric force & circuits (transmission, overloading).

  • Define magnetism, magnetic fields, and electromagnetic induction.

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• Sound Energy - Sound Waves; Speed, Wavelength and Frequency of Sound

  • How are mechanical waves like sound produced, transmitted, and heard?

  • Define the properties of mechanical waves like sound waves (longitudinal, wavelength, amplitude, frequency, speed) and calculate variables.

  • Explain and recognize behaviors of sound waves (Doppler Effect, refraction, reflection, resonance, and diffraction.

  • Distinguish between pure sound, noise, and music. How do musical instruments work? 

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• Light - Electromagnetic Radiation; Dual Nature of Light; Wavelength and Frequency; Reflection and Refraction

  • Define electromagnetic radiation and recognize the relationship between frequency, wavelength, and the speed of light.

  • Describe wave-particle duality and classify associated properties of light (photoelectric effect, reflection, refraction, diffraction, and polarization).

  • Recognize types of reflection of light, the law of reflection, and draw all components of light when it reflects off a reflective surface.

  • Recognize refraction of light, optical density, index of refraction, identifying all components of light as it refracts while travelling through different media.

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• Light & Color - Lenses; Polarization; Human Eye; Color

  • Name the two major types of mirrors and lenses and describe & draw how light is transmitted through them (object, image, focal point).

  • Define polarization and give real life examples of its use.

  • Identify and define the parts of the human eye responsible for vision.

  • Distinguish between primary additive, primary subtractive, and complementary colors of LIGHT. Be able to define how each color is created.

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• Student Project

  • Participate in a project-based, independent study, learning unit as a review of one major concept from 2nd semester.

  • Use class notes, labs, homework, textbook, internet, and other resources to research ideas to create a lab experience based on Motion, Newton’s Laws, Simple Machines, Electricity, Sound, or Light.

  • Submit a report of the project that includes all elements of a formal lab report.