Stoichiometry Websites

Stoichiometry (balancing chemical equations) can be hard. However, things that come with difficulty can often reap the greatest rewards. Some examples:

• Hardship: The San Francisco Giants endure over 50 years of heartbreak and losing. Reward: Last night, they overcome this history and win the World Series.
• Hardship: Scandinavian immigrants settle in the Midwestern US. They suffer through famine, disease, freezing temperatures, and death. Reward: They live in, and represent the strength of, a country built on individual freedom and liberty.
• Hardship: You don't get how to balance chemical equations. Reward: Through hard work you figure it out. You have a head start in high school chemistry, and you understand more about chemical equations.

Try these websites below to help you balance chemical equations:

Chem Balancer Element Balancing

Do you get it? Let me know, please.

Independence Day Chemistry

Ever wondered why some fireworks burst one color, while others explode and show a completely different color? What is responsible for this observation? Watch this video (shot this past summer) and also the video embedded below from "Science Friday". These will be good resources for answering the questions for your blog response.



If the video above doesn't work, try this link.

1. Why do some fireworks glow different colors?
   
2. What does this have to do with chemical composition, properties, and electrons?
   
3. (Optional) What are some of your experiences with July 4 Fireworks?
   

Static Electricity!

Below is a picture of Clara (about 2 years ago). She briefly turned her soccer goal into a fort/tent with a blanket on top, and (as you can see) some serious static electricity was produced!

After reading the short article AND contemplating some of your own experiences with static electricity, answer the following questions in a comment on this blog post:

1. What causes "Static Electricity"?
2. What does static electricity have to do with chemistry, atoms, and an atom's structure?

Drawing Ions

Want to know how to draw an ion of Oxygen? I thought you might. Let Imrann and Ben explain. (Sam is the illustrator.)

Defining Atom

Answer the following question in your comment below:
An atom is the smallest particle into which an element can be divided and still be that element. Now that scientists have learned that an atom is made up of even smaller particles (like protons, neutrons, and electrons), is this definition still accurate? Why or why not?
Upon the completion of this blog response, go to Ediscio and complete the "Atoms" cardbox. That way, you shall ace the standard check we have tomorrow. Then, on Thursday, we shall compete against other classes in the famous Human Bohr Model event. More details are to come.

2010 Chemistry Games

Before participating in the 2010 Chem Games, please fill out this survey. Consider it the Opening Ceremonies of this all-important event. This survey is being used to measure the level of technology use in classrooms across South Dakota.

I am challenging all Crazy 8s (and other Earthlings that have access to our blog) to achieve greatness in the 2nd Annual Chem Games. Use the following links to earn (as many points possible) and learn (about the individual elements and their chemical symbols, subatomic particles, and placement on the periodic table). These websites can help reinforce your knowledge of atoms and the periodic table, concepts that we have started (and will continue) to learn about during our chemistry unit.

Here are the links:
Element Flash Cards (set up the game so that it tests you on the 33 elements you are supposed to know) Non-Crazy 8 visitors can view this link to find out what those elements are.
Element Math Games
Periodic Table Activities
Setting the Periodic Table
Element Matching Game
Fun Brain Periodic Table

Feel free to share your high scores, along with the game and its conditions, in the comments section of this post. Post your scores with honesty and integrity. As always, these are virtues required of Crazy 8s and others that visit our blog. Gold medals in the 2010 Chem Games are at stake! Good luck!

Periodic Table Preparation

We have a "Periodic Table" Standard Check on Monday. I'd like you to know the difference between a period and a group, the characteristics of metals, nonmetals, and metalloids and where to find them, and the names of the groups and where they are found. The info from everyone's VoiceThread presentations should be helpful. Here are some other things that might help you prepare:

1. Periodic Table Ediscio Flash Cards: Mark all of these cards for learning at Ediscio.
2. Do the sample standard check embedded below.