Monday, May 22, 2023

Chemistry Resources

note: If any of the links no longer work, please send me an email and let me know.

Module 1 (Introduction):
- significant figures and conversions (explanations and videos)
- unit conversion worksheets with answer keys
- significant figures worksheets with answer keys
- video on dimensional analysis, metric units, scientific notation, and significant figures
- Celsius and Fahrenheit worksheet with answer key
- terms and definitions for Module 1

Module 2 (Conservation of Mass, Naming Compounds, Ionic and Covalent):
- physical versus chemical changes
- law of conservation of mass
- law of conservation of mass and law of multiple proportions worksheet with answer key
- video on naming compounds
- ionic versus covalent worksheet with answer key
- terms and definitions for Module 2

Module 3 (Mass Numbers, Isotopes, Frequency, Wavelength, Energy, and Electron Configurations):
- historical models of the atom
- mass numbers worksheet with answer key
- frequency, wavelength, and energy worksheet with answer key
- video on electron configurations
- electron configurations worksheet with answer key
- terms and definitions for Module 3

Module 4 (Valence Electrons, Ionic Compounds, Periodic Table Trends, Lewis Structures):
- worksheet on valence electrons with answer key
- video on writing formulas
- writing formulas for ionic compounds worksheets with answer keys (there are other compounds included here as well)
- slides and videos on periodic table trends (electronegativity, ionization energy, atomic radius)
- slides and videos on Lewis structures
- worksheets on Lewis structures (email me for the answer key)
- terms and definitions for Module 4

Module 5 (Polyatomic Ions, VSEPR, Nonpolar versus Polar):
- formulas and names with polyatomic ions worksheets with answer keys (the ionic ones have these mixed in)
- VSEPR theory explanations (towards the bottom of the list)
- VSEPR worksheet with answer key
- slides covering nonpolar and polar covalent bonds and molecules
- ionic, nonpolar covalent, and polar covalent molecules practice questions (scroll down to the end // email me for answers)
- terms and definitions for Module 5

Module 6 (Physical and Chemical Changes, Density, Balancing Equations):
- physical versus chemical changes practice questions with answer key
- density practice questions with answer key
- video explaining how to balance equations
- balancing equations worksheets with answer keys
- terms and definitions for Module 6

Module 7 (Types of Reactions, Mass of an Atom, Grams and Moles):
- types of reactions worksheets with answer keys
- predicting reaction products worksheets with answer keys
- mass of an atom practice questions (scroll down to the end // email me for the rest of the answers)
- mass of an atom or a molecule practice questions (scroll down to the end // email me for the rest of the answers)
- video on converting between grams and moles
- grams and moles calculations worksheet with answer key
- terms and definitions for Module 7

Module 8 (Stoichiometry):
- slides covering grams to moles and moles to grams conversions as well as stoichiometry problems.
- stoichiometry: moles to moles examples (video)
- limiting reactant examples (video)
- Memorize the terms from Module 8. Here are some flashcards you can use.
- More explanations about stoichiometry.
- Stoichiometry practice worksheets with answer key.

Module 8 (Empirical and Molecular Formulas): 


Module 9 (Molarity and Dilutions): 

Module 11 (Gas Laws) 

Module 11 (Ideal Gas Law) 

Module 12 (Thermodynamics)

Module 12 (Heat Calculations)


Module 13 (Entropy and Gibbs Free Energy)

Module 14 (Reaction Rates)

Module 14 (Catalysts and Equilibrium)

Module 15 (Equilibrium and Le Chatelier's Principle)

Saturday, May 20, 2023

Student Testimonials

“I just wanted to let you know that I passed the CLEP test. I found your study guides and reading assignments helpful for the test. There was a 1776 (!) question about a book written by Edward Gibbon. There were no questions about the Great Schism, The Hundred Years’ War, or The Battle of Hastings, but there were questions about trade, the fall of the Roman Empire, and architecture.” - F. P. (Western Civ 1)

My Grading Philosophy (for Science Classes)

This is the philosophy behind how I have grades structured for my science classes.

Homework grades include homework assignments and lab reports. Extra credit goes towards the homework grade only. Basically, it's an alternative to doing homework corrections. The homework grade reflects the hard work that a student can do for the class. If they are willing to put in the work, they can ace that portion of their grade.

The tests grade is based on the tests only. This reflects the mastery part of the student's overall grade.

In other words, if a student is willing to work hard but doesn't understand the concepts, I am comfortable giving that student an overall B in the class, but not an A. An A (usually 90% or higher) needs to reflect both hard work and mastery (understanding) of the concepts.