Chem Spring 2008

morningstarRN, RN · Apr 28, 2008

Four weeks left and studying like crazy to hold my A. The next few weeks have our biggest tests so it is doubtful I will keep the A. This class has been difficult for me. I will be happy with a B if that is what I end up with when it is over.

Hotflashn · Apr 29, 2008

Trying to hang on to my A, in O chem, too. Only a few weeks left of class, but still a lot of points with one last exam and a heavily weighted final. I am soooooo ready to be done with this class! Glad I didn't drop though! How do you all stay motivated?

Good luck everyone - light at the end of the chemistry tunnel just ahead!!

morningstarRN, RN · Apr 29, 2008

I hear you about the final. Our final is worth 40% of our total grade! Plus we have two midterms worth 30% combined. I have never had two midterms in one class. I have to say I will be glad to be finished with this class. It has not been one of my favorites.

AlishiaRN77 · Apr 29, 2008

Hey all!

One more week and SOOOOOOO counting!!! We just had our last test tonight. Only the final left. Thank god!!

So far still maintaining my A but i'm afraid that the final may kill my A. Really freaked about it but I know once next week is over...i will finally breathe..lol.

hang in there all!!

Do Or Do Not · Apr 30, 2008

To the chagrin of many of my Gen. Chem collegues, the Entropy/Enthalpy question still dominates in Organic too. So I have this question:

"A process which is unfavorable with respect to enthalpy, but favorable with respect to entropy

A)could not occur regardless of temperature

B)could occur at any temperature

C)could occur at high temperatures, but not at lower temperatures.

D)could occur at low temperatures, but not at higher temperatures."

I know "favorable" in terms of Entropy is +, but can't figure out if "unfavorable" in terms of Enthalpy is - or +. I'm thinking it means bond breaking over bond formation, which would mean it's a +, which would make the answer C, but wanted to check just in case.

morningstarRN, RN · May 2, 2008

Finally received my graded midterm back! I am so excited. I ended up with a 97% on the test. I am a bit in shock because I thought I had done much worse than that. Now there are only two small quizzes left and the final.

AlishiaRN77 · May 2, 2008

Way to go Memories!! Congrats on your 97%!

One more week for me....finals next week then sooooo done with this class.

I have psy 101 starting on 5/12 then a&p 1 starting on 6/2. I will be happy when all this is done and the day i say..."I'm in!" lol.

Hang in there all, we are almost done!!

itsa307 · May 2, 2008

Excellent Job Everyone!

I have 3 weeks left with 2 major exams and I'm trying to hold on to my solid B. We'll see. I'm doing really well with the organic chemistry stuff but I still have problems with the whole mole to mole conversion stuff. I just need practice and to focus. I have extra credit due this week that I have to do too. This has been a really hard semester for me. Not only just the Chem class but if you all remember my Grandpa got hit by a car in Jan and this week he died due to those injuries. My family is devastated and I just keep trying to stay focused on this class but it's really hard.

I start Soc101 in June and Anatomy in Sept. At least I got into the classes that I wanted and needed. I ended up switching from Human Development to Soc because the teacher I had was rated soo poorly on RateMyProfessor I had to jump ship to another class! I'm glad everyone is doing soo well. Remember to post your offically grades when you've finished & Good Luck!

morningstarRN, RN · May 2, 2008

Thanks allieinaz! I envy you only have one week left. I keep telling myself the end of this class will finally arrive. The subject is very interesting to me but it is so time consuming. I don't feel like I have time to breathe this quarter. I think I overloaded myself with classes. I am going to go easier on myself next time. I want to finish as fast as I can, but having my sanity intact is important too! :bugeyes:

tiarageek · May 4, 2008

I still have another month, my school's schedule is just bizarre.

And right now I'm going crazy because I can't at all remember how to set up a problem to find the second temperature w/ Charles's Law. I'm just feeling completely stupid. Chem's just been "clicking" for me and now it's... not.

hearts895, RN BSN · May 6, 2008

I have another month and a half left for Chemistry 101. Its a hard class and I'm really unhappy to tell you the truth - I was hoping for an A in the class but I can see now that I'll be lucky to get just an A- :crying2: I was wondering what everyone else's grading scale is like for their Chem. 101 class? Mine is a 94 to get an A and 90 to get an A-. The tests are really hard because my teacher (she's nice but tough) asks all these abstract questions. Do any of you think this is a overly hard grading scale?

Also, does anyone have any tips for memorizing the molecular and atomic geometric structures (tetrahedral, linear ect.) for each kind of atom and the whole polar/non-polar thing? I'm really confused! :confused:

I guess all I can do is pray :bowingpur and hope for a decent grade. At least I'm transferring to a school with a 90 or above to get an A across the board-type grading scale (I hate the whole A- thing). Thanks for your thoughts everyone! :loveya:

AlishiaRN77 · May 6, 2008

I have another month and a half left for Chemistry 101. Its a hard class and I'm really unhappy to tell you the truth - I was hoping for an A in the class but I can see now that I'll be lucky to get just an A- I was wondering what everyone else's grading scale is like for their Chem. 101 class? Mine is a 94 to get an A and 90 to get an A-. The tests are really hard because my teacher (she's nice but tough) asks all these abstract questions. Do any of you think this is a overly hard grading scale?
Also, does anyone have any tips for memorizing the molecular and atomic geometric structures (tetrahedral, linear ect.) for each kind of atom and the whole polar/non-polar thing? I'm really confused!
I guess all I can do is pray :bowingpur and hope for a decent grade. At least I'm transferring to a school with a 90 or above to get an A across the board-type grading scale (I hate the whole A- thing). Thanks for your thoughts everyone! :loveya:

Hey there! Hang in there!! I think you are doing great with the A-! Chem IS a hard class and to be getting an A- is exceptional!!

The tips that I can give regarding the molecular structures:

Linear - there are no "lone pairs" - lone pairs being valence electrons by themselves.

For example: HCl is linear. hydrogen offers one valence electron to chlorine who only needs 1 electron to make a full octet....thus it is linear.

Bent - There are 1 or 2 lone pairs around the central element.

For example: HOH (aka water h2o).

Oxygen has 6 valence electrons and hydrogen has 1 valence electrons each. When you get the structure: H-O-H...there are 2 pairs of lone electrons around the oxygen thus making it bent.

Trigonal pyramid - This will have 1 pair of lone electrons around the central atom.

Example: NH3 There will be 1 pair of lone electrons around the nitrogen.

Trigonal planar - There will be NO lone pairs of electrons around the central atom.

Example: CH20 Carbon is the central atom with 2 hydrogens and an oxygen around it.

Tetrahedral - Will have NO lone pairs of electrons around the central atom.

Example: CCl4 - Carbon is the central atome with 4 chlorines around it.

Hope this made sense.

As for the polar and non polar regarding the above structures:

1. Electronegativity difference - The ability of an atom to attract electrons to itself. When looking at a periodic table...start from the bottom left corner (87 - Fr)...when you go up or to the right..the more electronegative it is...

2. Depends on symmetry as well.

Symmetrical = non polar

all the electrons are pulling on the central atom evenly. no one wins in a tug of war....like CCl4.

Asymmetrical = polar

Electrons are not pulling evenly.

***The symmetry takes preceence over electronegativity.***