Chem Spring 2008

PadawanLearner · Feb 8, 2008

great advice on the tutor! i agree with that definitely. i think as we start going on with the chapters, i'll need to sign up for a tutor as well. i know this sounds pretty basic compared to o chem but i'm having a difficult time seeing the difference between a heterogeneous mixture and a homogeneous mixture.....
the way my instructor stated was to think of a chocolate chip cookie....it's a heterogeneous mixture because you can "pick" the chocolate chips out.....huh????? lol.
anyway have a fabulous weekend everyone!!! remember....breathe.......

:lol2: we got the chocolate chip cookie analogy too. i couldn't help but go "mmmmm coookie" (ala homer simpson).

we have a test this coming tuesday on polyatomic ions and covalent compounds. i'll pick up some ibuprofen tomorrow, think i'm going to need it. so far i have an "a" though...class avg is an 85.

good luck, ya'll.

"electrons have mass? i didn't even know they were catholic!"

tlaspires2rn · Feb 8, 2008

We got the chocolate chip cookie analogy too. I couldn't help but go "MMmmm Coookie" (ala Homer Simpson).
We have a test this coming Tuesday on polyatomic ions and covalent compounds. I'll pick up some ibuprofen tomorrow, think I'm going to need it. So far I have an "A" though...class avg is an 85.
Good luck, ya'll.
"Electrons have mass? I didn't even know they were Catholic!"

Too funny! :lol2: Our professor always uses the analogy of raisin bran. We have to keep a sense of humor, right? Whatever works.

By the way everyone, another thing our professor gave us that seemed somewhat helpful was a neumonic for the diatomic molecules....I Bring Clay For Our New House: Iodine, Bromine, Chlorine, Fluorine, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Hydrogen. I don't know about you guys, but every little thing that can help you remember a little easier helps!

AlishiaRN77 · Feb 11, 2008

How'd everyone's weekend go?

Did you all take the time and relax a little? Hope so!!

Here's to another week everyone!!

rn2bnwi, BSN, RN · Feb 11, 2008

Help!@!!! can anyone help me balance this into a double displacement? Thanks!!

SnCl2 + LiOH

Do Or Do Not · Feb 11, 2008

Help!@!!! can anyone help me balance this into a double displacement? Thanks!!
SnCl2 + LiOH

In double displacement think of the outer elements getting together and the inner elements getting together, then balancing the charges.

So:

SnCl2 + LiOH --> Sn(OH)2 + 2(LiCl)

AtomicWoman · Feb 11, 2008

help!@!!! can anyone help me balance this into a double displacement? thanks!!
sncl2 + lioh

the answer given above is wrong. notice that li is unbalanced still. (there are 2 li on the product side, but only 1 li on the reactant side.) the equation should read:

sncl2 + 2lioh ---> 2licl + sn(oh)2

also, don't put parentheses around licl on the product side.

remember that in double-replacement/displacement reactions, you have to make sure one of them will precipitate, otherwise you mark it nr for no reaction. in this case, the tin(ii) hydroxide will precipitate.

kristi1111 · Feb 12, 2008

I got a 93.6% on my first Chemistry exam!!!! :yeah:

I have been studying with my lab partner and that has helped a lot. Also, I have been using Barrons Chemistry, The Easy Way as well as Homework Helpers Chemistry both of which I picked up at Borders. I highly recommend both books. My Chem lab partner picked up the Cliff Study Solver (which I have heard others mention on this board too) and she likes it a lot.

Congrats to those who have done well on their first Chemistry exams/quizzes. To those who are having difficulty...I feel your pain. Last semester I took a Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry I class and was having great difficulty. I had an instructor who did not speak very good English and was paying a graduate Chemistry student to tutor me. I was barely getting a C in the class (with a curve.) I went to talk to my advisor about dropping it and she suggested that I take this Basic Chemistry class that I am taking now as I had never had Chemistry before, (not even in high school.) Although I was bummed that I had wasted money on this class (there are no prerequisites for it) and the class I am taking now does not count as a prerequisite, I feel it is worth it to understand what I am doing, kind of like taking one step back so you can take two steps forward.....

Anyway, I STRONGLY believe that your success in a course does depend a lot on the instructor also. I have a VERY GOOD instructor now and it is making a world of difference.

Well, off to study some more Chemistry....

AlishiaRN77 · Feb 12, 2008

I got a 93.6% on my first Chemistry exam!!!!

Time to do the happy dance!!!!!

Way to go Kristi!! Doesn't it feel great! I know when I received my score i was so excited that I had to call EVERYONE! LOL.

Of course they thought I was crazy but I didn't care...had to share the news!

I also agree with what you were saying about learning something to be able to move forward and do well. Especially with science classes. They are definitely the foundation of any type of job in the medical field.

Do Or Do Not · Feb 12, 2008

the answer given above is wrong. notice that li is unbalanced still. (there are 2 li on the product side, but only 1 li on the reactant side.) the equation should read:
sncl2 + 2lioh ---> 2licl + sn(oh)2
also, don't put parentheses around licl on the product side.
remember that in double-replacement/displacement reactions, you have to make sure one of them will precipitate, otherwise you mark it nr for no reaction. in this case, the tin(ii) hydroxide will precipitate.

um, yeah, what lori said, except that there's nothing wrong with putting

parentheses on the product side. i put there for emphasis to avoid confusion. guess i put that a in chem i to good use eh? :uhoh21:

AtomicWoman · Feb 15, 2008

um, yeah, what lori said, except that there's nothing wrong with putting
parentheses on the product side. i put there for emphasis to avoid confusion. guess i put that a in chem i to good use eh? :uhoh21:

heh, heh. :) it's easy to forget that kind of stuff once you're out of chemistry. the doctor i work with said to me, "do you think i remember the periodic table after all these years?". that made me feel better, because she's so smart. if ya ain't usin' it, you're losin' it! :lol2:

my current chem prof would mark it wrong if we put parentheses around the expression that follows the coefficient, so that's why i pointed it out.

AtomicWoman · Feb 15, 2008

Too funny! Our professor always uses the analogy of raisin bran. We have to keep a sense of humor, right? Whatever works.
By the way everyone, another thing our professor gave us that seemed somewhat helpful was a neumonic for the diatomic molecules....I Bring Clay For Our New House: Iodine, Bromine, Chlorine, Fluorine, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Hydrogen. I don't know about you guys, but every little thing that can help you remember a little easier helps!

I learned: Horses Need Oats For Clear Brown I(s) (say it as EYES). Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, Iodine

Whatever works for you!!

altbsn2010 · Feb 15, 2008

I got my first Chem test back. I got a very high A, so I'm totally stoked right now! With all our grades thus far, I'm pulling a very high A as well. Of course, it's only going to get harder, but I'm off on the right track.