Chemistry Fall 2008

MAFDC08 · Oct 20, 2008

Thank you Katie for your response Katie!

PreRN Katie · Oct 20, 2008

You're welcome, let's hope we're right!

MAFDC08 · Oct 20, 2008

I'll let you know... :specs:

phoenixRisin9 · Nov 2, 2008

Hello all,

Just touching bases with everyone to see how class is going. Partly because of familial obligations, and partly because my chem professor (although he's a nice guy) sucks at teaching I've neglected studying until the last minute. And my lack of effort has been apparent with a C on the last quiz. I swore to myself that I at least could pull a B the day of the quiz. Oh well, time to re-organize myself because I am the only person to blame. Have a great week everyone!

smellyacres, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2008

Yeah, its been a while since anyone has posted here... all too busy studying for chemistry! thats it!

But I'm doing good, 95.1% in the class so far! Test tomorrow. We're working a lot with naming hydrocarbons lately, and it confuses me at some points, but I'm working on it. We get a cheat sheet for the test too, so i'm hoping I'll pull an A. (she grades on a curve, 88-100 is an A and 74-87 is a B.. i know i'm lucky!)

Chemistry has acctually been my favorite class this semester. Also take into consideration my other classes are speech, biology and research literacy, but still.

Hope all is well with everyone else! :up:

MAFDC08 · Nov 3, 2008

Hey Pheonix Rising,

Don't feel too badly about your "C". I studied my tail off all (about 12 hours worth--sucks!) week and I think I barely made a C, previous two tests were A's. Not sure what didn't sink in, though it was four chapters of information and I may have focused too deeply on things that weren't nec. Lucky for me he does drop the lowest test of four, so I have one more to go plus the final, which accounts for 40% of our grade--Yikes! Planning for an A on the next test...

MAFDC08 · Nov 3, 2008

Hey Zar963,

Good for you! My teacher mentioned a "cheat sheet" for our next test so I'm hoping that helps. My class is graded by points. We take four tests and a final. He drops the lowest score out of four, so each test is worth 20 pts and the final is worth 40. 85 to 100 pts is an A.

I guess it is common that chem is graded this way and I assume it's because it's not easy. Many in my class are repeat students from the previous semester that either had to drop the class or failed the class.

Some of the students I feel for and others (I think) probably didn't apply themselves.

Good Luck! And keep up the good work.

Dr. Gregory Simpson · Nov 3, 2008

Hi everyone,

Following the dialogue keenly. If it helps, I try to encourage my students to be very clear on the words they use during our discussions. Chemistry is like a foreign language, but once you get the meaning of the words and phrases, it's like riding a bicycle!

I've found that learning the words and phrases, helps a lot in how students answer open-ended questions or do calculations in chemistry. This week in my class, I continue with REDOX reactions, so I thought I'd show you one way to understand the concept.

The trick here starts with understanding oxidation numbers and being able to relate these numbers to the electronic configuration of the atom you are working with. Without that link it can be very difficult for some students to figure out these problems.

If I ask the question why does Magnesium (Mg) have a +2 charge i.e. Mg2+?

You should be able to answers and explain in terms of the electronic configuration (the arrangement of electrons in the different orbitals i.e. s, p or d orbitals) of magnesium.

The +2 charge is called the oxidation number or oxidation state of the atom and if the oxidation number is changed by adding 2 electrons, the oxidation state of the atom becomes zero (0).

This addition of electrons is called a REDUCTION and you should be able to rationalize the answer by the changes in the electronic configuration going from Mg(2+) to Mg(0). Can you do that? What would the electronic configurations of both atoms be?

Chemistry is really about observation in varying levels of detail. It's also about continuity, because each concept is the base that builds onto the next concept.The observation skill is a critical one in nursing. So try to develop your observational skills when doing these REDOX problems. It will help you significantly down the road!

Dr. S

msdeannah · Nov 3, 2008

Hello All

I am doing well to date in Chemistry. I have gotten A's on all 4 tests. He does drop the lowest as well.

Currently we are working on Specific heat and Enthalpy and Hess' Law.

This chapter especially is giving me a lot of trouble. Our next test is Thursday. I hope I can get it together in time. :bluecry1:

AtomicWoman · Nov 4, 2008

Hey, I want to go to one of those schools where your lowest grade gets dropped! LOL! :lol2: That just hasn't happened with any of my prerequisites, and I'm done with them now. Oh well, it keeps me on my toes all the time...

BusyMomof5 · Nov 4, 2008

I'm w/ you Atomic Woman! My Chem class is going pretty well so far. We have 3 tests worth 100 pts each and a cum final. We don't get to drop any tests. We also have 8 labs worth 10 pts each..that's all for the quarter. Takes a 95% to get an A..no real room for mistakes or you drop to an A-. I guess it wouldn't be SO bad if I wasn't taking Statistics online as well...the two of them together (with 5 little ones) is just brutal!

phoenixRisin9 · Nov 4, 2008

Atomicwoman, I'm with you on that one! BusyMomof5, you're amazing! 5 kids and the nursing program?? Any pointers you have on family schedule and studying would be greatly appreciated. I only have 3 kids...well 4, if you count my husband.