Physcial or Chemical Change?

For many of us Physical and Chemical Changes were just a review of what we learned from grade 8, 9 & 10...but for some of us who don't, Physical and Chemical Changes are easier than you may actually think!
Here are some key notes from Mr. Doktor that will give you ideas and insight on what Physical and Chemical Changes are all about:

 

Physical Change:

- Involves changing shape or a state of matter
    Examples: Crushing, Tearing, etc..

- No new substances are formed
    Examples: Cutting wood, Boiling water, etc...

Chemical Change:

- New substances are formed
- Properties of the matter changes

    - Conductivity, Audicity, Colour, etc...
      Examples: Iron rusting, Burning wood,
                        Digesting food

Now that you are a bit familiar with Chemical & Physical Changes, can you identify some of the things in this video that is either chemical or physical?

We also did some review on writing and balancing chemical equations

Here are some examples, try them!

1. A solution of aluminum chloride, carbon dioxide and water can be prepared mixing pure aluminum carbonate with a solution of hydrochloric acid

2. Write a balanced equation for the reaction of aqueous barium hydroxide neutralizing a solution of phosphoric acid if solid baruim phosphate and water are produced

To finish off, here's a funny video for you to watch but NEVER try at home

 

Word Equations & Balancing

Yesterday, we learned about Word Equations & Balancing in chem11.  However, because we were already taught this topic throughout Science 10 (last year), it was a review for most of us.  But it was still a much needed review and the class was really thankful to get some practice in before going on to the "real" topics of chem11! Here are some helpful notes and reminders that Mr. Doktor gave us that day...

Phase Symbols: they indicate the phase of a chemical.  So they are either solid (s), liquid (l), gas (g), or an aqueous solution which means dissolved in water (aq).

Chemical Equations from Word Equations:  the main objective of this class was to learn how to understand the meaning of chemical equations, to change chemical equations into words, and finally to balance them!  So, we were reminded of the diatomic seven (H, N, O, F, Cl, Br, and I) which all end with the subscript 2 when placed alone in a chemical reaction.  Another good trick to remember them is that the start at the atomic # 7 and form the shape of a seven when you look at them on the periodic table, minus hydrogen.  Also, we similarly learned about the polyatomic molecules found on the periodic table which are P with the subscript 4, and S with the subscript 8.  The final thing that we got from that section of notes was that in chem11, a solution means something is dissolved in water.  Therefore the phase is aqueous.  

After we wrote down those notes, we immediately got into practicing!  We went over basic balancing and analyzing word equations until the very end of the class.  We were also given some more homework to do at home regarding balancing and word equations from our textbook.  SO, over all Tuesday was a very productive day for Mr. Doktor's chem11 students! 

Here's a helpful video on the basics of Balancing:

Have a great day! :D

First day of survival! Safety TIPS

Today's topic was Safety; to start off the class we went into groups and discussed things that could be hazardous in a science class when doing an experiment. After listening to the other group's ideas we split into groups of 3 or 4 and had to look inside Lab drawers to see if we could find any lab equipment from a previous handout. Given that it was Friday the classes were shortened so for homework we had to find out what each WHMIS symbol meant. For fun and lab safety tips we watched a FUNNY lab safety video :)

                                                              
Here are 10 smart safety tips we learned from the funny video and from our text book:

1. Wear the proper safety equipment
2. Don't forget to tie long hair back!
3. If something bad/dangerous happens, warn your teacher imediately
4. No open toed shoes
5. No horseplay
6. Listen to the teacher's instructions and follow them very carefully
7. Don't mix chemicals unless asked to do so
8. Waft, don't inhale
9. Don't ever leave an open flame
10. Know the locations of the safety materials in your lab

If you'd like to watch the video yourself here's the link ^

Welcome!

We hope that you will find this blog informative and learn to enjoy Chemistry 11! (: