Chem 110A: Introduction to Chemistry—Spring 2013
Chemistry 110A—Introduction to Chemistry A
Professor
Mr. Mark W. Schraf
mschraf@wvu.edu
Office hours
164 CRL (Chemistry Research Laboratories)—In the Chemistry Learning Center
M-F 1:30-2:30. You do not need to make an appointment to see me during these times.
Other times are available by appointment. Please ask!
Website
https://ecampus.wvu.edu (grades/all relevant course materials will be posted here).
NOTE: Every Quiz key will be posted in the bulletin board located across the hall
from Clark 104.
ELSI
Extra Lecture Support Instruction—In order to provide as much instructor support as
possible, a schedule will be established in which students from all Chemistry 110 sections
can meet with a Chemistry 110 instructor for help. Details on times and locations are
provided in the ELSI handout. The handout will be posted in 104 Clark Hall, 208 Clark
Hall, the Chemistry Learning Center, and is attached as the final page of this syllabus.
Lecture
Section 001: MWF 9:30 – 10:20 am, Clark Hall, Room 208 (You must also register for
Chem 110B Section 001 (CRN: 18568) in order to remain in Chem 110. Students
who fail to register for the Chem 110 B course in the same section will be dropped
from both classes at the end of the first week.)
Note: Please turn off all cell phones before entering the classroom.
Text
Prep Chem by John Strohl and revised by Mark Schraf (4th edition). Required of all
students (has a dark cover with a WV logo on the front).
Course prerequisite
A student may qualify for Chemistry 110A by obtaining a minimum score of 10 on the
basic algebra portion of the QRA (math placement exam). For information on the QRA
and dates/times when the QRA is next offered see http://www.math.wvu.edu/qra. Prerequisites will be verified, and students who fail to meet this minimum standard will not
be permitted to remain in Chemistry 110A.
Course
content
Chemistry 110A and 110B concern chemical problem solving. Our purpose is to prepare
students for the types of problems encountered in Chemistry 115 and 116. Each course is
one credit hour and the courses are designed to be completed in sequence over a single
semester. If you do not plan to take Chemistry 115, there is no reason for you to take
this course.
Expected
Learning
Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
• Perform math operations on numbers using appropriate significant figure rules
• Convert decimal numbers into standard scientific notation
• Demonstrate the ability to employ dimensional analysis to unit conversions between metric
and English systems of units
• Master basic quantitative problem solving skills to problems involving
— Mass percentage calculation
— The mole concept
— Avogadro’s number
— Molar mass conversions
— Simple mole-to-mole stoichiometry
• Accurately describe subatomic particles in atoms; atoms, ions, outer shell electrons, formula
1
Chem 110A: Introduction to Chemistry—Spring 2013
•
Calculators
unit
Correctly balance a simple chemical equation of reactants to products
Calculators are necessary for Chemistry 110, 115 and 116. Only non-programmable
calculators may be used during quizzes and examinations in Chemistry 110, 115, and 116.
The scientific calculator you purchase should have at least the following features (or their
equivalent): EXP (or EE), yx (or xy), x√y (or y√x), log, ln, sin, cos, tan, STO, RCL and parentheses.
Make sure you learn how to use your calculator properly (ie: read the directions accompanying
your calculator). If you do not know how to use a certain function on your calculator ask a
neighbor or ask me after class.
Examination All quizzes contain two parts: Required questions and Achievement questions. Required
questions are the basic information you must learn and are graded pass/fail.
system
Achievement questions are worth ten points each, with no partial credit awarded, and can
improve your grade to an A, B, or C.
There are 5 sets of required questions.
♦ All quizzes 1-5 must be passed in order to pass the course.
♦ In order to pass a quiz, all required questions must be passed on a given attempt. If you fail
any of the required questions for an attempt, you must repeat the set of required questions for
that quiz (not just the specific problems you missed).
♦ You will have multiple chances for retests on the required questions according to the schedule
in the syllabus
♦ You will not be penalized as long as all required questions are eventually passed within the
allowed time frames
To avoid an “F” in the course, all required questions for quizzes 1-5 must be
passed by Wednesday February 27, 2013.
Chem 110A is a preparation course for Chem 110B. Each student must demonstrate he can
work simple problems in each area of study before advancing. The retest system is designed to
provide immediate feedback so that students can rectify misunderstandings and apply the
correct knowledge to the next chapter.
Quizzes
You will be given 10-30 minutes per quiz depending on the quiz difficulty. Graded quizzes
will be returned the next class period. Save all of your quizzes. Your graded quizzes serve as
proof of your grade. They also provide an excellent study tool for other examinations in this
course. NOTE: Possession or use of any communication device during a quiz will result in
a zero for that quiz and probable academic fraud charges.
Retests
Retests for quizzes 1-5 are administered only during ELSI sessions (details in the ELSI
handout). You may use the retests to get ahead on your required questions or to catch up if you
are behind. Attendance will be recorded based on retests attempted. Details are on the ELSI
handout.
Homework
assignments
All students will be required to participate in a series of mandatory weekly homework
assignments to be completed outside of class. This homework will be administered on-line
(with possible paper homework also assigned), and complete information on accessing this online homework will be provided shortly. Each week’s homework assignment will be worth 5
points. All of the homework grades will be added together and will be worth up to a total of 30
achievement points at the end of the course.
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Chem 110A: Introduction to Chemistry—Spring 2013
These homework assignments are in addition to the individual homework assignments
outlined in this syllabus (which will NOT be collected or graded, but will be similar to the
graded homework and are VERY IMPORTANT FOR UNDERSTANDING THE CLASS
MATERIAL.
Late work
policy
Homework is expected to be completed on time, since the material covered in the
assignments will be similar to the quiz for that week. Late assignments will have a
20% per day late penalty. Extensions for emergency situations will be considered on
an individual basis. Contact me via e-mail as soon as possible.
Attendance
policy
Attendance will be checked each lecture using an ID scanner. Please make sure to
bring your university ID to each and every lecture to be considered present. If you
cannot make it class for any reason please contact me immediately by email informing
me of the day and reason you missed class.
Attendance will be used in determining each student’s final grade as shown below.
There are no “Excused Absences”, although minor adjustments may be made for
personal emergencies. Non-attendance at lecture is considered an absence whether
it is excused or un-excused. “Perfect” attendance (zero or one absence) will be
rewarded by addition of 10 achievement points to the final achievement point total
Absences
Penalty
0-1
None
2-3
Final letter grade dropped by one
4-5
Final letter grade dropped by two
5-6
Final letter grade dropped by three
>7
Final letter grade of F
Absence
from a quiz
If you are ill and contact me as soon as possible by phone or e-mail, you may make up
the quiz during office hours or ELSI session. If you need to go out of town on
University business, you must submit a note in advance listing your time of departure
and return. Missed quizzes must be made up within a week of the actual date of the
missed quiz. Other cases will be dealt with on an individual basis.
Academic
Integrity
The integrity of the classes offered by any academic institution solidifies the foundation of its
mission and cannot be sacrificed to expediency, ignorance, or blatant fraud. Therefore, I will
enforce rigorous standards of academic integrity in all aspects and assignments of this course.
For detailed policy of West Virginia University regarding definitions of acts considered to fall
under academic dishonesty and possible ensuing sanctions, please see the Student Conduct
Code at http://studentlife.wvu.edu/office_of_student_conduct. Should you have any questions
about possibly improper research citations or references, or any other activities that may be
interpreted as an attempt at academic dishonesty, please see me before the assignment is due
to discuss the nature. [adopted 2-11-08]
Social Justice
Statement
West Virginia University is committed to social justice. I concur with that commitment and
expect to maintain a positive learning environment based upon open communication, mutual
respect, and non-discrimination. Our University does not discriminate on the basis of race,
sex, age, disability, veteran’s status, religion, sexual orientation, color or national origin. Any
suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment in this class will be
appreciated and given serious consideration.
If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in
order to participate in this class, please advise me and make appropriate arrangements with
the Office of Disability Services (293-6700).
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Chem 110A: Introduction to Chemistry—Spring 2013
HOW CHEMISTRY 110A WORKS
Chemistry 110A is designed to improve the basic problem solving and math abilities of students to the point that
they will be able to succeed in Chemistry 110B. Previous knowledge of chemistry is NOT required: in fact, the
course was designed to help this type of student prepare to continue in college chemistry. A grade of “C” or
better in Chem 110A is required to continue on to Chem 110B.
The course is relatively easy for students who keep up with the syllabus, work sufficient number of exercises, and
get their questions answered during class or ELSI hours. The course is exceedingly difficult for students who study
only the night before a quiz, etc. Most of the students who drop do so because they get behind.
Testing using Required and Achievement questions in Chem 110A is designed to help students keep up with the
course material, to aid students in identifying specific weaknesses and to provide opportunities to eliminate them.
Required questions include the basic, fundamental concepts of a chapter, and these skills will be utilized
throughout the semester for all types of problems, so it is imperative that students develop expertise with these
questions. Students who do not rectify their deficiencies with required questions immediately will struggle to
succeed in all subsequent chapters. If a student cannot completely understand and implement the information
contained in the required questions, this is a clear indication that the student is not ready to enroll in Chemistry
110B.
Bottom line, to pass Chemistry 110A, you must have a really good understanding of the basic concepts included
in ALL 5 sets of required questions. If you understand how to balance chemical equations (Required Question
set 5) but cannot use molar mass for conversions (Required Question set 4), then you have not met the
objectives of Chemistry 110A and are not ready for Chemistry 110B. You must pass all 5 sets of Required
Questions (1-5) in order to pass Chemistry 110A.
Achievement questions will test students at a higher level, often combining two or more required level
questions/skills, and requiring students to use problem solving skills. These questions determine a student’s true
understanding of all the material in a particular section, and of the course as a whole.
Bottom line, to get a grade of A, B, or C in Chemistry 110A, in addition to understanding and applying the basic
concepts included in ALL 5 sets of required questions, you must be able to complete multi-step problems.
However, these concepts are only the basic information that is required in Chemistry 110B; So if you do not
attempt this more difficult material in Chemistry 110A, you will not be ready for Chemistry 110B.
Many students become frustrated with the fact that partial credit is not given in Chemistry 110A&B. However,
unlike a term paper or an essay question, science problems, especially those involving mathematical equations,
have a single, distinct, and exact solution. There is only one correct answer, and part of the job of Chemistry
110A&B is to prepare students to recognize this fact. Science is also extremely detail-oriented (a little mistake can
result in a big problem), so Chemistry 110A&B are also designed to teach students that every number they write
must have the proper significant figures, units, and rounding, or it will be marked as incorrect. This concept
is no less important than any other in the class, and will be continually reinforced throughout the semester. SO BE
READY FOR IT!
The following chart will help you understand the individual skills that will be required in order to perform well on
both sections of each quiz. These are not isolated topics to be memorized and then ignored. For example, the skills
you learn to pass the required of quiz 1 will still apply in the achievement section of quiz 5 and the final exam! So it
is vitally important that you learn and retain the material throughout the course, and also that you use your graded
quizzes to discover what concepts you do not understand, correct the deficiencies, and then practice the
homework problems that apply in order to master this material.
4
Chem 110A: Introduction to Chemistry—Spring 2013
By Quiz 1
you can…
Required
Chem 110 Cumulative Weekly Conceptual Goals
Achievement
Perform math operations on measured numbers Perform algebraic manipulation; mixed
using significant figure rules; convert numbers operation calculations with significant figures;
into standard scientific notation; mass
mass % calc.; + or − exponential numbers
percentage calculation
By Quiz 2
you can…
Required
Achievement
Perform metric to metric conversion; temp
conv.; metric to English conversion; Use
dimensional analysis
Perform multi-step conversions; complex unit
conversion; K to °F conversion
By Quiz 3
you can…
Required
Achievement
subatomic particles in atoms; atoms, ions,
outer shell electrons, formula unit
ions from formula unit, subatomic particles in
ions, # of electrons in ions; formula unit from
ions; bond type ID
By Quiz 4
you can…
Required
Achievement
Perform mole conversions/ NA; molar mass
conversions
Perform density conversion; STP gas
conversions; molarity and concentration
By Quiz 5
you can…
Required
Achievement
balance chem equation; mole stoichiometry
balance equations; limiting reagent
stoichiometry
By Quiz 6
(midterm)
you can…
Required
Achievement
No required questions on midterm, but must be
proficient with all concepts from Quizzes 1-5
All Quiz 1-5 material, plus mass % of elements
in compounds; empirical formula; mass
stoichiometry and limiting reagents; general
reaction problems
Chemistry 110A Course Performance and Grading
Chemistry 110A is designed to improve math and problem solving skills to the point expected for success in
Chemistry 110B. A grade of A or B usually indicates that students’ study habits and problem solving skills are
sufficient that they won’t have extreme difficulty with the material in Chemistry 110B as long as they continue
good study practices. A grade of C indicates that there will be some areas of difficulty so the student should expect
to spend extra time and effort in Chemistry 110B.
Final course Grades
Quizzes 1 through 6 plus the homework will be used for the computation of the course grade. There are
370 achievement points available.
Quiz
Achievement points available
Quiz 1
50
Quiz 2
50
Quiz 3
50
Quiz 4
40
Quiz 5
30
Final (quiz 6)
120
Homework
30
total 370
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Chem 110A: Introduction to Chemistry—Spring 2013
Course Grades
Final course grades will be assigned as follows:
If and only if all Quizzes 1-5 passed
Achievement points
Course Grade
300-370
A
250-290
B
200-240
C
0-190
D
If not all required questions 1-5 passed
Achievement points
Course grade
Any
F
Note:
1. The syllabus is tentative and approximate.
2. To avoid an “F” for the course, the required questions for quizzes 1-5 must be passed by
Wednesday February 27, 2013
A GRADE OF “F” WILL BE AWARDED IF ALL THE REQUIRED QUESTIONS HAVE NOT
BEEN PASSED BY THE DATE GIVEN REGARDLESS OF THE TOTAL ACHIEVEMENT
POINT STANDING.
quiz
1
2
3
4
5
6 (final)
Homework
Course total
Keep track of your Chem 110 Weekly Progress
Required
Achievement points ( __earned out of __
(Pass or fail)
points)
____ out of 50 pts
____ out of 50 pts
____ out of 50 pts
____ out of 40 pts
____ out of 30 pts
____ out of 120 pts
____ out of 30 points
____ out of 370 pts
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Chem 110A: Introduction to Chemistry—Spring 2013
CHEMISTRY 110A SPRING 2013
Section 001: M W F 9:30-10:20 AM
Date
M, Jan 14
Chapter
1
Homework
Exercise Sets
1.A-1.B
W,
16
1
1.C-1.K
F,
18
1, 2
1.L-1.P; 2.A-2.B
M,
21
No Class (MLK Day)
W,
23
Quiz #1 (on Chapter 1) , 2
2.C-2.D
F,
25
2, 3
2.E- 2.F; 3.A – 3.C
M,
28
3, 5 (Read Ch. 4)
3.D – 3.K
W,
30
Quiz #2 (on Chapter 2), 5
5.A -5.B
F, Feb 1
5
5.C-5.G
M,
4
5 (Read Ch. 6)
5.H – 5.K
W,
6
F,
8
7
7.C – 7.D
M,
11
7
7.E-7.F
W,
13
F,
15
8
8.A – 8.C
M,
18
8
8.D – 8.E
W,
20
F,
22
8 and Review
M,
25
Review and retakes
W,
27 **
Review and retakes **LAST DAY TO PASS RETESTS 1-5!!!
F,
29
Quiz #6 (Final Exam on Ch.1-8)
Quiz #3 (on Chapter 3), 7
Quiz #4 (on Chapter 5)
7.A-7.B
7.G- 7.I
Quiz #5 (on Ex. Sets 7.A-7.G)
1-8
If you do not have Retests 1-5 passed by Wed, Feb 27, you
cannot pass Chem 110A and will either earn an ‘F’ grade or must
drop the course with a ‘W’. Anyone earning a final grade lower
than a ‘C” in Chem 110A will not be permitted to register for
Chem 110B.
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Chem 110A: Introduction to Chemistry—Spring 2013
Chem 110A Quiz 1
Sort #
Name
Section# _______
Report all answers to the appropriate number of significant figures and with the correct units.
Competency Questions
1.
17.177
+4.90
22.08 (2 dec.)__
2.
0.333 × 3.0 =
Sample
1.0 (2 sf)______
4.750×10-3 (4 sf)
3.
The standard exponential form of 0.004750 is:
4.
What is the percentage of water in a solution made by mixing
0.950 g of salt and 6.775 g of water?
87.70 % water
Mastery Questions
1.
Rearrange the equation below for A.
(A/C) - AK = 2
2.
(14.181 - 0.0711) × (3.118 + 0.019) =
3.
4.
5.
A=
2/[(1/C) - K] or 2C/(1 - CK)
44.26 (4 sf)
(5.43×10-4) + (6.2×10-5) =
6.05×10-4 (3 sf)
The weight percent of gold in an ore is 5.10%. What is
the weight of a sample of ore that contains 35 lb of gold?
Rearrange the equation below for K.
(1/K) - (B/KA) = P
6.9×102 lb ore (2 sf)
K=
[1 - (B/A)]/P or (A - B)/AP
8
Chem 110A: Introduction to Chemistry—Spring 2013
EXTRA LECTURE STUDENT INSTRUCTION (ELSI)
ELSI is a program designed to give you as much instructor support as possible for Chem 110. We are
therefore establishing open office hours, provided by at least one of the Chem 110 professors this
semester, at the following times:
TUESDAY
–
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
[2 hours total]
WEDNESDAY
–
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
[4 hours total]
THURSDAY
–
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
[2 hours total]
FRIDAY
–
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
[2 hours total]
All sessions are in the Chemistry Learning Center (CLC) located on the ground floor of the Chemistry
Research Laboratory (CRL), which is the building attached to Clark Hall.
That’s a total of 10 office hours with Chem 110 instructors that are available to you free of charge and
without an appointment needed!
Note: you can attend ANY and/or ALL sessions, including ANY professor’s time slots.
And remember, the ONLY time that you can take the required retests is during an ELSI session (you
may take one retest exam for each individual quiz per week, unless otherwise informed). If you cannot
make ANY of these sessions, see your instructor immediately.
YOU ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND AN ELSI SESSION AND ATTEMPT ANY OF THE RETESTS
YOU HAVE NOT YET PASSED FOLLOWING THE WEEK OF THE QUIZ. FAILURE TO DO SO
WILL RESULT IN AN ABSENCE (SEE THE ATTENDANCE POLICY IN THE SYLLABUS)! THIS
MATERIAL IS CUMULATIVE AND IS CRITICAL TO YOUR SUCCESS IN THIS CLASS, SO NO
PROCRASTINATING PERMITTED!
So make sure you attend the ELSI sessions!
We can help you keep up with the homework, get help with concepts you are struggling with, and pass all
your required retests!
GET HELP WITH YOUR CHEM 110 CLASS!!!
PASS YOUR REQUIRED QUESTIONS!!!
COME EARLY!!! COME OFTEN!!!
9