Note Guide
 If you easily get overwhelmed when reading about something
new, I recommend starting with the Chapter Review at the end
of every chapter. The reviews are not complete, nor do they
contain enough detail to replace a full reading of the chapter,
but they will give you an idea of what you should focus on.
 Take your notes on lined paper.
 Outline, Cornell-style, or other, it is important that whatever
format you use, your notes are interactive. For example, as you
do your first read-through, you may want to write questions or
annotations on sticky-notes, then transfer those to your paper
and address them in your notes.
 The answers to the Concept Checks are in the Appendix of the
textbook. Copying the answers is not very useful for learning
and it’s against our academic honesty policy. Paraphrasing the
answers in your own words is more effective, and honest.
Coming up with your own answers is even better. Writing your
own answer, checking against the answers in the appendix, and
then annotating your original answer will have the most impact
on your learning.🙌
 Leave yourself at least a half a page of blank space and label it
REVIEW NOTES. We will go over the reading quizzes, and you’ll
want to take notes here during the review sessions.
 Don’t forget you are responsible for adding at least 5 new
entries to your glossary per assigned chapter. Surely there will
be more than 5 science vocabulary words that you will need to
learn, so it is recommended that you define as many terms as
you need to. If you would rather make flashcards instead of
keeping a glossary, you must keep the cards organized in a
folder within your notebook that is kept in the same place as
your glossary would be. Electronic flashcards are not accepted.
Now onto the note guide for Chapter 3:
The unique structure of water is why water is a polar
compound. Water’s polarity allows it to engage in hydrogen bonding.
The ability to easily form hydrogen bonds is what gives water many
unique properties, and life on Earth takes advantage of those
properties which is why water is such a biologically important
compound. Furthermore, the chemistry of life occurs in a very
narrow pH range, so it is important that organisms can maintain a
neutral environment.
Understanding figure 3.2 is very important. You should be
able to draw a water molecule interacting with other water
molecules as directed in the “Draw It” box near the figure. Be able to
identify and label the partial charges (δ+ and δ-), covalent bonds, and
hydrogen bonds.
Do Concept Check questions 1-3.
The quiz date is:
The four properties of water and their respective examples
are important. For each of the properties of water, make note on
how polarity and hydrogen bonding creates the property. Then take
note on why each property is important to life.
Do Concept Check questions 1-4.
You must understand what a hydrogen ion is and what it
represents.
You should be able to compare the behavior of strong
bases, weak bases, strong acids, and weak acids.
The section on pH scale goes into great detail, but the most
relevant information to this class is on page 52. Focus on what acids
and bases actually do. It’s more important to know how to read the
pH scale and understand what the numbers on the pH scale indicate
than it is to be able to calculate hydrogen ion concentration.
You must be able to describe how buffers moderate pH.
Blood pH and ocean acidification are common settings that may be
given to you on tests for you to demonstrate your understanding of
buffers and pH. Make sure you are able to track which molecules are
taking up or releasing hydrogen ions in the textbook examples, and
how that either changes the pH, or helps to maintain the pH.
Do Concept Check question 3 only. Tip: Compare the acetic
acid in the question to the carbonic acid in the blood and ocean
examples. The acetic acid should behave similarly, so take a guess at
how to answer this question.
In this class you will not be asked to calculate molecular
mass, moles, and molarity. You do need to remember that molarity
is the unit of concentration of an aqueous solution. It’s also helpful
to review the difference between solute and solvent for this unit and
the next unit.
The section about life on other planets is interesting, but it’s
unlikely you’ll be asked about this section on tests. Although, it is
possible that the AP exam may ask you hypothetically what
conditions may indicate the presence of life on other planets.
You will not be asked to calculate pH.