Honors Chemistry Summer Assignment
Welcome to Chemistry!
In an effort to assist you towards preparing for your chemistry class, please introduce yourself to the following
concepts. The assignments were designed to be straightforward, simple, easy to locate and easy to comprehend.
You will be able to locate most solutions in your textbook or online. Most assignments were designed to prepare
you for key ideas. Other assignments were designed to broaden your appreciation of chemistry and the role it plays
in everyday life.
The assignment is due the first day of class. You will be tested on this information during the first full week of
class. Please do not hesitate to contact me at jrivlin@immaculatahighschool.org
I will check my email
biweekly (every other week).
Element Names & Symbols
Complete the chart below (spelling counts) and tape into your assignment. It is highly recommended that you
spend a portion of your summer learning these names and symbols.
Symbol Name
H
Na
Potassium
Mg
Calcium
Iron
Ni
Cu
Silver
Gold
Zn
Hg
Aluminum
C
Silicon
Symbol Name
Tin
Pb
N
P
Oxygen
Sulfur
F
Cl
Bromine
Iodine
He
Ne
Argon
Xenon
Radon
Periodic Table
Obtain a copy of the Periodic Table from the Internet. The Periodic Table will become a very close
companion during the school year.
Locate metals, nonmetals & metalloids on the Periodic Table. Please shade in the sections of the Periodic Table,
preferably in the colors indicated: a) metals (red), b) nonmetals (blue), c) metalloids (yellow).
Locate Groups & Periods on the Periodic Table. Indicate the direction of Groups via an arrow drawn on your
Periodic Table. Indicate the direction of Periods via an arrow drawn on your Periodic Table. Remember to label
your arrows.
Indicate the following Groups by writing their name in the appropriate location on your Periodic Table: a) halogens,
b) Noble gases, c) alkali metals, d) alkaline earth metals
Science Is All Around Us
Locate two articles through “everyday” encounters (i.e., newspaper, magazine). Do not do Internet searches of
terms. The idea is for you to realize that science is around you at all times, even without you searching. For
example, do you recall recently hearing about the following: cadmium in children’s jewelry? high fructose corn
syrup? effects of ash on jet engines? mercury in tuna?
Write two or more sentences offering your opinions and comments on each topic you encountered, include why the
topic caught your interest. Be sure to include a copy of any article. If you find this fun, then please keep going and
create a journal.
Introduction to Chemistry Questions
Answer the following. Full sentences are not needed, instead imply the question in the answer. For
example, do not answer, “gains electrons”, instead write “Li gains electrons”.
1) What is the chemical formula for ozone?
2) What elements are found in CFCs?
3) What are the properties of matter?
4) How is mass different from weight?
5) Determine which field of chemistry is most likely to do the following: a) study the compounds containing
carbon b) study the effect of mercury in living organisms
6) Why is the scientific method used?
7) How is qualitative data different from quantitative data? Provide an example of each type.
8) How does a hypothesis become a theory?
9) Define the term isotope.
10) What are the three isotopes of hydrogen?
11) What does the word “alkali” mean?
12) List some properties of the alkali metals.
13) List one use for five the following: a) Lithium
b) Sodium
e) Magnesium f) Nitrogen
c) Potassium
d) Calcium
g) Phosphorus
14) List one use for each member of the Halogen family.
15) List one use for each member of the Noble Gas family.
16) Where are the transition metals located in the periodic table?
17) Define the term diatomic. Next, list the elements that are diatomic (i.e., H2)
18) Define the term cation. Give an example of a cation.
19) Define the term anion. Give an example of an anion.
20) Define the term enthalpy.
21) Define the term entropy.
Suggestions for Preparing
1) Chemistry is more like a math class, less like a biology class. There is a lot of math involved (your calculator
will also become a constant companion).
2) Chemistry involves more understanding of concepts and applying them, less memorization of terms.
3) It would be great if you could come into class knowing about significant figures, rounding, and scientific
notation. We will take some time at the start of the school year to cover these concepts, as they are
important to your future success in any science class.
4) The following site has an excellent tutorial on significant figures:
http://www.chem.sc.edu/faculty/morgan/resources/sigfigs/index.html.
5) Refer to your handbook or online reference for your calculator model for assistance with entering scientific
notation (i.e., 6.02 x 1023) into your calculator.
6) Familiarize yourself with laboratory safety rules and symbols which can be found on my website which can be
accessed through Immaculata website – faculty page
Have a great summer – see you in September
Dr. Rivlin