Chemistry 30: Course Outline
(Mr. Gibbings)
Dear Students,
Since I have been teaching this course for almost two decades, I have seen quite a
few interesting things. For example, I have watched young students such as
yourselves look on in wide-eyed awe as they played with liquid nitrogen for the
first time, created their own Duracell battery, or watched thermite melt through a
metal chair! We have had a few really great laughs too. I know one class in
particular will never forget a soap-making lesson. Another was privileged to
witness the now infamous “acid death prank.” And yet another class went on the
best field trip that never happened. I have even witnessed some students score
100% on the diploma exam! That’s right, 100%...perfection! Sadly, I have seen
other students do almost the opposite of that. So, what is my point? Well, I am
certain that we will have a good year, we always do, and I think we will have
some laughs along the way. The question is, how do you want it to end? Do you
want to finish strong knowing that you put forth your best effort, or do you want
to look back with regret, knowing that you could have given more.
Formal challenge to all my students:
• In the next five months, I challenge you to put forth more effort than ever
before in your educational career.
As with any challenge, ultimately, you will determine your destiny. Determine it
well; end well; push hard to the end.
Program Overview
Unit 1: Chemical Changes of Organic Compounds (Organic Chem.)
Oil. It’s what drives Alberta’s economy! We will study the many different
components of oil: from simple hydrocarbon formulas to more complex reactions.
You will draw diagrams, make models, and perform experiments on
hydrocarbons.
Unit 2: Thermochemical Changes (Heat)
How much energy is inside one liter of gasoline? How much energy is released
when one liter of gasoline burns in your automobile? These are the types of
questions we will answer, and many more, as we study heat energy.
Unit 3: Chemical Equilibrium Focusing on Acid-Base Systems
Why can you drink some acids but not others? Why are some acids toxic to the
human body while others are not? What makes one strong and the other weak?
What calculations can you perform to help quantify these questions? In this unit
you will find out.
Unit 4: Electrochemical Changes (Redox)
Have you ever really wondered how a simple battery works, how it creates
electricity? Or, have you ever wondered how scientists can “break” water into its
elements? These are the types of things we will discover as we study “redox”
reactions.
Evaluation
Each unit will consist of:
Formative
Knowledge Quizzes
Application Quizzes
Unit Tests
Teacher Final(s) (old diploma questions)
Teacher Mark
nil
15%
15%
35%
35%
------100%
Because this is a diploma class, all of the above only counts for 50% of your grade. Of
course, the other 50% comes with the dreaded diploma exam.
Teacher Mark
Diploma Exam
Final Mark
50%
50%
-------100%
Test Re-take Policy
• In my class it is possible to re-take exams…but, the price must be paid.
• So what is the price?
o You have to show me that you have completed every piece of homework
that I have assigned AND
o You must get a minimum of 90% on the “Knowledge Quizzes”
Knowledge Quizzes
• Throughout each unit I will be giving “Knowledge Quizzes”
• I believe these are critical to forming the basic knowledge you will need to be
successful in my class.
• If you score in the 80’s to 90’s on these quizzes you will have the basic
knowledge to earn 65% on the diploma.
• That is not a typo. Acquiring the basic knowledge probably gets you a 65% on the
diploma. Applying the knowledge correctly is what bumps you up into the 80%
range.
Application Quizzes
• These are diploma type questions designed to test the combination of knowledge
and application
• These separate the full-grown men from little the boys, and the big strong women
from the little girls.
The 10 “Chemandments”
1. Thou shalt be prepared. This means that you will be on time and have all necessary
materials to do the work in my class including text, data book, calculator, notes, etc.
2. Thou shalt show respect. You will show respect to all other students. This means you
should not belittle (mock) anyone or attempt to damage self-esteem in any other way.
This world is full of destroyers, be a builder–build others up, don’t tear them down. You
also need to respect me as your teacher. I have your best interests at heart; I have a job to
do, and I intend on doing it. Wasting my time with disruptive behavior or not doing your
homework shows disrespect for everything that school stands for. You will also be
respectful to janitors, administrators and school property.
3. Thou shalt not touch anything that is of limits. My lecture table, the L-shaped desk, all
lab equipment in the cabinets and shelves, and the chemical storage room are off limits.
All games are also off limits (ie. basketball, hockey stick etc.)
4. Thou shalt not ask to leave the room very often. You should use the bathroom at the
breaks or at lunch. The same goes for the phone. Of course there are some exceptions to
this rule, but for the most part you will stay in this room until the bell rings.
5. Thou shalt attend class everyday. Like all diploma courses, chemistry 30 is so
challenging that you need all the help you can get. Missing even one class will hurt your
mark. I have never seen a student miss a bunch of classes and do well in the end.
6. Thou shalt not ask to have a class party. I like fun just as much as you, but we have
little time to waste. If you feel like we have time for a party, I probably haven’t been
working you hard enough and will make the appropriate adjustments.
7. Thou shalt receive one free data book. The next one costs you one dollar.
8. Thou shalt prepare for the diploma. As I type this, I look at the words and realize
they don’t convey the importance I need them to. Students may not realize how vital
preparation is, and fewer still even know how to prepare properly and thoroughly. You
should be working on chemistry for a half an hour each and every night, Monday to
Friday, and perhaps Saturday. And cramming won’t work; it is the rotting fruit of the
poorly prepared.
9. Thou shalt realize that your grades (and the teacher) are not like the internet, an
iPod, or a cell phone. As great as these things are (I own both an iPod and a cell phone
and love them) they convey the idea that we get what we want, when we want it. This is
called instantaneous gratification. In today’s society, if you want information, you
“Google” for it and it appears. If you want a song, you download and enjoy. If you want
to purchase something you go to eBay today, and it appears on your doorstep tomorrow.
But you can’t do that with your marks. Earning good grades takes a lot of time, energy,
and diligence–5 months of it in fact. Also, I can’t mark your tests instantly. You will
have to wait an excruciating day before you get them back. And finally, don’t bring
your iPods, cell phones, etc. to class. They are wonderful tools, but they will not help
you with your chemistry work, hence they are distractions, nothing more.
10. Thou shalt have a positive attitude. Whether you think you will enjoy this class or not,
you are right.
Stages of Development
In all life, there are sequential stages of growth and development. A child learns
to turn over, to sit up, to crawl, and then to walk and run. Each step is important and each
one takes time. No step can be skipped.
This is true in all phases of life, in all areas of development, whether it be learning
to play the piano or communicate effectively with a working associate. It is true with
individuals, with marriages, with families, and with organizations.
…And even if we understand it, to accept it and live in harmony with it are even
less common and more difficult. Consequently, we sometimes look for a shortcut,
expecting to be able to skip some of these vital steps in order to save time and effort and
still reap the desired result.
But what happens when we attempt to shortcut a natural process in our growth
and development? If you are only an average tennis player but decide to play at a higher
level in order to make a better impression, what will result? Would positive thinking
alone enable you to compete effectively against a professional?
What if you were to lead your friends to believe you could play the piano at
concert hall level while your actual present skill was that of a beginner?
The answers are obvious. It is simply impossible to violate, ignore, or shortcut
this development process. It is contrary to nature, and attempting to seek such a shortcut
only results in disappointment and frustration.
On a ten-point scale, if I am at level two in any field, and desire to move to level
five, I must first take the step toward level three. “A thousand mile journey begins with
the first step” and can only be taken one step at a time.
…if you don’t pay the price day in and day out, you never achieve true mastery of the
subjects you study or develop an educated mind.
Did you ever consider how ridiculous it would be to try to cram on a farm–to
forget to plant in the spring, play all summer and then cram in the fall to bring in the
harvest? The farm is a natural system. The price must be paid and the process followed.
You always reap what you sow; there is no shortcut.
Stephen R. Covey, 7 Habits, p. 36, 37 & 22