CCOPS Chase CASHn’Gia: A Solubility Mnemonic
Lizabeth T. Ronquillo, Cesar Ramirez, Verenice Ramirez, Bruce Saenz, Aaron Stillman, Dr. James E. Becvar:
Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave. El Paso, TX. 79936
Soluble (aq)
Chlorates Exceptions
Acetates
$ulfates
Ca, Ba, Sr, Hg, Ag,
Pb
Halogens
Hg, Ag, Pb
Nitrates
Gia Group 1A
Ba(OH)2
+
NH4
The use of mnemonics to help students retain
information quicker and longer has proven successful in
all aspects of its implementation. As well, and especially
seen here, mnemonics come with an interesting story
that makes remembering, thus learning, fun. First
semester general chemistry does require quite a bit of
memorization based purely on the lack of truly in-depth
understanding that comes with more chemical studies.
Students do not find the excessive information
overwhelming anymore, thus leaving room for a better
understanding of the chemical concepts and
appreciation for the study of chemistry in the future.
Since the implementation of the freestyle ‘Plus Two’
PLTL program at UTEP, the average passing rate of first
semester
general
chemistry
has
increased
approximately twenty percent. The number of STEM
degrees has increased markedly, as has the retention of
students in the semesters following General Chemistry.
Subjective reports indicate that students find workshop
extremely valuable, especially in problem solving and
team-building skills. The number of students majoring
in chemistry has dramatically increased.
_______________________
CHEM 1305 Pass Rate (A+B+C) on First Attempt
Degrees Awarded By x Years After Enrollment in General Chemistry
90
84.2%
(Annual total enrollment in parentheses)
Percentage (A+B+C)
Insoluble (s)
Carbonates
Chromates
OH
Phosphates
Sulfides
74.5%
(443)
70
73.4%
72.2%
(628)
74.6%
(677)
60%
55%
50%
49%
(571)
60
56.8% 56.5%
(435)
(407)
50
55.9%
44%
40%
60.7%
38%
52.6%
25%
20%
(627)
44%
36%
42%
41%
33%
30%
(389)
51.4% (347)
45%
58%
52%
27%
26%
(405)
10%
43.4%
(371)
40
94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06
0%
1997-98 (n=347) 1998-99 (n=399) 1999-00 (n=541) 2001-02 (n=495) 2002-03 (n=553)**
Academic Year
UTEP Chemistry BS Degrees 1988-2008
Ba(OH)2
140
125
120
125
121
111
100
85
80
53
60
46
41
40
20
0
Fall 2000
Fall 2001
Fall 2002
Fall 2003
Fall 2004
Fall 2005
Fall 2006
Fall 2007
4 yrs
4 1/2 yrs
5 yrs
50
40
30
20
10
0
88
-8
9
90
-9
1
92
-9
3
94
-9
5
96
-9
7
98
-9
9
00
20 -01
02
20 -0 3
04
20 -0 5
06
-0
7
The original version of CASHn’Gia was found on a
medical mnemonics page and was posted by
username SilvrGrey330. I then modified the story
and rules to fit our general chemistry text,
Chemistry by Chang, more closely. Other
elements such as CCOPS were added by Bruce,
and the variations on the original story were
added by Cesar, Verenice, and Aaron.
The background story:
“I’m a pimp, and one of my hoes is named Gia.
Gia took off to Juarez with my money so now I’m
looking for my Cash n’ Gia! I just hope I don’t get
caught by the CCOPS!”
“The S in CASH is included as a dollar sign to
indicate money and 2 exceptions, CBS (TV station
that makes the least money) and HAPpy (they are
still happy with the money they do make).”
“HAPpy also applies to the H in CASH, as Happy
Halogens.”
Another variation on this:
“I am a reporter, investigating the death of a
(614)
80
STORY AND VARIATIONS
70%
Number of Students
For the past 10 years the University of Texas of El Paso has been a
leader in chemical education innovation. With the incorporation
of the Plus-Two Peer Lead Team Learning Program the passing
rate in general chemistry courses as well as the number of
chemistry majors at the university have skyrocketed. Through the
effort of peer leaders, undergraduate students that have
previously taken the class and understand the material well, the
current students get a two hour workshop session that
incorporates time for problem solving practice and a wet lab. This
is where the peer leaders are free to create new fun and
interesting ways to keep the students engaged in the material
while also ensuring they remember the concepts. One idea is the
use of mnemonics to remember tedious information. CASH N’
Gia is one such mnemonic made for the remembrance of
Solubility rules of compounds. All species listed in CASH N’ Gia
are soluble thus form an aqueous solution and COPS represents
the exceptions to CASH N’ Gia and are not soluble, forming a
solid. The meanings are C-Chlorates, A-Acetates, S-Sulfates, HHalogens, N-Nitrates, Gia-Group 1A and CCOPS is C-Carbonates
and Chromates, O-OH (hydroxides), P-Phosphates, and S-Sulfides.
The exceptions include: HAP (Hg, Ag, Pb) and CBS (Ca, Ba, Sr) for
Sulfates and HAP (Hg, Ag, Pb) for Halogens. This mnemonic once
learned makes the prediction of precipitate formation much
easier than before, and is fun and easy for students to remember.
Academic Year
NSF STEP Grant ‘Project I-STAR’ (DUE 0653270)
UTEP College of Science
UTEP Chemistry Department
Rio Grande Valley Section of ACS
Students and Peer Leaders that helped in the
development of this and projects like it.
Contacts: ltronquillo@miners.utep.edu
jbecvar@utep.edu