Chemistry II - Course Syllabus
Advanced Concepts of Chemistry: Organic and Inorganic
Instructor: Rob Wilder
Room 211-A
Contact Information: e-mail – wilderr@spart6.org
Phone: 582-4347 ext. 1211
Course Resources:
Textbook:
Davis, Raymond E., Frey, Regina., Sarquis, Mickey., and Sarquis, Jerry L. Modern Chemistry. Austin, TX:
Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2009.
Online Resources:
1) http://www.chemeddl.org/
2) http://chemed.chem.wisc.edu/chempaths/GenChem-Textbook/Introduction-679.html
3) https://www2.chemistry.msu.edu/faculty/reusch/virttxtjml/intro1.htm
4) https://www.khanacademy.org/science/chemistry
Class overview:
Chemistry II is a look into the world of advanced concepts of introductory chemistry. These concepts
build upon the foundations studied in Chemistry I. It will also move into the world of organic chemistry,
a branch of chemistry that has over 3 million known compounds, many of which are central to life.
These advanced concepts allow for a greater understanding into the workings and characteristics of the
materials we use every day and how life itself operates. Chemistry is both descriptive and mathematical.
We will explore both aspects in depth and you will need to be proficient in both to be successful in this
course.
Class expectations:
 Consistent attendance is important. Make every effort to be in class each day. If you are absent,
it is your responsibility to obtain any make-up work and notes. You may contact me using the email address above. Absences due to school business; field trips, athletic events, etc., do not
excuse you from the work for that day. Plan ahead.
 Come to class prepared each day with paper, pen or pencil, calculator, book, and completed
homework.
 Be on time. Class will begin promptly. Tardies to class will be handled in accordance with school
policy. (p. 19 of Student Planner)
 Portable electronic devices may not be used at any time unless permission is given. Phones and
tablets may not be used on a test as a calculator.
The best action is
 There is no eating in class. You may drink water only in class, but never when we are in the lab.
 Treat everyone with the same level of respect that you would like to be treated.
 Raise your hand to be recognized before asking or answering a question.
 Ask for help sooner rather than later.
Assessment and grading: I use a point system to determine grades. Each assignment is given a point
value based on its importance to the unit. For example, unit tests will carry a 100 or more point value,
while a unit quiz may carry a 20 or 30 point value. At the end of each grading period the total points you
have earned will be compared to the total points possible and a percentage grade will be assigned.
Assessment and grading continued:
Work that is turned in late will receive a 10% reduction for each day it is late up to 5 days, at which time
it will be given a zero. Daily homework grades are not accepted late.
The final course grade will be computed as follows:
(1st nine weeks grade x .45) + (2nd nine weeks grade x .45) + (final exam grade x .10)
Course Outline:
Unit 1: Chemistry Foundations: Review Concepts from Chem-I. (test date: Fri. 8/30)
 Math in Science: Dimentional analysis, significant figures, metric conversions
 Density
 Atomic structure and Bonding
 Periodic Trends
 Chemical reactions
 Stoichiometry
 Solutions: acids and bases
 Gases
Suggested Labs: Density, Separating the components of a mixture (micro), Mole Ratio of a
chemical reaction (micro), acid-base titration, How Much Calcium Carbonate is in an Eggshell?
(Modern p.528)
Unit 2: Thermodynamics and Thermochemistry (Test date: Fri. 9/13)
 Energy
 Heat and Work
 Thermochemical Equations
 Enthalpy Change: Calculating Heats of Reaction
 Entropy
 Spontaneity
Suggested labs: Heat of Reaction, Calorimetry and Hess’s Law (Modern p. 558), Calories from
food
Unit 3: Chemical Kinetics (Test date: Wed. 9/25)
 Reaction rates and rate laws
 Reaction order
 Integrated rate laws


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Half-life
Reaction mechanisms
Collision theory
Suggested labs: Rate of a Chemical Reaction (Modern p. 586), Reaction Rates (micro), Kinetic
Study of Thiosulfate in Acid (micro)
Unit 4: Equilibrium (Test Date: Fri. 10/11)
 Types of equilibrium – physical and chemical
 Writing the equilibrium expression (Law of Mass Action)
 Le Chatelier’s Principle
 Equilibrium constants: K c vs Kp
 Reaction quotient (Q)
 Solubility Product (Ksp)
Suggested Labs: What Happens to an Equilibrium System When it is Disturbed? (micro),
Measuring Ka of Ascetic Acid (Modern p. 628) and (micro)
Unit 5: Electrochemistry: Oxidation-Reduction (Test date: Thurs. 10/24)
 Determining oxidation states
 Oxidation-vs-reduction
 Balancing redox reactions in acidic and basic solution
 Cell potential and Galvanic cells
 Electrolysis and electroplating
Suggested labs: Electroplating a Penny, Electrolysis of Copper II Chloride or Potassium Iodide
(micro), Constructing a Voltaic Cell (Modern p. 678)
Unit 6: Organic nomenclature
Part 1: Branched hydrocarbons – alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes (test date: Thurs. 11/7)
 Introduction to Organic Chemistry
 Structural conventions
 Alkane nomenclature, branched
 Alkenes, alkynes, and mixed
 Cycloalkanes
 Aromatic compounds
 Halides in organic compounds
Part 2: Functional Groups (Test date: Thurs. 11/14)
 Alcohols
 Amines
 Ethers, ketones, aldehydes
 Esters and carboxylic acids
Suggested Labs: Model building ,How Much Casein can be Isolated from Milk? (micro), Synthesis
of Esters (micro)
Unit 7: Structure and Bonding (Test date: TBA)
 3D structural representations
 Bonding orbitals
 Formal charge and polarity
 Intermolecular forces
 Resonance and contributor stability
 Structural isomers
 Geometric isomers
 Properties of functional groups
Suggested Labs: Polymers and Toy Balls (modern p. 748)
Unit 8: Stereochemistry
 Chirality
 R vs S configuration
 Geometric isomers
 Conformational isomers
 Types of stereoisomers
Unit 9: Organic acids and bases
 Acid/base mechanisms
 Acidity and structure
 Nucleophiles, Electrophiles
 Mechanisms: substitution, electrophylic addition, elimination reaction