Our latest chemistry endeavors have been focused on investigating oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions.  In doing such, students have used the insights gathered in class to prepare a lab to analyze the reaction between copper and silver nitrate.  

Day 1 of experimentation began last Friday, and the guiding questions for the activities are available below.  

Yesterday we picked up where we left off, making additional observations and preparing for our final findings.  The second day's procedure, as well as reporting prompts for the lab analysis, are provided below.

For our last day, we will obtain our actual mass of silver recovered and compare it to our theoretical calculation.  

Congratulations to students for completing the CAHSEE this week!

We are spending the remaining of the week wrapping up some experimentation and reviewing math and chemistry concepts.

To finalize our first lab - Crystallizations of Common Ionic Compounds, students are to reflect in their lab notebooks according to the following prompts.  These reflections are due by Friday, February 8.

Today we completed the laboratory exercise that we began last Thursday.  Last week we worked in class to collect data, and today we practiced techniques to analyze what we gathered.  

If needed, below is a copy of the lab.  Although we worked in groups, be sure to turn in an individual lab report by tomorrow (Tuesday October 8th).  

In addition to turning in a written lab from your group work, reflect on your experience and respond to the following prompts below by replying to this post.  

1. What did you learn, or find significant, from this lab experience? 
2. How might this lab experience help you in future learning?
3. This type of laboratory work is sometimes referred to as pre-scripted, or cookbook-like. Why do you think it is called this? 
4. What type of science work would you describe as not being pre-scripted, or cookbook-like?
5. Later in our course, you will get the opportunity to design your own experiment.  What do you think will be necessary to do this?

 Well-constructed responses are expected.  Take some time to reflect on each of the prompts, and try to be thoughtful and careful in preparing your responses (organize your ideas and check for spelling and grammar).  I look forward to reading your insights!

Also, you have been assigned a partner from the other half of our team.  Reply briefly to their post, either by adding your thoughts, or commenting on one of their responses.  Below is the list of student pairings.  

Type or paste your responses to the following questions in the comments for this post by class on Tuesday Sept. 4th.  

For Part I:

1. Do you believe "Oobleck" is a solid or a liquid?
     - Use your observations.
     - What information did you gather from your experience with it that led to
       your decision?

2.  Propose an explanation to the mechanics behind Oobleck's behavior.  Try to use insight from your understanding of molecules in solids and liquids.

For Part II.

1.  What did you notice when you placed a piece of dry ice into water?
2.  What simple ratio did you find?
3.  What does that simple ratio tell you about the difference in distances between molecules in solids and gases?

You only need to supply a paragraph or two for each Part to address these questions.  It does not have to be a huge report - just try to make it clear and concise.

If you need to look at the activity again, it is available in the links section here: