Honors Chemistry
Mr. Principe
Welcome to Honors Chemistry and the 2016-17 school year! I am looking forward to a great year and hope you are too. This is a thorough and challenging introductory chemistry course. Staying organized and having good study habits are essential for you to earn a good grade.
Text: Introductory Chemistry: A Foundation, 5th ed., 2004. It is not necessary to bring your book to class every day. A classroom set of texts is available.
Topics covered: (General outline. Specifics will be identified when each topic is covered.)
Intro/Measurements and Calculations Ch 1, 2 Atomic Theory Ch 10
Matter and Energy Ch 3 Chemical Bonding Ch 11
Chemical Foundations Ch 4 Gases Ch 12
Nomenclature Ch 5 Liquids and Solids Ch 13
Chemical Reactions Ch 6, 7, Solutions Ch 14
17-1 to 17-5 Acids and Bases Ch 15
Chemical Composition Ch 8 Chemical Equilibrium Ch 16
Chemical Quantities Ch 9 Radioactivity and Nuclear Energy Ch 18
As an honors student you can expect that we will cover more of the chapter material and in greater depth than in the regular chemistry course. Material from outside sources may also be used. It is expected that you are familiar with the metric system of measurement. If not, refresh your knowledge or see me for help.
Supplies needed for class: Notebook for class notes and handouts, pens/pencils, calculator. Graphing calculators may not be used while taking tests.
Grading policy: Eighty percent of your grade will come from tests, quizzes and labs. Twenty percent will come from all other graded work. Students will receive a zero for any test or work missed due to an unexcused absence. Homework or assignments not turned in at the start of class on the due date will be given a grade of zero. There is no half-credit for late work. You are expected to get your work done on time. Generally, homework is graded only for completion. To earn an A grade you must do well on tests, quizzes and labs and complete all homework assignments on time.
To see your grade, go to PASS. I do not post grades in the room. Please do not ask me to look up your PASS grade for you. If you want to discuss your grade we can meet at a mutually agreeable time.
Grading Scale: 89.5 – 100 = A; 79.5 – 89.4 = B; 69.5 – 79.4 = C; 59.5 – 69.4 = D; 59.4 and below = F
Absence make-up work: There will be one day of make-up time for tests and assignments per each day of an excused absence. For lengthy excused absences work will be made up on a mutually agreed upon schedule. Whenever you have been absent you are responsible for checking the homework posting on my web page for missed assignments and important classroom instructions.
Academic expectations: Students are expected to actively participate in class by taking notes, working on assigned class work, participating in discussions, responding to and asking questions. If you have trouble with any of the material presented in class, or do not understand homework problems, see me for additional help before you get too far behind. I will gladly help students before class, after school, or by appointment. Please note: I do not give additional or extra-credit work to individual students to raise poor grades at the end of a quarter.
Classroom/lab behavior: Students are expected to comply with all standards of behavior in accordance with Strongsville High School policy. Any instance of cheating, i.e., copying someone else’s work (to include homework), or plagiarism, etc., will result in a grade of zero for that assignment.
Students are expected to comply with all lab safety practices for their safety and that of their classmates. Inappropriate behavior in the lab will result in expulsion from the lab and a grade of zero for the assignment.
No food is permitted in the classroom or lab in accordance with school policy. Bottled water is permitted in the classroom but not the lab. Phones are to be kept off your desk during class (it’s just common courtesy).
The tardy policy will be enforced. Be in the room at the bell, not in the hallway. Take your seat promptly.
You must have your planner passbook to request a pass out of class for anything other than the restroom.
Enjoy your year in chemistry! J
Contact information: For voice-mail and Homework Hotline announcements call 268-5615
E-mail:
My Webpage at www.strongnet.org for copies of notes, assignments, homework, and
other useful information. (Go to SHS, then Teachers, find my name.)
Tips for Success in Chemistry:
1. Chemistry knowledge is cumulative. You cannot forget previously tested material in this course. What you learn throughout the year is used throughout the entire year.
2. Learn to read effectively. Chemistry is full of new terms and concepts that may be very hard to understand. Make sure you use the glossary in the back of the book to help define a term properly. Put terms in their proper context in the text to understand how it is being used. It helps to know the origins of a word to better understand its meaning. For example: What does “exothermic” mean? Use a dictionary to determine that exo- means “out of”, and -thermic refers to heat. Exothermic, therefore, is a term for a type of reaction that releases heat.
3. Know how to use your calculator. You must know how to use scientific notation in problem solving and how to enter numbers written in scientific notation into your calculator. Never assume that the answer in the calculator window is correct. Mistakes are all too often made when students enter numbers into a calculator without writing out the equation first. A calculator is only a tool; it does not substitute for logical thinking.
4. Develop your problem-solving skills. Chemistry uses conversion formulas and basic algebra to solve a variety of problems. Take the time to write out formulas completely, including all units that correspond to a number. When units cancel out properly in an equation you know you’re likely to get the right answer. When units do not cancel out as they should the answer will be wrong. When using scientific notation, learn how to estimate a “ballpark” answer to a problem to the nearest power of ten before actually solving the problem.
Your first assignments:
Element names and symbols to memorize. Numbers 1-38, 40, 47, 48, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 56, 74, 78, 79, 80, 82, 83, 86, 88 and 92 on the periodic table. For example: C = carbon, iron = Fe, etc. There will be a quiz on these elements within a couple of weeks. I suggest you use flashcards to help you memorize.
Polyatomic ions list. You must memorize the names and formulas of a selected group of polyatomic ions (provided separately). There will be a quiz on these in a few weeks. You are expected to know these names and formulas for all tests/quizzes throughout the year.