Items Due During Week 4:
Section L1: Due in Recitation on Monday, October 12 at 1:10 PM in AC 2501:
Section L2: Due in Recitation on Tuesday, October 13 at 8:30 AM in AC 2607:
Section L3: Due in Recitation on Wednesday, October 14 at 1:10 PM in AC 2501:
Section L4: Due in Recitation on Friday, October 16 at 1:10 PM in AC 2501:
All Sections:
This week we will be exploring spectroscopy, the study of electromagnetic radiation (i.e. light) when it interacts with matter. This is a fascinating field with lots of implications for not only chemistry but the world in general... and it is one of my favorite chapters. We will also look at nomenclature, the naming of compounds in chemistry. The polyatomic ions must be learned, and to help, I recommend checking out the "Common Polyatomic Ions and the Corresponding Acids" handout. Some or most of this material might be new to you, so spend some time watching the videos, reading the textbook, etc... and let me know if you have any questions!
Here's what is happening in week 4 of CH 221:
- Explore the material in Chapter 3. There are several tools to help you learn the material.... they include:
- Due: Problem
Set #3 which covers problems from Chapter 3.
- Use this link to get the Fall 2026 version of problem set #3, and use this link to find the recitation video which you can use to self correct your work before turning in to the instructor.
- Practice Problem Set #3 might be of help while completing problem set #3; answers are included at the end of the document.
- This Week: Seminar Self Quiz #3 and the (actual) Quiz #3
- All quizzes (Seminar Self Quizzes and actual Quizzes, as well as midterm exams and finals) are closed book / no notes allowed. You cannot use a cell phone or computer; you can have a dedicated calculator and a periodic table (which I will provide) only.
- First, take Seminar Self Quiz #3. You will have 20-30 minutes to complete the quiz, and afterwards we will self correct the Quiz as a class before turning it in. If you are late, or do not attend recitation for any reason, your score will be a zero on the Seminar Self Quiz.
- After taking the Seminar Self Quiz, you will take the actual Quiz #3. Quiz #3 will take about 30 minutes and consist of several 'show your work' questions. Turn in the quiz when done (I will pass back any corrected work I have for you at this time.)
- Sample Quiz #3 (answers at the end) might be useful to help you prepare and study.
- Due The Chemical Nomenclature lab.
- Bring the completed lab with you to recitation
- Start: The Hydrogen Spectrum Lab.
- Due: The Chemistry and the Library assignment.
Here's a preview of what's happening during Week #5:
- Midterm Exam I
-
This midterm exam covers problem sets #1, #2 and #3 (essentially Chapters 1, 2 and 3.)
- The midterm will have 12 multiple choice questions and four short answer questions. You will not need a scantron to complete the exam, but you will need to mark your answers clearly on the exam itself. You will have 90 minutes to complete the midterm exam.
- The midterm exam will be closed book; no notes are allowed. You will be able to use your calculator and a periodic table (which I will provide.)
- The first and last pages of the exam deserve some comment. The first page of the midterm will include an integrity statement that you will be required to sign. Signing the integrity statement implies that you have not received (and will not be giving) any information on the midterm exam to others that might imply cheating; a failure to sign the integrity statement grants an automatic score of zero, so make sure the first thing you do is to sign the statement. The last page of the midterm exam will be a scoring page which will be filled out by the instructor when the exam has been graded; you do not need to complete anything on this page. An example of the integrity statement and grading sheet can be found here: link
- Midterm Exam I details by section of CH 221:
- Section L1 will take the midterm on Monday, October 19 at 1:10 PM in AC 2501.
- Section L2 will take the midterm on Tuesday, October 20 at 8:30 AM in AC 2607.
- Section L3 will take the midterm on Wednesday, October 21 at 1:10 PM in AC 2501.
- Section L4 will take the midterm on Friday, October 23 at 1:10 PM in AC 2501.
- To Study and Prepare for Midterm Exam I:
- Watch the Complete Lecture of an Exam Review for the first Midterm Exam here: Midterm Exam I Review
- Lecture videos for the Exam Review for the first Midterm Exam will be available on YouTube and as a Podcast.
- A sample exam is available on the Chemistry
221 website under Quizzes
and Exams.
Also happening during Week 5 in CH 221:
- Due: The Exam Prep I worksheet.
- This week we will not have a problem set, seminar self quiz or regular quiz, but you will need to complete the Exam Prep I worksheet.
- The Exam Prep I worksheet consists of several problems followed by the answer; your goal will be to 'show your work' (in detailed steps) how to go from the question to the final answer. If you have questions on how to do this, you can reach out for assistance to the LSC center or the instructor.
- The Exam Prep I worksheet will be due at the time of your midterm exam I.
- Due: The Hydrogen Spectrum Lab.
- Bring the completed lab with you to recitation
- Start: The Identification of an Unknown Compound Lab.
- Heads up: Next week the Rough Draft Class Presentation Paper on your reserved element will be due ... more info can be found here (link).
