Science 12/21/2011

We are completing the presentations of the State Technology Assessment. Lots of learning about biodiversity, biotechnology, and natural disasters. The products and presentations are better than they have been in the past - way to go 8th graders!


We had been observing a banana over the course of a month to see how it changes (physical and chemical.) I'm adding a pic that compares the banana when we began and when we ended.

Here's hoping that everyone has a good time and safe travel during the break.  

Science 12/12/2011

1st week of the Technology has passed. Students should have completed all of their research for their topic at this point.

Here is what is planned for this week -
Monday - How to create a good presentation and time to start a Google Presentation
Tuesday - Work on  Google Presentation
Wednesday - Demonstrate how to insert a link and working on Google Presentation
Thursday - Demonstrate BibMe for citations and work on Google Presentation
Friday - Demonstrate how to use speaker notes, good presentation skills and work on Google Presentation

Next week - Present their research and Google Presentation
Presentation order will be drawn randomly

Science 12/5/2011

8th Graders started the State Technology Assessment today.

They will be researching a topic from the book "High Noon, 20 Global Problems and 20 Years to Solve Them" by Jean-francois Rischard.

They will be researching a topic/problem this week.

Next week they will determine their solution and create a presentation about it.

Then the week before Christmas they will be sharing the presentation with their fellow students and select faculty.

So be sure to ask an 8th Grader about it.

Click here to see the prensetation Mrs. Bartlett shared with them. To see the speaker notes, comments on the slides,  click on the "face" to the lower right of the screen.

Science 12/01/2011

Study guide for Chemistry Content Test Key:

What is the definition of matter?

            Mass and volume

What are some properties of matter?

            Density, color, shape, odor, texture, ductility, reactivity

What is the definition of a liquid?

            No definite shape, definite volume

What is the definition of a gas?

            No definite shape, no definite volume

What is the definition of a solid?

            Definite shape, definite volume

What is the definition of plasma?

            No definite shape, no definite volume, particle broken apart

What are the indicators of a chemical change?

            Color change, bubbles or gas, heat or light, precipitants

What is the difference between a physical change and a chemical change?

Physical changes can often be undone, chemical can not be undone and are accompanied by a physical change

Give an example of a solution.

            Salt water

Give an example of a colloid.

            Jell-O, pearls, mayonnaise

Give an example of a suspension.
             Pond water

Give an example of an element.

            C, H, O, Mg, Hg, Uun

Give an example of a compound or molecule.

            NaCl, CO₂

What part of an atom has a positive charge?

            Proton

What part of an atom has a negative charge?

            Electron

What part of an atom is neutral?

            Neutron

What is in the nucleus?

            Protons and neutrons

The valance shell?

            Electrons

How many protons in magnesium?

            12

How many neutrons in magnesium?

            12

How many electrons in magnesium?

            12

Which element has 21 protons?

            Scandium

What is the atomic number of H-3?

            1

What is the atomic mass or mass number of H-3?

            3

How many neutrons in a H atom?

            0

A H-2 atoms?

            1

A H-3 atom?

            2

What is a neutral or stable atoms?

            When the number of protons and electrons are equal

A positive ion?

            An atom with more protons than electrons

A negative ion?

            An atoms with more electrons than protons

How many protons in Ca?

            20

How many neutrons in Ca?

            20

How many electrons in Ca?

            20

Is H-3 an ion or an isotope?

            Isotope

How many electrons in the valance shell of Na?

            1

How many electrons in the valance shell of Cl?

            7

What is the charge of Na in NaCl?

            + or +1

What is the charge of Cl in NaCl?

            - or -1

Which is an element - Na, NaCl, Na + Cl -> NaCl, or 3Na⁺Cl^- ?

            Na

Which is a compound - Na, NaCl, Na + Cl -> NaCl, or 3Na⁺Cl^- ?

            NaCl

Which is a chemical formula – Na, NaCl, Na + Cl -> NaCl, or 3Na⁺Cl^- ?

            3Na⁺Cl^-

Which is a chemical equation – Na, NaCl, Na + Cl -> NaCl, or 3Na⁺Cl^- ?

            Na + Cl -> NaCl

Where are the metals on the periodic table?

            Left of the stair step line

the metalloids?

            On the stair step line

the non-metals?

            Right of the stair step line

What group or family is Mg in?

            Alkaline Earth metals

Cu?

            Transition metals

Cl?

            Halogens           

K?

            Alkali metals

Ne?

            Noble Gasses

What is a period?

            The horizontal rows

What is a group or family?

            The columns or vertical rows

How many elements in 3H₂SO₄?

            3

What are they?

            Hydrogen, Sulfur, Oxygen

What is the co-efficient(s) in 3H₂SO₄?

            3

What is the subscript(s)?

            2 and 4

How many atoms in 3H₂SO₄?

            21

How many for each element?

            H-6, S-3, O-12

What type of bonding is in CO₂?

            Covalent

NaCl?

            Ionic

Which bonding shares electrons?

            Covalent

Transfers electrons?

            Ionic

Has them floating freely among the atoms?

            Metallic

What factors affect reaction rates?

         Temperature, concentration, catalyst, surface area (particle size)

Science 11/22/2011

EXAMPLES OF CHEMICAL REACTIONS

SYNTHESIS/COMPOSITION                  2H₂ + O₂ à 2H₂O

DECOMPOSITION                           2KClO₃ à 2KCl + 3O₂

SINGLE REPLACEMENT                  2Al + 3NiBr₃ à 2AlBr₃ + 3Ni

DOUBLE REPLACEMENT                  AgNO₃ + KCl à AgCl + KNO₃

VOCABULARY

CHEMICAL FORMULA – a shorthand way to show a compound or molecule

CHEMICAL EQUATION – shorthand description of a chemical reaction

CHEMICAL REACTION – the process of when substances undergo changes to produce new substances

REACTANTS – what you begin with in a chemical reaction

PRODUCTS – what you end with in a chemical reaction

SYNTHESIS/COMPOSITION REACTION – when you begin with two or more simple substance and produce a complex substance

DECOMPOSITION REACTION – when you begin with a complex substance and produce two or more simple substances

SINGLE-REPLACEMENT REACTION – when a single element switches places with an element in a compound

DOUBLE-REPLACEMENT REACTION - when a two elements switch places with each other in a two compounds

IONIC BOND – bonding between a metal and a non-metal when electrons are transferred from the metal to the non-metal

COVALENT BOND – bonding between non-metals when electron pairs are shared

11/11/2011

No pictures this week. We've been learning about chemical bonding. It is quite an abstract idea and it is giving us a challenge. We went to ExploreLearning and used their online simulations to help us. Check it out at -

http://www.explorelearning.com/

Type "bonding" in the search bar and you will be directed to ionic and covalent bonding Gizmos. We did both simulations. We will be moving on to chemical reactions this week.

Science 11/4/2011

The classroom has been quiet today as students have busy showing what they know about atoms and the periodic table (on today's test.) One class was done early enough to play a review game on the symbols for the elements on the periodic table.

Students have been fascinated with the barometer today. It is overflowing, predicting rain for early next week. We'll see if that happens.

Science 10/31/2011

Been working on atoms. We have a song that we are learning but it isn't ready for prime time, so I'll just post the lyrics and some pics of us practicing. We will have a test over atoms on Friday, Nov. 4.

 

Science 10/20/2011

Well, another week has gone by. Thought I'd let you know what we have been doing.

First, was to learn about mixtures and experience how they can be physically separated. 

 

How do you separate iron filings, salt and sand?

The magnet removed the iron filings, the salt is soluble in water allowing us to filter out the sand.

The water was boiled off, leaving the salt behind.

 We then looked at solutions, colloids and suspensions.

Everyday examples.

Then we had some fun with colloids.
 

Mixing white glue solution and borax suspension.

 

Playing with the results.

Corn starch and water is always a fun way to show non-Newtonian fluids.

Science 10/12

PHMS received Standard of Excellence on ALL seven state assessments. Way to go Cougars!

We have started looking an overview graphic organizer of Matter. We will be working on it for several weeks. We just finished a graphic organize of the Phases of Matter. We used the Boyle's and Charles' Law Gizmo to see the Laws in action.

The Matter graphic organizer before we started.

What it will look like in a couple of weeks.

Information about each phase.

Phases and phase changes graphic organizer.

Iodine gong from a solid to a gas.

Japanese Class 10/5/2011

After watching Sadako and the 1,000 Paper Cranes, we started learning how to fold origami. We began with samurai helments, which are very easy. We were all successful!

Folding the last step.

Success - 8 students and 8 helmets!

Science 10/5/2011

Today we practiced measuring and reviewed our understanding of mass and volume. We used balances, scales, beakers, graduated cylinders, rulers, and a variety of objects.

16 different items were measured.

Remember balancing a teeter-totter?

How accurate is the flask?

Do the two liquids have the same mass?

Math in Science class????

10 burners would need how much fuel?

Science 9/27/11

Hi-

We've spent the last couple of days learning about independent and dependent variables, physical and chemical properties. We'll have a TEST over these concepts on Thursday, Sept. 29. Students received their study guide in class today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mixing a shampoo solution to measure foaming ability.

Let's see what happens when we add vinegar.