SG Chem 2 - First Blog 9/18/15

     This week we learned about the difference between atoms, particles, and molecules, along with the difference between pure substances, elements, mixtures, and compounds. To do this we did worked in table groups on a sheet called the "Classification of Matter." The front page showed nine boxes with different shapes inside them. Each individual shape represented an atom, then atoms were combined together (by a chemical bond) to form a molecule. The amount of molecules in the area represented the number of particles in each box. After identifying each of these things we figured out which boxes were pure substances vs. which were mixtures and which boxes were elements vs. compounds.    
     Last year in Chem one,  my class was able to get to unit four, because of this I vaguely remember completing this sheet but I realized I had forgotten a lot of the information in this lesson. I found it helpful to go over the information again and the picture examples (the boxes on the front) really helped me get a better understanding of what each part was and how they connected to each other.
     One thing I find difficult to remember is the which type of atoms are compounds and which are mixtures. I can't remember if it's compounds are the ones that use "&" or if they are the ones that are "squished" together (vice versa with the mixtures). Another thing that I still struggle with is taking the information we learned about the difference between mixtures, compounds, elements, and pure substances and applying them to example pictures, such as what we did on the back of Unit 4 Worksheet 1. I was able to identify everything in the first row of boxes, but once I got to the second row, when the atoms starting forming shapes and condensing together, I got a little confused on which category each box would go into. I think with a little more practice I will be able correctly identify each category.
    An interesting experiment that we did in class was we took a sugar cube and put it in water, then we took another sugar cube and placed it in ethanol, then we took the last sugar cube and put it in a mixture of ethanol and water. We observed what happened to the sugar cubes in each liquid. In the water the sugar cube started to dissolve, in the ethanol the sugar cube sustained its form, and in the mixture some of the cube dissolved while most of it stayed intact. We learned even after a year the sugar would still stay in that form. 

Before

After

      I believe I participated a decent amount in the class, mostly in the table discussions. I try to help my table members when they need help and I contribute when I can. Sometimes when I don't understand a concept or am unsure of an answer I don't add my ideas to the conversation as much because I'm not sure what to say.