Stoichiometry Isn't That Bad

Chemistry is a world full of confusion and frustration. There are math equations, physics equations, and maybe even general knowledge that you never wanted to know. For the most part, I've hated chemistry because of the confusion but I always loved labs involving different solutions. Naturally when I heard about stoichiometry, I just whined and said, "Another way of making my head hurt." But to much of my surprise, I actually really like stoichiometry! It's so much easier than anything else we've learned. Once you get the hang of it, all is good. I'm so happy that this is the stuff we're studying for the next few weeks :D Here's the base of how to convert anything. It doesn't apply to stoichiometry directly but it does show how to convert.

BUBBLES!!

Today we did this really cool demonstration with bubbles! The bubbles were of CO2 I think and it was incredible because we set them on fire!! I was amazed at how they just burst into flames. Haha it's kind of a play on words if you think about it by the way. Bubbles...bursting into flames :) So anyways, the reaction when you put a flame with CO2 bubbles is so cool! I actually didn't know that CO2 was so flammable, was I supposed to? Then as the bubbles burst up into flames, they just floated up into the ceiling and disappeared. There are different ways to light bubbles on fire as well. Bubbles truly are my best friend.

cBook Knows Right From Wrong??

Who would have thought that these cBooks would be so useful aside from Mr. Olson himself? It's actually a really good idea. I like using the books because it helps me to memorize information in a very organized way. Plus we got to use it on the test. That's practically like an open book test. I loved it!! The doors really do work! Writing all the info down and having to cut them out gets bare irritating but for the most part all is well :) I especially love that the cBooks are worth 50 points. It gives people like me who don't always do well on tests or packets a chance to make up for those minor setbacks. The cBook really is my best friend haha.

New Chapter Thing

I like this new unit of balancing equations and stuff. It's actually pretty interesting. I feel like NOW I'm in a chemistry class. We do more fun labs dealing with different chemical substances and fires of many sizes...it's a very exciting life we live, isn't it? At first I didn't understand how to balance an equation. I didn't know that coefficients make all the difference. Or actually I knew that coefficients are how you balance an equation but I just didn't know how to figure out which number goes where. Now I get it though so I actually know what I'm writing in my packets. Of course I still get confused sometimes on occasion but for the most part I'm a happy camper :D

Chem Test

We just took the chemistry test. It couldn't be that bad because I understand most of the stuff...the vocabulary and the main ideas of solutions...but when it comes to measurements and trying to figure out how to solve the equations, I'm lost. I've tried to do most of the stuff like find out molarity and M1V1=M2V2. Doing these equations, I succeeded quite nicely but when it comes to try and figure out how to convert grams to moles, oh my god! Just thinking about this frustrates me because I know that I didn't do well on the test. All in all, I just try to avoid thinking about it in general.

Unsaturated vs. Saturated

We're discussing the difference between a solution that can take more of a solute than what you've already put in. Its another one of those pretty simple concepts that just happens to become confusing all of a sudden sooner or later. For now though, it's all good :) Unsaturated is when a solution can take more of a solute and still be able to dissolve it perfectly. Saturated, on the other hand, is when a solution has taken in about all of the solute it can dissolve. Why this happens, I'm not sure. But I do know that if you're trying to mix salt [the solute] and water [the solvent] and it mixes perfectly then the solution you're left with is unsaturated because it can handle more salt. Yeee!!