Elements and the periodic table are integral to Chemistry, and for that matter, well, matter, as everything is made up of elements, which are made up of atoms (except the living bodies, which are made up of cells). Water is made up of two hydrogen atoms, and one oxygen atom. Oxygen gas is made up of oxygen ions. Carbon dioxide is made up of a carbon atom and two oxide ions, which can told from the prefix "di". An interesting compound to note is dihydrogen monoxide. It may sound intimidating, but it only refers to H2O, or water. This caused a scare, and the problem was that people did not understand, and assumed that it was something poisonous. This has taught me to find out the full situation first, in case I get it wrong.
As of May 2011, 118 elements have been identified, and of the 118, only the first 94 are known to occur naturally on earth. Of these 94, 80 are stable, and the rest are radioactive. Additional elements with higher atomic numbers have also been created technologically, as the products of nuclear reactions.
Each element has an atomic number, as well as an atomic mass, which represent different things. The atomic number represents the number of protons in the element's atom. The atomic mass is the number of protons, with the addition of the number of neutrons. There are also electrons, but the number of electrons is the same as the number of protons. Protons have a positive charge, while neutrons are neutral. Electrons are negative, and that is so as to balance off the positive charge, and create a neutral atom.
Chemistry has been an interesting topic, and I hope to be able to learn more about it.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Term 1
Term 1 was focused on Chemistry, specifically elements, and the periodic table.We also learned about acids and alkalis, and also how chemical equations worked.
Elements are the building blocks of non-life, with the building blocks of life being cells. Everything is made up of elements. The oxygen we breathe, the carbon dioxide we exhale, and even the water we drink, is made up of elements. Oxygen is made up of well, oxygen atoms, carbon dioxide is made up of carbon and oxygen atoms, and water made up of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. As such, without elements, many things would not exist.
The periodic table is a useful tool, for it catalogs most, if not all of the elements, and even separates them into different groups and such, which classifies the different elements according to their characteristics. This makes it easier for scientists to predict the characteristics of undiscovered or unidentified elements.
Acids and alkalis exist everywhere, and many household items like toothpaste or cleaning liquid make use of acids or alkalis to work their magic. Acids also do much of our bodily functions. For example, our saliva is acidic, and the acid in our stomach is hydrochloric acid.
Chemical equations act like mathematical equations, when two or more elements combine to form compounds. Sometimes more is needed of one element, and chemical equations help us to balance out the elements and number required.
Chemistry was an interesting subject, and we did many practicals, which served to prove to us how the elements worked, and it was very memorable.
Elements are the building blocks of non-life, with the building blocks of life being cells. Everything is made up of elements. The oxygen we breathe, the carbon dioxide we exhale, and even the water we drink, is made up of elements. Oxygen is made up of well, oxygen atoms, carbon dioxide is made up of carbon and oxygen atoms, and water made up of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. As such, without elements, many things would not exist.
The periodic table is a useful tool, for it catalogs most, if not all of the elements, and even separates them into different groups and such, which classifies the different elements according to their characteristics. This makes it easier for scientists to predict the characteristics of undiscovered or unidentified elements.
Acids and alkalis exist everywhere, and many household items like toothpaste or cleaning liquid make use of acids or alkalis to work their magic. Acids also do much of our bodily functions. For example, our saliva is acidic, and the acid in our stomach is hydrochloric acid.
Chemical equations act like mathematical equations, when two or more elements combine to form compounds. Sometimes more is needed of one element, and chemical equations help us to balance out the elements and number required.
Chemistry was an interesting subject, and we did many practicals, which served to prove to us how the elements worked, and it was very memorable.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
A New Beginning
Change is ever present, and will always be so. My Lower Secondary Science (LSS) teacher has changed. It used to be Mr Low, who was very patient with all of us, even if we asked seemingly redundant questions. He tried to make sure everyone understood everything, and he was not so focused on the results as on the learning process. Thank you Mr Low. In 2011, we welcome Mr Chia , and Ms Tan, who taught us Biology in Term 2 while Mr Chia was in China. Otherwise, Mr Chia took us for Chemistry in Term 1, then Physics in Term 3. As for this term, I am unsure as tomorrow will be the first LSS lesson of the term. Mr Chia was very understanding, collecting homework later if necessary, however, some people take advantage of this, and this people do not understand the point behind it. Anyway, Mr Chia is also a patient teacher who brings us through all the concepts, explaining them if required, and explaining personally should anyone of us still not understand.
Good teachers are the key to good students. With the help of Mr Chia and Ms Tan, I am sure we will all do our best and excel at Science!
Good teachers are the key to good students. With the help of Mr Chia and Ms Tan, I am sure we will all do our best and excel at Science!
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