2: Basic Concepts of Quantitative Reasoning
Introductory chemistry is not mysterious: It requires simple quantitative reasoning that comes naturally to most students. You learn about the types of numbers involved in chemistry and how to solve problems commonly encountered in high school chemistry.
3: Quantitative Reasoning in Everyday Life
Only a handful of important ideas must be mastered in order to be successful at solving chemistry problems. In this lecture, you review some basic guidelines for approaching any chemistry problem and try out your skills on a few sample problems that demonstrate how you can use everyday reasoning in your chemistry class.
4: Quantitative Reasoning in Chemistry-Density
Building on the ideas explored in the first three lectures, you examine a fundamental quantitative measurement in chemistry, density, and explore the real-world meaning of this measurement. You then solidify your understanding of this concept by working some basic density problems.
5: The SI (Metric) System of Measurement
Next, you continue to lay a strong foundation for your understanding of chemistry by learning about one of the key tools you'll be using: the International System of Units (SI), or the metric system. This lecture explains why this system is so useful to scientists and lays out the prefixes and units of measurement that make up the metric system.
7: Elements, Atoms, and the Periodic Table
In the next three lectures, you cover some fundamental topics that you'll need before you can launch into your study of chemistry. You examine the basic building blocks of matter-elements and the atoms that constitute them-and you learn how to interpret the information about elements presented in the periodic table
8: Ions, Compounds, and Interpreting Formulas
Learn about protons, electrons, and neutrons; how ions are formed from atoms; how these ions can combine to form compounds; and how you can determine the formulas of these compounds. Some molecular substances are discussed and you are introduced to the final number associated with every element-its atomic weight.
9: Isotopes and Families of Elements
Discover how isotopes, which are different atoms of the same element, can actually differ in their weight because they contain different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei. Also, learn how different kinds of elements are grouped into both general categories (such as metals and nonmetals) as well as specific chemical "families," which then are arranged into the periodic table.
12: Avogadro's Hypothesis and Molar Volume
After mastering the mole, you move on to a related concept: the "molar volume," or the amount of space occupied by one mole. You apply this understanding of molar volume as you examine Avogadro's Hypothesis, a principle concerning the molar volume of gases.
23: An Introduction to the Equilibrium Constant
By tracking and graphing a hypothetical reaction as it approaches a state of equilibrium, you gain a deeper understanding of the essential characteristics of equilibrium systems. Then, you're introduced to the single most important expression used to solve equilibrium problems: the equilibrium constant.
25: Le Chatelier's Principle-Concentration
Before you can solve equilibrium problems, you need to understand what happens to an equilibrium system when conditions are changed. You learn about a fundamental idea-Le Chatelier's Principle-which lays the groundwork for a broader understanding of equilibrium.
27: An Introduction to Equilibrium Problems
You use your basic understanding of equilibrium systems to try to solve some problems. You tackle two kinds of equilibrium problems: ones in which you are asked to calculate the equilibrium constant for an equation, and ones in which you are asked to find the equilibrium concentration of a reactant or product.
30: Solving Strong Acid and Base Problems
You gain a deeper understanding of acids, bases, and pH by working several sample problems. These exercises help clarify the difference between strong and weak acids and bases and between the idea of a "strong" concentration versus a "strong" acid or base.
33: Titration Curves and Indicators
Acid-base indicators, which change color when a solution switches from acid to base and back again, provide a striking demonstration of the transformation that occurs during titration. Learn how to use these indicators to determine the equivalence point of a titration, and examine what happens when you graph these reactions.
34: Solubility Equilibria-Principles, Problems
After learning about equilibrium systems, you move on to a particular type of system: "solubility equlibria," or the equilibria found in saturated solutions of slightly soluble ionic solids. You explore this concept as you practice solving a variety of related problems.
35: Solubility Equilibria-Common Ion Effect
Your study of solubility equilibria continues with some advanced practice problems. Here, you encounter the last major type of equilibrium problem. To solve these problems, you revisit Le Chatelier's Principle and learn about some of the pitfalls to avoid when dealing with these kinds of equilibrium systems.
I hope you choose to join our family of students in high school, college, home school, and those who want to learn just for learning's sake. Helping students has been my life's mission and I'd love to try and help you as well.
ALMA MATER
INSTITUTION
About Frank Cardulla
Professor Frank Cardulla taught at Niles North High School in Skokie, IL, from 1964 to 1999. He subsequently taught at Lake Forest High School and Libertyville High School. Professor Cardulla earned both his B.S. in Teaching of Chemistry with honors and his M.S. in Teaching of Physical Sciences from the University of Illinois. He has received the National Catalyst Award for Outstanding Chemistry Teaching, a Presidential Award for Science Teaching, and the National James Bryant Conant Award. Additionally, he has received citations from institutions such as MIT and the University of Chicago for being named most influential teacher" by attending students. He has taught a wide variety of high school science courses
