So the weather held of and we were very fortunate to have class today :) I began class by discussing some issues we had in the lab in calculating Ksp. One main idea that I want to emphasize to everyone in this class is to "Think like a chemist." Don't simply go through the motions and calculate numbers in the lab. These numbers have meaning and I want you to see the underlying meaning behind them. Chemistry can be so frustrating because students rarely appreciate where the numbers and formulas come from. I want you to see how everything relates together. The solubility chapter overlaps so much with the Thermochem chapter and has many applications in the transition metal unit.
We finished the Thermochem unit by discussing the "Chelate Effect," which takes experimental values obtained in the synthesis of transition metal complexes and relates them to the overall entropy of a particular reaction. This effect is seen in cases where polydentate ligands replace monodentate ligands in transition metal complexes. The "A Closer Look" box on pages 1021-1022 describes this theory into more detail.
The next unit we will discuss is electrochemistry. Electrochemists study and try to manipulate the flow of electrons. This is seen in almost every practical material involving electricity. The main principle I want everyone to keep in the back of their minds is: How can a chemist manipulate the flow of electrons. Once we understand this concept we can then go on to bigger and better problems such as assembling a battery or electrochemical cell to power anything from an electronic device to an automobile.
Songs played before class:
Owl City - Fireflies
All Time Low - Weightless
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