Week 1&2 Reflection

        To begin our exploration of SG Chemistry 2, my class started out by reviewing many of the principle concepts learned throughout SG Chemistry 1. First, we completed three unit study guides which highlighted the main ideas in each unit. In the Unit 1 study guide, we defined mass as the amount of "stuff" an object contains and volume as the amount of space an object takes up. Generally, mass is measured in grams (g) or kilograms (kg) and volume is measured in centimeters cubed (cm^3) or milliliters (mL). We also recalled that centimeters cubed and milliliters are directly related; 1 cm^3 is equal to 1 mL. This conversion makes it simple to transition from one unit of volume to the other when necessary. A final idea we reviewed in the Unit 1 study guide was that the mass of an object divided by its volume is equal to the density of that object. Density can be referred to as the "compactness" of a substance and each individual substance has its own, unique level of "compactness". This means that by looking at an object's density, you can figure out what substance that object is made up of. After completing and discussing the Unit 1 study guide as a class, we moved on to Unit 2. While reviewing the Unit 2 study guide, we recalled that particle movement is a result of, or results in, changes in pressure, volume, or temperature. Any factor that affects the number of collisions in a substance impacts the pressure, so pressure, volume, and temperature are all interrelated As the temperature of a substance increases, the faster the particles move due to the addition of heat, causing more collisions between the particles, and an increase in pressure. This means that temperature and pressure are directly related. As the volume of a substance decreases, there is less room for the particles to move, causing an increase in the number of collisions between the particles, and resulting in an increase of pressure. In contrast to temperature and pressure, volume and pressure are inversely related. The final unit we reviewed was Unit 3, which we discussed as a group after our Unit 2 study guide. We recalled the concept of energy, which is defined as a "substance-like" quantity that can be stored and transferred in physical systems. Energy stored by particles is called thermal energy, energy stored due to particle arrangement is phase energy, and energy stored due to particle attractions is called chemical energy. We used these ideas of energy to help us review our energy bar charts and our heating/cooling curves. The review of Unit 1, Unit 2, and Unit 3 of SG Chemistry 1 was a helpful was to jog our memories of the significant concepts that will help us to better understand SG Chemistry 2.
        To start off our first unit of SG Chemistry 2, we had to begin by defining some key vocabulary words. In small groups, we worked together to clarify the meanings of molecules, atoms, particles, compounds, mixtures, pure substances, and elements. Attached is an image of the definitions we came up with:

At the end of the week, we also talked about the properties of matter. Matter has many properties; texture, shape, size, etc. However, the most important properties of matter are the ones that we can measure. In our small groups, we brainstormed the properties of matter that can be measured, and added to our list as the class shared their ideas. Here is the final list we came up with:

        Though our first two weeks of SG Chemistry 2 were mainly a review of SG Chemistry 1, we discussed many significant and prominent concepts of chemistry that will guide us to success during the course of the trimester.