Scholars Chemistry Summer Assignment
Welcome to Chemistry!
In an effort to assist you towards preparing for your chemistry class, please introduce yourself to the following
concepts. The assignments were designed to be straightforward, simple, easy to locate and easy to comprehend.
You will be able to locate most solutions in your textbook or online. Most assignments were designed to prepare
you for key ideas. Other assignments were designed to broaden your appreciation of chemistry and the role it plays
in everyday life.
The assignment is due the first day of class. You will be tested on this information the second day of class.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected]. I will check my email biweekly (every other
week).
Element Names & Symbols
(7.5 pts) Complete the chart below (spelling counts) and tape into your assignment. It is highly recommended that
you spend a portion of your summer learning these names and symbols.
Symbol Name
H
Na
Potassium
Mg
Calcium
Iron
Ni
Cu
Silver
Gold
Zn
Hg
Aluminum
C
Silicon
Symbol Name
Tin
Pb
N
P
Oxygen
Sulfur
F
Cl
Bromine
Iodine
He
Ne
Argon
Xenon
Radon
Elements Facts
(12 pts) Use your birth day to determine the atomic number of the element you will research. For example, if you
were born on December 8th, you will research Atomic Number 8, which is OXYGEN. On the Internet, open either
http://www.chemicalelements.com/ or http://www-tech.mit.edu/chemicool/. Click on related links on the Web site to
find more information about your element. Find the following information about your element:
Atomic symbol _______________
Atomic number _______________
Atomic mass ________________
Electron configuration ____________________________________________
Number of neutrons _______________
Melting point _______________
Boiling point ________________
Color __________________
Date of discovery
Draw its atomic structure
Isotopes
Uses for your element
This element is obtained from
Create a poster (11x14) of the information found on the element. The poster should contain all of the information
that was found on the Internet and any additional information you would like to include. The poster should be very
colorful, very creative and very informative. Note: These posters will be used as classroom artwork.
Periodic Table
(6 pts) Obtain a copy of the Periodic Table from the Internet. The Periodic Table will become a very close
companion during the school year.
Locate metals, nonmetals & metalloids on the Periodic Table. Please shade in the sections of the Periodic Table,
preferably in the colors indicated: a) metals (red), b) nonmetals (blue), c) metalloids (yellow).
Next define the terms: a) metal, b) nonmetal, c) metalloid
Locate Groups & Periods on the Periodic Table. Indicate the direction of Groups via an arrow drawn on your
Periodic Table. Indicate the direction of Periods via an arrow drawn on your Periodic Table. Remember to label
your arrows.
Indicate the following Groups by writing their name in the appropriate location on your Periodic Table: a) halogens,
b) Noble gases, c) alkali metals, d) alkaline earth metals
Atoms
(4.5 pts) Complete the chart below.
Subatomic Particle Location
Proton
Neutron
Electron
Charge
Relative Mass
Science Is All Around Us
(5 pts) Locate two articles through “everyday” encounters (i.e., newspaper, magazine). Do not do Internet
searches of terms . The idea is for you to realize that science is around you at all times, even without you
searching. For example, do you recall recently hearing about the following: cadmium in children’s jewelry? high
fructose corn syrup? effects of ash on jet engines? mercury in tuna?
Write four or more sentences offering your opinions and comments on each topic you encountered, include why
the topic caught your interest. Be sure to include a copy of any article.
If you find this fun, then please keep going and create a journal. I enjoy reading other people’s comments about
science.
Introduction to Chemistry Questions
(25 pts) Answer the following. Full sentences are not needed, instead imply the question in the answer. For
example, do not answer, “gains electrons”, instead write “Li gains electrons”.
1) What is the chemical formula for ozone?
2) What elements are found in CFCs?
3) What are the properties of matter?
4) How is mass different from weight?
5) Determine which field of chemistry is most likely to do the following: a) study the compounds containing
carbon b) study the effect of mercury in living organisms
6) Why is the scientific method used?
7) How is qualitative data different from quantitative data? Provide an example of each type.
8) How does a hypothesis become a theory?
9) Define the term isotope.
10) What are the three isotopes of hydrogen?
11) What does the word “alkali” mean?
12) List some properties of the alkali metals.
13) List one use for five the following: a) Lithium
b) Sodium
e) Magnesium f) Nitrogen
c) Potassium
g) Phosphorus
14) List one use for each member of the Halogen family.
15) List one use for each member of the Noble Gas family.
16) Where are the transition metals located in the periodic table?
17) Define the term diatomic. Next, list the elements that are diatomic (i.e., H2)
18) Define the term cation. Give an example of a cation.
19) Define the term anion. Give an example of an anion.
20) Define the term enthalpy.
21) Define the term entropy.
d) Calcium
Suggestions for Preparing
1) Chemistry is more like a math class, less like a biology class. There is a lot of math involved (your calculator
will also become a constant companion).
2) Chemistry involves more understanding of concepts and applying them, less memorization of terms.
3) It would be great if you could come into class knowing about significant figures, rounding, and scientific
notation. We will take some time at the start of the school year to cover these concepts, as they are
important to your future success in any science class.
4) The following site has an excellent tutorial on significant figures:
http://www.chem.sc.edu/faculty/morgan/resources/sigfigs/index.html.
5) Refer to your handbook or online reference for your calculator model for assistance with entering scientific
notation (i.e., 6.02 x 1023) into your calculator.
6) Please start reading your textbook (for fun )