Chemical Names and Formulas

A Curricular Unit developed in Educational Technology Courses

in the Education Department, Eastern Connecticut State University

by Jill Langlais, July 31, 2002

for general questions about this curricular units, please contact David Stoloff, Professor, Education Department, ECSU, email: stoloffd@easternct.edu

university disclaimer

Introduction to Chemical Names and Formulas

This unit is intended for a high school chemistry class. The focus of this unit will be on using the internet to gather information and to get different points of view. The purpose of this unit is to get students to learn how to write formulas and name chemical compounds in a fun way. In addition, this unit will allow students to examine the ingredients list of household products used in their everyday lives, and learn about the chemical compounds that make them up. The technology (web-based searching, following links, etc.) would be introduced as a tool to complete the tasks at the beginning of the unit.

This unit is written with the assumption that each pair of students will have access to a computer including internet & e-mail capabilities.

Objectives:

By the end of the unit, the students will be able to:

Explain why knowing how to write chemical names and formulas is important
State and give examples for the Law of Definite Composition and the Law of Multiple Proportions
Explain the difference between two common substances using the Law of Multiple Proportions and the Law of Definite Composition
Write formulas for chemicals given the name
Name chemicals given a formula
Use a chart to write formulas for and name acids
Research and gather information on common acids
Analyze chemicals used in common household products and prepare a project

Assessment:

Students will be graded through daily class participation (0- did not participate, 1- poorly engaged, 2 – somewhat engaged, 3- fully engaged) as well as with a unit test. In addition, additional assessment will come from homework and the project done on chemicals found in household products.

Projects of Interest:

The following 4 curricular units I found interesting while designing my own curricular unit:

· Introduction to Genetics by P.J. Foley

· Matter by June Meyers

· Exhibit A: A Forensics Webquest by Linda Stefaniak

· Organic Chemistry in the News Webquest by Fiona Clark

Introduction to Chemical Names and Formulas:

Identical twins share some of the same physical characteristics but are never completely alike. There are pairs of compounds that contain the same elements but have very different physical and chemical properties. How can two elements combine to form more than one chemical compound?

Your Task – Use the following URL’s to learn more about the Laws of Definite Composition and Multiple Proportions. With a partner, determine the difference between these two laws and use the laws to explain the difference between H₂O and H₂O₂. Write your responses thoroughly and clearly in MS Word and e-mail it to me as an attachment.

http://courses.chem.utah.edu/chem/1200Driscoll/lect_04/index.htm (click on Law of Definite Composition and Law of Multiple Proportions)
http://www.wikipedia.com/wiki/Law+of+multiple+proportions
http://www.wikipedia.com/wiki/Law+of+definite+proportions
http://misterguch.brinkster.net/q14.html

Binary Ionic and Molecular Compounds

The word binary means characterized by or composed of two different parts or components. Therefore, a binary compound is a compound made up of two elements. There are two types of binary compounds that you will learn about below: ionic and molecular. A binary ionic compound contains a metal (which forms positive ions) and a nonmetal (which forms negative ions), while a binary molecular compound consists of two nonmetals.

Your Task

Part 1: Use the following URL’s to learn how to write formulas for and name binary compounds.

Part 2: Visit each of the following URL’s and practice with the examples of writing formulas for and naming binary compounds with a partner, taking turns. Check the answers that are provided with each website.

Part 3: Now you are ready to test your skills. Visit the following websites and play each of the 2 games with your partner. Be sure to take turns and refrain from yelling out the answers.

Homework:

1. Use the flashcards at the website below to continue practicing naming and

writing formulas. Follow the direction on the screen – good luck!

· Flashcards

2. Visit the following websites and write the answers to the problems in a word

document and send it to me as an e-mail attachment.

· http://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/Nomenclature/Binary-Stock-NametoFormula.html

· http://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/Nomenclature/Binary-Greek-NametoFormula.html

Ternary Compounds

The word ternary means composed of three or arranged in threes. Can you guess what a ternary compound is? A ternary compound is made up of three different elements and always contains a polyatomic ion.

Your Task

Part 1: Use the following URL’s to learn more about polyatomic ions and ternary compounds. The polyatomic ions you encounter will have to be memorized, so it might be a good idea to write them down as you learn them.

Part 2: This activity will help you learn the polyatomic ions used in ternary compounds. Practice these examples with your partner and make sure you take turns.

· Matching activity

Part 3: Visit the following URL and practice with the examples of writing formulas for and naming ternary compounds with a partner, taking turns. Check the answers that are provided with each website.

· http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~honors/nomen2.html

Part 4: Now you are ready to test your skills. Visit the following website and play each of the 2 games with your partner. Be sure to take turns and refrain from yelling out the answers.

Homework:

1. Use the flashcards at the website below to continue practicing naming and

writing formulas. Follow the direction on the screen – good luck!

· Flashcards

3. Visit the following website and write the answers to the problems in a word

document and send it to me as an e-mail attachment.

· http://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/Nomenclature/Polyatomic-FormulatoName.html

Review of Binary & Ternary Compounds

You have learned how to write formulas for and name binary and ternary compounds. An important skill is learning which type of compound you have and using your skills to name or write the formula correctly. In just a moment you will practice with both types of compounds as a review for your upcoming quiz.

Your Task - Visit the following URL’s and practice with the examples provided. You should each try to do the examples on your own and then compare your answer with your partner. Once you agree upon an answer for each practice problem, send the answers to me in a word document as an e-mail attachment.

· http://science.widener.edu/svb/pset/nomen_a.html

· http://www.shodor.org/unchem/basic/nomen/index.html

Assessment – written quiz on binary & ternary compounds

Acids

An acid is a compound that produces hydrogen ions when dissolved in water. Therefore, the chemical formulas of acids are of the general form HX, where X is a monatomic or polyatomic ion. When the compound HCl (hydrogen chloride) dissolves in water it is named as an acid. In the next activity you will learn how to write formulas for and name acids.

Your Task

Part 1: Use the following URL’s to learn more about the nomenclature of acids. This new material will take some time to get used to because acids are not named like traditional compounds.

http://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/Nomenclature/Nomenclature.html
http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~honors/nomen.html
http://www.cm.utexas.edu/academic/courses/Spring2002/CH301/McDevitt/Nomenclature.htm
http://science.widener.edu/svb/pset/nomen_b.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/10429 (click on inorganic nomenclature)
http://library.thinkquest.org/28330 (click on practice after entering site)

Part 2: Visit the following URL’s and practice the examples with a partner, taking turns. Check the answers that are provided with each website.

Homework:

1. Review for test

2. Bring in 3 household products in original packaging from the list below

Household products – toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoo, conditioner, soap, antacids, baking mixes, baking soda, cereal, hairspray, cleaners, vitamins

Assessment – written test on chemical nomenclature after sufficient review

Analyzing Household Products for Chemicals

Many household products contain different chemicals that we have learned to write formulas for and name. Some of the chemicals found in household products are familiar to us, while some are unfamiliar. By looking at the ingredients list of a product, you should be able to identify chemicals that you have heard of before and others that you have not.

Your Task – (do this for each of the three household products that you brought to class)

1. Look at the ingredients list

2. List all of the ingredients that you recognize

3. List 5 additional ingredient names that are unfamiliar to you

4. For each of the 5 ingredients that are unfamiliar:

a. Write the name of the chemical (include other names for the chemical)

b. Write the formula for the chemical

c. List all the elements that make up the chemical

d. List at least 3 interesting facts about each chemical

5. Present your work in the form of a poster or booklet to be presented to the class.

In order to find information for this project it may be helpful to first check these websites:

· http://www.setonresourcecenter.com/MSDS/index.htm

· http://hazard.com/msds/

Another way to get information for your project is to use a search engine, such as google or yahoo.

· http://www.google.com

· http://www.yahoo.com

Just enter your unknown ingredient name into the search square and hit enter.