Chemistry is a vast subject, more than you or I could ever know, but fortunately learning the fundamentals of chemistry is possible. One fundamental of chemistry is understanding the electrons, neutrons, and protons that make up atoms. It

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Fundamentals of Chemistry
Syllabus for CHM-130
Instructor Ken Costello
The images shown above represent the evolution of
chemistry. For example, on the left the four
recognized elements were fire, air, earth, and
water but it turned out that none were elements.
We now recognize 114 elements, with my favorite
being element 111 called unununium. The other
images also has their stories, which we will
discuss in class.
Welcome to the Fundamentals of Chemistry.
Dividing a chemistry topic into three areas of
focus makes it easier to understand. ?The
building blocks focus sees chemicals coming from
simpler building blocks. ?Chemistry also
involves force and energy. Attraction and
repulsion of - charges guide the assembly of
atoms and chemicals. ?The third part of
chemistry involves mathematics. The Earth
represents the Metric system which is based on
Earth measurements and water.
Chemistry is a vast subject, more than you or I
could ever know, but fortunately learning the
fundamentals of chemistry is possible. One
fundamental of chemistry is understanding the
electrons, neutrons, and protons that make up
atoms. Its amazing that everything you can see
or touch is made from these three tiny particles.
However, their microscopic world is very
bizarre, similar but stranger than Hollywoods
virtual world called the Matrix. After learning
chemistry you will look at the world differently
just as Neo did in the movie.
2
Textbook Fundamentals of Chemistry by Ralph A.
Burns, 4th Edition
To the left is the textbook. I do not follow it
too closely, but it is a good textbook that could
supplement my lectures. I cover additional
material not in the textbook. There exists a
study guide and solutions manual,but I dont
require them.
The textbook may or may not come with a CD-ROM.
It doesnt matter if you get it or not.
You will also need a scientific calculator. Not
right away but starting the fourth week.
Instructor Ken Costello
Phone [phone] Email
costello_at_mail.mc.maricopa.edu
Classroom PS3S
Office hours Tuesday 7pm-9pm
www.chemistryland.com/CHM130/chm130home.html
Things you should expect to get out of this
course.

1. Gain an appreciation of chemistry its value to
   society, its role in history, the effort to get
   this far, the modern marvels.
2. Learn about chemistrys building blocks from
   light ? matter/antimatter ? protons electrons
   neutrons ? atoms ? compounds ? organic vs.
   inorganic ? small compounds (CH4, CO2, H2O, SiO2)
   ? large compounds (sugars, amino acids,
   hydrocarbons) ? macromolecules (starch,
   cellulose, proteins, DNA)
3. Learn how to approach a chemistry topic as a
   blend of bluilding blocks, force energy, and
   mathematics.
4. Learn the fundamental behaviors of atoms
   Electrostatic forces, the bizarre world of
   quantum physics, chemical bonding, and the
   periodic behaviors indicated in the Periodic
   Table.
5. Smarter consumer of chemical products Better
   understanding of labels, smarter at reading past
   the hype or paranoia, and better at recognizing
   pseudoscience.
6. Improved chance of survival Knowledge of
   neutralizing acids/bases, better avoidance of
   chemical dangers, better at improvising, better
   at solving problems, and better at critical
   thinking.

Also check out course competencies at
www.dist.maricopa.edu/curriculum/A-C/016chm130.htm
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Below is the planned schedule however,
unexpected events may change the schedule.
Changes announced in class will override this
schedule.
Course Schedule
Approx.Date Subject Details Related textbook chap.
Jan 18 First day of class.gt Introductions gtSyllabus Introduction to the class. Handout and presentation of syllabus.  
Jan 20 2nd day The 3 Barriers to Learning Approach to learning chemistry. You will learn about the three common barriers to learning a subject and how to use this in learning chemistry.  
Jan 25 Chemistry Its all about building blocks Light ? particles ? atoms ? Elements ? Compounds The simplicity of building blocks is the secret of the physical universe. Light builds matter including protons, electrons, neutrons, that builds the elements. Elements build compounds small compounds build macromolecules. Parts of the following chapters 2, 18, 19, 20
Jan 27 Why did chemistry become a science? (plus group photos) Driven by needs wants chemistry throughout history improved survival and improved the quality of life. (Group photos to help me learn names) Chap 1.1,
Feb 1 Whats in a name? Nomenclature 2 elements, shared electrons. (preview test) Naming compounds whose two elements share electrons (covalent bonding) plus naming compounds where one element (usually a metal) has given one or more electrons to the another element (usually a non-metal) (ionic bonding) Chap. 6.
Feb 3 First Test
Feb 8 Naming ionic compounds Polyatomic ions uses Sometimes two non-metal elements form a negatively charged ion (called polyatomic ion). This ion bonds with a positively charged metals. Learn names and uses. Chap. 6
Feb 10 Math So Misunderstood Dimensional Analysis Metric System Origin of Math and the common misunderstandings. By examining the dimensions (feet, liters, grams, etc.) you can set up problems correctly. The origin of the metric system Part of Chapter 3, Appendix D
Feb 15 Specific Heat Learn how different substance store different amounts of heat.
Feb 17 Chaos to Order Periodic Table and where elements came from where are they? The Periodic table helps us organize the elements. But first where did elements come from and where are they now? Parts of Chap. 7, Chap 18
Feb 22 Review nomenclature Equation Writing and Balancing Solubility Rules Writing chemical equations is two-part. First, will the reaction take place? Second, if so, then how are all the elements accounted for? (Balancing) Chap. 10
Feb 24 Types of Chemical Reactions Learn about synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, and combustion reactions. Chap. 10
Mar 1 Review for test  
Mar 3 Second Test
Mar 8 Chemical Quantities Formula and Molecular Weights. Moles and Molar Mass. Avogadro's number. Molarity. Empirical and Molecular formulas Chapter 9
Mar 10 Oxidation and Reduction Properties of oxygen and oxidizing agents. Properties of hydrogen and reducing agents. Chap 17
Safety video
Periodic table, names, oxidation numbersSeparation of Mixture
Nomen- Binary CompoundsLab Measurements, Sig Figures (Present Terrorism in lab)
Nomenclature-TernaryTemp, Mass, Vol, Density (pyrite vs.Au)
Quiz open notes Specific Heat
Major 50pt quiz-Nomenclature Equation Writing Balancing
Single Replacement Reactions.
Decomposition of Potassium Chlorate
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Mar 15 17 Spring Break Spring Break  
Mar 22 Hydrates Certain salts that have combined with a set amount of water are called hydrates. They are a source of water and can be made to be desiccants (absorbers of water)
Mar 24 Waste Not, Want Not Stoichiometry Calculations based on chemical equations. Mole to Mole calculations, Mole to Mass calculations, molar solution calculations, limiting reactant, percent yield. Chapter 11
Mar 29 Quantum Model of Atom Electrons live in the bizarre world of quantum physics Chap 5.5 thru 5.10
Mar 31 Gases are very law abiding. Gases and the various laws that govern its behavior. Boyle's law, Charle's Law, Guy-Lussac's Law, Combined Gas Law, Avogadro's Law, Ideal Gas Law, Dalton's Law of partial pressures. Atmosphere kinetic molecular theory. Moles Chap. 12 
Apr 5 Tips on Poster Making Review for test  
Apr 7 Third Test
Apr 12 Solutions to Solutions Terminology, Solubility of ionic covalent compounds. Equilibrium, effects of temperature and pressure on solubility. Chapter 14
Apr 14 Acids and Bases Historical significance of acids and bases. Acids as H donors. Bases as OH- donors. Other definitions of acids and bases. pH Scale. Acid-base titrations. Chapter 16
Apr 19 Fluorides Special presentation on the use of fluoride to prevent tooth decay and the controversy that surrounds it. Good application of acids and bases, electronegativity, concentrations. Chap 16. Chap 8.3
Apr 21 Educational Posters Due Review of posters (Posters will be displayed in corridor leading to library)  
Apr 26 Reaction Rates and Equilibrium Collision theory, factors that control reaction rates, catalysts, Le Chatelier's principle. Chapter 15 
Apr 28 Forensic Chemistry (application of chemistry learned in class) Presentation and demonstration of forensic chemistry.
May 3 To Be Announced
May 5 Review for Final  
May 9 - 12 Final Exam this week Grades turned in    
Water in Hydrates
Major Quiz on Equation balancing, classification, predi prod. Conductivity lab
Double replacement Reactions

Qualitative analysis of anions

Preparation of a Standard Base
Determination of Concentration of Acid
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Special Learning Needs
If you have any special learning needs, let me
know, but first visit our Disabilities Resources
Services Office. They will work with both you
and me to find ways to help. Deaf students will
enjoy the many visuals I use in class. Visually
impaired students with some vision can get my
PowerPoints so they can view them in the
librarys Adaptive Lab. Totally blind students
will have a bigger challenge, but I am willing to
try some alternatives.
TEST A four letter word
No one likes tests, even teachers. In the old
days, when people learned by apprenticeship,
there wasnt a need for tests because the master
knew how the apprentice was doing by watching
them and regularly asking them questions.
However, in a classroom of 40 students, the
instructor may have know idea how much a student
has learned, so a test is one way of finding out.
One philosophy of teaching is that instructors
are only sure that they have taught the subject
if they find out that students have learned the
subject. In other words, I must ask you a lot of
questions to see if Im both you and I are doing
a good job.
Everyone gets it correct
My expectation is that everyone understands
everything on the test and gets it 100 right.
Everyone may not get it 100 the first time, but
they should get it correct on the 2nd, or 3rd
time. It makes no sense to go on when there is
something critical missing. Much of chemistry
builds off the previous material. Of course, a
person who takes three tries to get a question
right doesnt deserve the same amount of credit
of the person who got it right the first time.
But getting it right the third time still
deserves credit. On problems you missed, you have
the opportunity to be retested with a similar
problem. You get 90 of the score you would have
gotten if you got it right the first time. Each
time you have to redo it will cost another 10.
For example, if you miss a 10 point question but
get a similar one correct on the retest, you make
9 points, which is much better than losing all 10
points. You just have to make an extra effort
to do it again. In short, Im more interested
in you learning the material than giving you low
grades. Im not eager to do extra grading, but
Im willing to do that if you are willing to put
in the time to restudy and retest on what you
missed. Final grades are not based on a curve,
so students who ace a test the first time
shouldnt worry about the students who retake the
test to improve their scores.
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GRADING is not an exact science
I really hate to talk about points for two
reasons First it takes your attention away from
the subject. Second, it implies that grading is
accurate down to the last little point. It
would be hard to prove that a person with 524
points actually knows more than someone with 523
points. Mathematically it seems accurate, but in
actuality grading is approximate. When a
teacher says one question is worth 15 points and
another is worth 10 points, the choice is rather
arbitrary. With this said, we can use points
because it is easy to work with, but it is only
approximate. People who focus only on learning
the subject do better than those who worry about
grades. Thats because when you worry about
points and grades, you are not thinking about the
subject. Listen and learn in class and grades
will take care of themselves. In case you are
still interested, here is the breakdown of points
that will serve as a guide to your
grade Attendance 100 points3 tests 100
points each totaling 300 pointsFinal test 100
pointsPoster project 100 pointsMiscellaneous
assignments 100 points Total 700
points Grades are 90-100A, 80-89B, 70-79C,
60-69D, Below 60F If your points are close to
a better grade, I will always give you the
benefit of the doubt and give you the better
grade because, like I said, grading is not that
accurate. Notice attendance is a big contributor
to your grade. I figure that every time you come
to class, you demonstrate a willingness to learn
and will probably learn something that day, so
you deserve credit. Perfect attendance will be
like getting a perfect grade on a test. I again
apologize for this much attention drawn to tests
and points. Being aware of them is good, but
worrying or being fixated on them will actually
take attention away from learning and hurt your
grade. The best thing is to get interested in
the subject and that motivation will help you do
good on any tests that come your way.
Everyone Finishes
Just like I expect everyone to learn the material
well enough to get an A, I also expect everyone
to finish the class. However, if you miss three
classes in a row without contacting me, I will
telephone you and send email to find out whats
going on. Note I can be pretty flexible when you
have circumstances that warrant it. But if I
cant get a hold of you, I will have to withdraw
you from class. If you disappear a week before
class ends, I may just give you a grade based on
your work up to that time, but lowered because
you missed the final.
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Fundamentals of Chemistry
Syllabus for CHM-130
Instructor Ken Costello
The images shown above represent the evolution of
chemistry. For example, on the left the four
recognized elements were fire, air, earth, and
water but it turned out that none were elements.
We now recognize 114 elements, with my favorite
being element 111 called unununium. The other
images also has their stories, which we will
discuss in class.
Welcome to the Fundamentals of Chemistry.
Dividing a chemistry topic into three areas of
focus makes it easier to understand. ?The
building blocks focus sees chemicals coming from
simpler building blocks. ?Chemistry also
involves force and energy. Attraction and
repulsion of - charges guide the assembly of
atoms and chemicals. ?The third part of
chemistry involves mathematics. The Earth
represents the Metric system which is based on
Earth measurements and water.
Chemistry is a vast subject, more than you or I
could ever know, but fortunately learning the
fundamentals of chemistry is possible. One
fundamental of chemistry is understanding the
electrons, neutrons, and protons that make up
atoms. Its amazing that everything you can see
or touch is made from these three tiny particles.
However, their microscopic world is very
bizarre, similar but stranger than Hollywoods
virtual world called the Matrix. After learning
chemistry you will look at the world differently
just as Neo did in the movie.