Update for Christmas Break 2009

Here is the update for the Christmas Break:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• Complete the take-home exam generated using the Castle Learning Online: Deadline: Jan 4, 2010.
• Complete HW #27: Worksheet on Assigning Oxidation Number. If you were absent on Wednesday, you may download the worksheet here. Due date: 1/4/2010.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Reminder: HW #23 and #24 are way past due!
• Complete the take-home exam for the Christmas break generated on the Castle Learning Online: Deadline: Jan 4, 2010.

Environmental Science 2:
• No work assignments during the break. Expect a unit exam on air pollution when we come back.

Over the break, once I finish grading the assignments, I will e-mail everyone his/her progress report.

This may very well be my last posting for this year... Everyone, have a safe and happy holiday!

Dr. Liu

Update for 12-22-2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• Reminder: Make-up all those missing works/assignments/lab reports by Tomorrow!
• Take-home exam has been generated on the Castle Learning Online; you may start working on it. Deadline: Jan 4, 2010.
• I will be distributing a homework worksheet for the Christmas break tomorrow. If you are not going to make it to the class, then you can download it here. Due date: 1/4/2010.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #24 (Due tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 535-538; Do p. 538 Problems #4, 6, 10.
• Reminder: Make-up all those missing works/assignments/lab reports by Tomorrow!
• Take-home exam for the Christmas break has been generated on the Castle Learning Online: Deadline: Jan 4, 2010.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 12-21-2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• No new HW today.
• Reminder: Make-up all those missing works/assignments/lab reports by Tomorrow/Wednesday at the latest!
• Take-home exam has been generated on the Castle Learning Online; you may start working on it. Deadline: Jan 4, 2010.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #23 (Due tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 530-534; Do p. 538 Problems #1, 2, 3.
• Lab. Report #29 and HW #22 - Le Chatelier's Principle Worksheet way past due!!!
• Reminder: Make-up all those missing works/assignments/lab reports by Tomorrow/Wednesday at the latest!
• Take-home exam for the Christmas break will be generated tonight: Deadline: Jan 4, 2010.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 12-18-2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• Lab. Sheet #13 is due Monday (No report needed).
• As promised, I have generated a 60-questions Take-Home Exam for the Christmas break. Please follow the steps below to login in and complete the take-home exam (Deadline: 1st day we come back from the Christmas break):
1. Login at Castle Learning Online.
2. Enter login “ID”: Your OSIS number.
3. Enter your password: Your date of birth: YYYY-MM-DD
(E.g., February 01, 2006 would be 20060201)
4. Click “Sign-In” button.
5. Select Dr. Liu’s Class => Chemistry Short Answer => Chem_1 Xmas Take-Home Exam_2009.
* Note:
a) The exam is in "Quiz" mode, that means all the online hints and clues are turned off - use your notes and textbook.
b) All the questions are randomly ordered, so don't bother record the answers and pass them to your buddy (it won't work).
• Reminder: Make-up all those missing works/assignments/lab reports by Monday!

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Finish your lab. report #29 by Monday (and make-up all those missing works)!

Environmental Science 2:
• We've finished the quiz on ozone depletion today. Unit Exam on Air pollution shall follow shortly (possibly next week).

Dr. Liu

Update for 12-16-2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• No HW for today.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Post-Exam night: Take a break...

Environmental Science 2:
• Quiz tomorrow on Ozone Depletion.

Dr. Liu

Update for 12-15-2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW #26: (Due Tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 199-202; Complete the Lewis Electron Dot diagrams worksheet.
• Progress Report will be sent out tonight.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Unit 10 Exam tomorrow.
• Complete the Unit 10 Exam Review on Castle Learning Online. Follow the steps outlined below:
1. Login at Castle Learning Online
2. Enter login “ID”: Your OSIS number.
3. Enter your password: Your date of birth: YYYY-MM-DD
(E.g., February 01, 2006 would be 20060201)
4. Click “Sign-In” button.
5. Select Dr. Liu’s Class => Chemistry Short Answer => Kinetic & Equilibrium Unit 10 Review 12_09

Environmental Science 2:
• No new HW today.
• Progress Report will be sent out tonight.

Dr. Liu

Update for 12/14/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW #26: (Due Wednesday): Holt - Read pp. 199-202; Complete the Lewis Electron Dot diagrams worksheet.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• I have received very few submissions of HW #22: Le Châtelier Principle Worksheet and Lab. Report #28 for today. Complete both assignments by tomorrow. No new HW for today.
• Unit 10 Exam on Wednesday.

Environmental Science 2:
• Complete the Lab. Exercise on Ozone Layer Variation for submission by tomorrow.

Dr. Liu

Chem 2- Lab. #28 Part II Data

For my Chemistry 2 Class:

Here is the data for Part II of Lab. #28:

Test Tube 1: Reaction time = 1500 sec.
Test Tube 2: Reaction time = 1800 sec.
Test Tube 3: Reaction time = 1200 sec.

For rolled Mg strip, the piece stays near the bottom of the test tube at all time.
For flat piece of Mg strip, it flows up and down between the surface and the mid-height of the tube solution.

You should be able to complete the Lab. Report base on your Part I and this Part II data.

Dr. Liu

Update for 12-11-2009

Here is the update for this weekend:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW #25: (Due Monday): Holt – Read pp. 158-165; Do p. 165 #1, 4, 8, 10, 12.
• Complete Lab. #12 Worksheet (No report) - Due Monday.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #22 (Due Monday): Le Châtelier Principle Worksheet.
• Complete Lab. Report #28 - Due Monday. (I will post the data later this weekend).
• Saturday Regent Prep Academy in Chemistry begin this weekend: 10 AM - 1 PM in Rm. 336.
• Unit Exam next Wednesday.

Environmental Science 2:
• Complete Ozone Layer Lab exercise activity for submission on Monday.

Dr. Liu

Update for 12/10/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW #25: (Due Monday): Holt – Read pp. 158-165; Do p. 165 #1, 4, 8, 10, 12.
• Dec. 11 (Tomorrow) is the deadline for all online make-up labs (1st & 2nd MPs).
• Reminder: Lab. #12 tomorrow in Rm. 311.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #22 (Due Monday): Le Châtelier Principle Worksheet.
• Deadline for online make-up labs for 1st & 2nd MP and Chem. 1 is December 11 (Tomorrow).
• Reminder: Lab. #28 tomorrow in Rm. 311.

Environmental Science 2:
• HW #10 (due tomorrow): Finish the concept map incorporating as many vocabularies from the list as you can.
• We will meet in Rm. 311 tomorrow.

Dr. Liu

Update for 12-9-2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• Unit 4 Exam - DONE!
• Make sure you finish all online make-up labs (1st & 2nd MPs) by Friday - Dec. 11.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• No HW today.
• Reminder: December 11 (This Friday) is the deadline for all online make-up labs (1st & 2nd MPs, Plus Chem. 1).
• Unit Exam next Tuesday.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW today (Classwork #7 done in class).

Dr. Liu

Update for 12-08-2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• Unit 4 Exam tomorrow.
• Reminder: December 11 (This Friday) is the deadline for all online make-up labs (1st & 2nd MPs).

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #21 (Due tomorrow): Holt - Read textbook pp. 512-518; Do p. 518 Q: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9.
• Reminder: December 11 (This Friday) is the deadline for all online make-up labs (1st & 2nd MPs, Plus Chem. 1).

Environmental Sciences 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 12-7-2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• Complete Unit Exam 4 review sheet for Homework.
• Unit Exam #4 on Wednesday.
• Reminder: December 11 (This Friday) is the deadline for all online make-up labs (1st & 2nd MPs).

Regent Chemistry 2:
• No HW for today.
• Reminder: December 11 (This Friday) is the deadline for all online make-up labs (1st & 2nd MPs).

Environmental Science 2:
• HW #9: Acid Rain Worksheet.

Dr. Liu

Update for 12-04-2009

Here is the update for this weekend:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• Complete the Lab sheet for Lab. #11, Due Monday.
• Reminder: Deadline for SmartScience online make-up labs for 1st & 2nd MP is December 11 (Next Friday).
• Unit Exam next week (possibly Wednesday).

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #20 (Due Monday): Holt - Read textbook pp. 496-501; Do p. 501 Q: 2, 3, 4, 6.
• Complete Lab. Report #27 for Monday.
• Reminder: Smartscience Online labs Solubility and Crystal Violet Bleaching are both past due. And the deadline for SmartScience online make-up labs for 1st & 2nd MP and for Chem 1 is December 11 (next Friday).
• Unit Exam next week.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW this weekend.

Have a good weekend.

Dr. Liu

Update for 12-3-2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• No HW today. Lab. #11 tomorrow in Rm. 311.
• Reminder: Deadline for SmartScience online make-up labs for 1st & 2nd MP is December 11 (Next Friday).
• Unit Exam next week.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #20 (Due Monday): Holt - Read textbook pp. 496-501; Do p. 501 Q: 2, 3, 4, 6
• Reminder: Smartscience Online labs Solubility and Crystal Violet Bleaching are both past due. And the deadline for SmartScience online make-up labs for 1st & 2nd MP and for Chem 1 is December 11 (next Friday).
• Reminder: Lab. #27 tomorrow in Rm. 311.
• Unit Exam next week.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW today. Class will meet in Rm. 311 tomorrow.

Dr. Liu

Update for 12-2-2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW # 24 (Due Tomorrow): Holt – Read pp. 142-147; Do p. 147 Problems 2, 4, 6, 13.
• Reminder: Deadline for SmartScience online make-up labs for 1st & 2nd MP is December 11.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #19 (Due Tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 589-595, Do p. 595 Problems 3, 4, 9, 11, 13.
• Reminder: Smartscience Online labs Solubility and Crystal Violet Bleaching are both past due.
• Deadline for SmartScience online make-up labs for 1st & 2nd MP and for Chem 1 is December 11.

Environmental Science 2:
• HW #8 (Due tomorrow): Answer the following questions based on NYT Article "Chinese Drywall Linked to Corrosion":
1. What kinds of chemicals were found to be released from cheap Chinese drywall?
2. What kind of problems were identified in the house where the drywall was installed?
3. Where in the United States the problems seems to be most frequently reported? Why?

Dr. Liu

Update for 12-1-2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• No new HW today.
• Reminder: Deadline for SmartScience online make-up labs for 1st & 2nd MP is December 11.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW # 18 (Due Tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 576 - 584; Do p. 585 Problems 1, 3, 5, 6.
• Reminder: Smartscience Online labs Solubility and Crystal Violet Bleaching are both past due.
• Deadline for SmartScience online make-up labs for 1st & 2nd MP and for Chem 1 is December 11.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW for today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 11-30-2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW # 23 (Due Tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 132-141, Do p. 141 Problems # 1, 3, 4, 5, 12
• Deadline for SmartScience online make-up labs for 1st & 2nd MP is December 11.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Homework (Due tomorrow): Post-Unit 9 Exam Drill Exercise due tomorrow (your only chance to add points to the exam).
• Reminder: Smartscience Online labs Solubility and Crystal Violet Bleaching are both due as of today.
• Deadline for SmartScience online make-up labs for 1st & 2nd MP and for Chem 1 is December 11.

Environmental Science 2:
• We finished Science Bulletin worksheet today. Quiz on the module to be held tomorrow.

Dr. Liu

Update for 11/25/2009

Here is the update for the Thanksgiving break:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW # 22 (Due Monday): Holt - Read pp. 124-131, Do p. 131 problems #1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 11.
• Work on the SmartScience Online labs to make-up for your missing labs - 1st and 2nd marking periods. I want those labs done by the middle of December!

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Only assignment for this weekend is to complete another online lab.: Crystal Violet Bleaching. Since we need to determine your eligibility for Regent about 2~3 weeks before the end of the semester, this is the only way we can meet the requirement by that time.
• You will receive your 2nd marking period progress report sometimes this weekend.

Environmental Science 2:
• No works assigned for this weekend. Expect a test on the module we covered when we come back.

Dr. Liu

Update for 11/24/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW # 21 (Due Tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 116-122, Do. P. 122 Problems 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
• 2nd marking period grades will be sent out tonight. With your missing lab. information, start making up the labs. according to the instruction posted on this blog.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• The key to the Unit 9 Exam review sheet is here.
• Unit 9 Exam tomorrow. Study hard!

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW today. Today was the due date for the completion of your group lab. report (3 groups still not done yet)...

Dr. Liu

Update for 11/23/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• No more test before Thanksgiving!
• Be sure to complete Lab. Report #10 and submit it by tomorrow!

Regent Chemistry 2:
• I've received very few Lab. Report #24 and HW #17 today, don't start off your 3rd MP on a wrong foot!
• Unit 9 exam on Wednesday - Review tomorrow.

Environmental Science 2:
• We will need to finish the group lab. report tomorrow.

Dr. Liu

Regent Chemistry 1 - Review Sheet Key

Here is the key to the Unit 3 Exam review sheet.

Dr. Liu

Update for 11/20/2009

Here is the update for this weekend:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• Lab. Report #10 due Monday
• Work on the review sheet. The key will be posted sometimes this weekend.
• Unit Exam #3 is on Monday.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW#17 Due Monday.
• Lab. Report #24 due Monday.
• Unit Exam #3 will be next Tuesday/Wednesday.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW this weekend. We shall finish the group lab. report on Monday.

Dr. Liu

Update for 11/19/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• 2nd Marking Period ends tomorrow.
• Work on the review sheet. The key will be posted sometimes this weekend.
• Unit Exam #3 on Monday.
• Lab. #10 tomorrow in Rm. 311.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• 2nd Marking Period ends tomorrow.
• SmartScience online lab: Solubility past due.
• HW#17 (Due Monday): Holt - Read pp. 478-486; Do p. 486 Problems #2, 3, 5, 6.
• Unit Exam #3 next Tuesday/Wednesday.
• Lab. #24 tomorrow in Rm. 311.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 11/18/09

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• 2nd marking period ends Friday (tomorrow is the final deadline for all make-up assignments).
• Unit Exam #3 on Monday (Review sheet to be given tomorrow).

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Reminder: SmartScience Online lab: Solubility due TODAY!
• 2nd marking period ends Friday (tomorrow is the final deadline for all make-up assignments).
• HW #16 Worksheet on Table F & G due tomorrow.
• Unit Exam next Tues/Wednesday.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW for today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 11/17/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW #20 (Due tomorrow): Worksheet on Electron Configuration of Atom.
• Quiz Tomorrow (Similar to the content of HW #20).
• 2nd Marking period ends this Friday (Make up all missing assignments immediately).
• Unit Exam #3 been postponed until Monday.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• SmartScience Online Lab: Solubility due tomorrow.
• 2nd Marking period ends this Friday (Make up all missing assignments immediately).
• Possible Quiz on Thursday.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 11/16/2009

Here is the update for today:

Chemistry 1:
• No New HW today.
• Reminder: 2nd MP ends on Friday. Make-up all missing assignments/lab. reports immediately.
• Unit Exam #3 on Thursday.

Chemistry 2:
• SmartScience online lab: Solubility due Wednesday.
• Reminder: 2nd MP ends on Friday. Make-up all missing assignments/lab. reports immediately.
• Quiz later this week.

Environmental Science 2:
• An interim progress report will be send out tonight.
• You guys will not have an exam this week. However, any delay in hand in the assignments will likely to bring down your grade drastically due to the limited number of assignment that we have in this class.

Dr. Liu

Update for 11/13/09

Here is the update for this weekend:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW #19 is due Monday.
• Lab. Report #9 is due Monday.
• You should start making up the missing labs using SmartScience Online Labs - read my blog posting on Nov. 11, 2009 regarding Online labs. instructions.
• 2nd marking period ends next Friday. Make sure you make up any missing assignment immediately. Expect a Quiz or exam sometimes next week.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #15 is Due Monday.
• Lab. Report #23 is due Monday.
• Smart Science Online Lab: Solubility due next Wednesday.
• 2nd marking period ends next Friday. Make sure you make up any missing assignment immediately. Expect a Quiz or exam sometimes next week.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW for this weekend.
• Reminder: 2nd marking period ends next Friday.

Dr. Liu

Update for 11/12/2009

Here is the update for today:

To ALL: 2nd Marking Period ends next Friday, be sure to hand in any missing assignment/lab reports immediately!!!

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW #19 (Due Monday): Holt - Read pp. 90~99, Do p. 99 Problems 1, 2, 3, 9.
• Reminder: Lab. #9 tomorrow in Rm. 311.
• Check the blog posting regarding the SmartScience Online Labs - you will need to start making up those missing labs quickly!
• Explanation of Visible Line Spectrum: • When electrons are subjected to stimuli such as heat, light, or electricity, an electron may absorb energy and temporarily move from the stable ground state to the unstable excited state. The spectral lines are the result of these electrons falling from higher energy levels to lower energy levels, in the process release photons with different quanta of energies (different wavelength of lights). These different wavelength of light would appear as lines when viewed using spectroscope. Different element would have different bright-line spectra which can then be used for elemental identification.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #15 (Due Monday): Holt - Read pp. 468-477; Do p. 477 Problems # 2, 6, 8, 10.
• Reminder: Lab. #23 tomorrow in Rm. 311.
• Reminder: Smart Science Online Lab: Solubility due next Wednesday.

Environmental Science 2:
• HW #7: Fresh and Salt Water Fact Sheet Questions.
• Reminder: Meet in Rm. 311 tomorrow.

Dr. Liu

Update for Chem 2: Online lab assignment

To my chemistry 2 class:

• I am assigning a SmartScience Online lab to make-up for the one we missed due to Parents-Teacher Conference. Please follow the instruction in the previous (Nov. 11) posting. The assigned lab. title is Solubility. The due date for the lab is next Wednesday (November 18). This lab will be counted toward your course grade.

Dr. Liu

SmartScience Online Lab Instructions (Chem 1 & 2)

To My Regent Chemistry 1 & 2 Classes:

• The main purpose of SmartScience Online Labs is to provide you an opportunity to satisfy the NYS mandatory Regent Lab Requirement if you had missed regular in-class hands-on lab sessions. It is meant to be a supplement, not a replacement, of the regular labs. Hence, your performance on the online labs will not affect your regular course grade (unlike the regular labs which account for 20% of your course grade) - unless it's a lab specifically assigned by your teacher.

• The student must complete the whole lab (Pre-lab Quiz, Post-lab Quiz, and Final Lab Report) in order for that specific lab. to be counted as "satisfactory". Since your interim progress report indicated the number of labs that you missed up to that point, you are responsible for making up those numbers of labs in a timely manner (preferably right after your missing lab. sessions).

• You can access the SmartScience online labs. in the following manner:
a) Go to SmartScience Lab's URL address directly; it is also accessible from our school's website: Go To Student => Labs
b) Select your class (Chem1-3 classes or Chem2), and then select your name.
c) Type in your StudentID number and select "Login".
d) Open the Window for the lab. session, this should start your JAVA running and get the session started. You will then be able to select the lab. activity. Be sure to click submit after you finish the entire lab.
* If you have trouble, make sure you use a different browser and make sure JAVA is installed on your computer (Preferred browser - Firefox).

• Listed below is a list of SmartScience online lab. activities that are assigned for Chemistry 1 & 2 terms. I tried to arrange the order of the labs roughly according to the pace of our curriculum, so the best approach for you is to find the labs for your term (Chem 1 or Chem 2), and then start with lower number labs first before proceeding to the higher number labs.

Regent Chem. 1 Lab List:
1. Lab Glassware Exercise
2. Measurement
3. Volume Graph
4. Chemical Change
5. Brownian Motion
6. Gas Volume-Temperature
7. Gas Pressure-Temperature
8. Liquid Volume-Temperature
9. Periodic Table Activity
10. Chemical Periodicity
11. Molar Volume
12. Hydrate Analysis Procedure
13. Analysis of Hydrates

Regent Chem. 2 Lab List
14. Heat Conduction in Solids
15. Specific Heat
16. Evaporation
17. Solubility
18. Crystal Violet Bleaching
19. Enzymes
20. Reaction Rate Wet Lab
21. Equilibrium Constant
22. Acid-Base Titration
23. Indicators
24. Iron-Tin Reaction
25. Oxidizing Power

• If you cannot access the labs. from home for any reason, you may complete the labs by using the school computing facility. Please contact Mr. Ismael if such arrangement is needed.

Update for 11/10/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• No HW for today. Since you have the interim progress report, if you're missing any work I expect you to make them up quickly. The 2nd marking period shall ends on November 20 (next Friday).

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #14 (Due Thursday): Holt – Read pp. 462-466, Do p. 467 Problems 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
• Check back with my blog tomorrow regarding the SmartScience Online Lab. Instruction (for assigned and make-up labs.)
• I'll be e-mailing you your interim progress report tonight so you know exactly where you stand now and what assignment you need to make up.

Environmental Science 2:
• That was a fairly easy Unit Exam, wasn't it? Enjoy your day-off!

Dr. Liu

Update for 11/9/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• No HW for today. (If you have submitted HW #18 and Lab. Report #8 today).

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #13 (Due Tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 462-466; Do p. 465 Problems #2, 3, 4, 6, 7.

Environmental Science 2:
• Study your notes and the review sheet.
• Unit Exam #2 Tomorrow!!! (Bring the book if you checked out the book today.)

Dr. Liu

Update for 11/6/2009

Here is the update for this weekend:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW # 18 is due on Monday.
• Lab. Report #8 is due Monday. (P5: Remember to submit Lab. Report #7 on Monday, if you haven't).

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #12 is due on Monday.
• Lab. Report #22 is due on Monday.

Environmental Science 2:
• Review on Monday.
• Unit Exam #2 to be held on Tuesday.

Dr. Liu

Update for 11/5/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW # 18 (Due Monday): Holt - Read pp. 74~78; Answer the following questions:
Assignment: Describe the experiment and the main contribution of each of the following scientists to the development of atomic model:
a) John Dalton b) J. J. Thomson c) Ernest Rutherford d) Niels Bohr
• P5: Lab. Report #7 due tomorrow.
• Reminder: Lab. #8 tomorrow in Rm. 311.
• Progress Report been sent out this morning; check your missing assignment and make them up immediately!

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #12 (Due Monday): Holt - Read pp. 460-461; Do p. 461 Problems 1, 2, 3, 5, 6.
• Reminder: Lab. 22 tomorrow in Rm. 311.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW today.
• Unit Exam on Monday.

Dr. Liu

Update for 11/4/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW #17 (DUE TOMORROW): Complete Atomic Structure Worksheet (front and back).
• Reminder: P5 will need to complete Lab. Report #7 for this Friday.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #11 (Due tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 454 - 459, Do p. 459 problems #1, 2, 5, 6, 7
• Due to unforeseen circumstance, the due date for the SmartScience online lab will be moved to next week. Please wait for further instructions to be posted this weekend.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW today (Classwork #3 you handed in during the class will be counted as HW).
• Unit Exam next Monday.

Dr. Liu

Update for 11/2/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• P2, P3, and P5: Complete Atomic Structure Worksheet - Due Wednesday.
• P5: The complete Lab Report #7 is due this Friday.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Steam-off!
• Check back with this blog to see about instructions for your SmartScience online labs.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW today!

Dr. Liu

Regent chemistry 2 - Unit 8 Review Sheet Key

For my Regent Chemistry 2 class:

• You may find your review sheet key here.

• I will postpone the online lab due date until this Friday. For now, focus on the unit 8 exam this coming Monday.

Dr. Liu

Update for 10/30/2009

Here is the update for this weekend:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• Reminder: HW #16 due on Monday.
• P2 & P3: Lab. Report #7 due on Monday.
• P5: Be sure to meet in Rm. 311 on Monday during regular class time. We will do Lab. #7 then.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Be sure to complete the unit exam review sheet. I will post the answer on the blog this weekend.
• Unit Exam #2 on Monday.
• Reminder: I will also post the instruction regarding which SmartScience Lab I want you to complete later this weekend...

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW for this weekend. Enjoy!

Happy Halloween!

Dr. Liu

Update for 10/29/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW #16 (Due Monday): Holt - Read pp. 79-89; Do p. 89 Problems #1, 2, 3, 4.
• Reminder: Lab. #7 tomorrow in Rm. 311 for P2, P3. For P5, you guys will do the lab on Monday during your regular class time in Rm. 311.
• Reminder: Tomorrow we will be following Monday's schedule for Period 1 ~ 4?.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Complete the unit exam review sheet. I will post the answer on the blog sometimes this weekend.
• Unit Exam #2 on Monday.
• Reminder: I will also post the instruction regarding which SmartScience Lab I want you to complete for this weekend later...

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW for this weekend. Enjoy!

Dr. Liu

Update for 10/28/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• Looks like quite a number of you had a hard time finish up the exam... Oh well, it's done now... steam off for a bit!
• For those that missed Unit 2 Exam today, tomorrow is your only chance to make it up, be sure to bring a note to explain your absence.
• No HW for today.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Finish HW #10 Worksheet #4: Heat of Reaction => Due Tomorrow.
• Unit Exam #2 next Monday.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 10/27/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• Unit 2 Exam Tomorrow. Study HARD! (Bring your calculator and Reference tables.)

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #10 Worksheet #4 (Due Thursday): Heat of Reaction.
• Unit Exam #2 next Monday.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 10/26/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW: complete your unit exam 2 review sheet for tomorrow.
• Unit 2 Exam on Wednesday.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• No HW today.
• Unit Exam #2 next Monday/Tuesday.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW today. A lot of you did not hand in the Lab. #1 Report; Remember, this category is worth 20% of your grade (or more)!

Dr. Liu

Update for 10/23/2009

Here is the update for this weekend:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW #15 due Monday.
• Lab. Report #6 due Monday.
• Unit Exam #2 likely to be next Tuesday/Wednesday.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Lab. Report #21 due Monday.
• Unit Exam #2 likely to be next Tuesday/Wednesday.

Environmental Science 2:
• HW #6: Complete all the questions on China's Three Gorge Project worksheet.

Have a good weekend.

Dr. Liu

Update for 10/22/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW #15 (Due Monday): Holt - Read pp. 431~432, Do p. 432 Problems #5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
• Reminder: Lab. #6 in Rm. 311 tomorrow.
• Unit Exam #2 likely to be next Tuesday/Wednesday.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• No HW today.
• Reminder: Lab. #21 in Rm. 311 tomorrow.
• Unit Exam #2 likely to be next Tuesday/Wednesday.

Environmental Science 2:
• I've only received a handful of Lab. #1 Report today. Be sure to turn them in tomorrow. (Don't screw up the 2nd marking period again like you did for the 1st one... Make this one count!)
• Reminder: We will meet for regular class tomorrow in Rm. 311.

Dr. Liu

Update for 10/21/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW #14 (Due Tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 426-431, Do p. 428 Problems 1, 2, p. 431 Problem 2, 3.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• No new HW tonight. Be sure to complete HW #9(Worksheet #3: Heating and Cooling Curve) and Lab. Report #19 for submission tomorrow.

Environmental Science 2:
• LAB. #1 Lab. Sheet and Lab. Report due tomorrow.

Dr. Liu

Update for 10/20/2009

I just realized that somehow I didn't post the assignment on Monday, so I will be combining both posting today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW #12: (Due Tuesday) Unit 1- Post Unit Exam Review Drill Exercise Worksheet.
• HW #13: (Due Wednesday) Holt - Read pp. 421-425, Do p. 422 Problems 11, p. 425 Problem 1, 2, 3.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #9: (Due Wednesday) Worksheet #3: Heating and Cooling Curve.
• Reminder: I noticed that only 6 of you have handed in Lab. Report #19. Be sure to complete and submit your Lab. Report #19 tomorrow.

Environmental Science 2:
• Tomorrow is our last observation on Lab. #1. Be sure to answer the questions on the lab. sheet after tomorrow's observation and complete a separate lab. report to be handed in with the lab. sheet. In your lab report, be sure to include the following sections: Lab Report Heading (Name, Class, Period, Lab. # & Title, Date), Problem, Hypothesis, Materials, Procedures, Result & Discussion, Conclusion. The complete report is due on Thursday.

Dr. Liu

Update for 10/16/2009

End of the 1st Marking Period! Time does fly, indeed...

Regent Chemistry 1:
• Reminder: HW #11 - Worksheet #2: Temperature and Pressure Unit Conversion due Monday.
• Lab. Report #5 is due on Monday.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #8 - Worksheet #2: Measurement of Heat Energy due Monday.
• Lab. Report #20 is also due on Monday

Environmental Science 2:
• Make sure you keep the lab. sheet you have for today's lab. (I don't have that many extras). Your experimental set-up will be moved to our classroom for further observation. Starting Monday you can make observation when you came into the class. At the end of the observation period, you will be asked to write a lab. report along with the completion of the lab. sheet.

Dr. Liu

Update for 10/15/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW #11: (Due Monday)
Holt - Read pp. 416~422; Do Worksheet #2: Temperature and Pressure Unit Conversion.
(All Student finish 1st page; For bonus credits: Complete the Advanced Problems).
• Reminder: Lab. #5 in Rm. 311 tomorrow.
• Reminder: End of 1st Marking Period tomorrow.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #8: (Due Monday)
Holt - Read pp. 338~340; Do Worksheet #2: Measurement of Heat Energy.
(All Student finish 1st page; For bonus credits: Complete the Advanced Problems).
• Reminder: Lab. #20 in Rm. 311 tomorrow.
• Reminder: End of 1st Marking Period tomorrow.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 10/13/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• Well, the 1st Unit Exam wasn't so bad, right?!
• If you did not submit either HW #10 or Lab. Report #4 today, make sure you complete them and turn them in immediately. End of 1st Marking Period is this Friday.
• Since most of you will be taking PSAT tomorrow, be sure to arrive at school by 7: 45 AM to get your room assignment.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• In addition to the exam corrections you did today in-class, so far I've received very few Lab. Report #19 submission. Remember, if you don't turn them in immediately, it will not graded in time for your 1st Marking Period grade (which ends this Friday).

Environmental Science 2:
• If you were busy doing make-up exam today, we have completed Classwork #1 assignment in-class today. I am enclosing the questions below, you may complete them by perform a little internet research and submit your work.

• Classwork #1: Solid Waste Disposal (I) (Name, Period, Date, Assignment Title)
1. Where do most of New York City’s solid wastes go? Specifically what kind of waste disposal facility?
2. What are the environmental impacts created by dumping of NYC’s solid wastes?
3. What kind of materials are collected through curbside recycling programs?
4. What is a “superfund site”?

Dr. Liu

Update for 10/9/2009

Here is the update for this weekend:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• Reminder: HW #10 due Tuesday (See yesterday's posting).
• Lab. Report #4 Due Tuesday.
• Unit 1 Exam on Tuesday.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Lab. Report #19 Due Tuesday.

• Please use the data set below for Part 2 of your experiment:

Hot Water: 87 grams
Initial Temp. 26.4 oC
0.5 min 55.0 oC
1.0 min 55.4 oC
1.5 min 55.2 oC
2.0 min 55.1 oC
2.5 min 55.1 oC
3.0 min 55.0 oC
Final Temp: 55.0 oC

Environmental Science 2:
• Now that you've finished the unit exam, enjoy the weekend!

That's all, folks, have a good weekend.

Dr. Liu

Update for 10/8/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW #10: (Due Tuesday) Holt - Read pp. 40~45; Do p. 45 Problems #3, 5, 7, 8.
• Reminder: Lab. #4 tomorrow in Rm. 311.
• Reminder: Unit Exam #1 on Tuesday.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Steam-off!
• Reminder: Lab. #19 tomorrow in Rm. 311.

Environmental Science 2:
• Unit Exam #1 tomorrow in Rm. 311. Study hard!

Dr. Liu

Update for 10/7/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• As promised, I have uploaded the answer to the review sheet for Unit 1 here. Use that to help you study.
• Unit Exam #1 has been postponed to Tuesday 10/13/2009. Use these five extra days to your advantage (to learn the materials better).

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Unit Exam tomorrow. Study hard!

Environmental Science 2:
• Make sure you complete HW #5 and submit it by tomorrow.
• Unit Exam on Friday.

Dr. Liu

Update for 10/6/2009

Here is the update:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW: Work on your review sheet for the upcoming exam.
• Unit Exam on Thursday.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW: Work on the two review sheets for the upcoming exam.
• Unit Exam on Thursday.

Environmental Science 2:
• HW #5 (Due Tomorrow) - I could not locate the specific URL for the classification of hazardous wastes. Hence, I've enclosed the notes and the HW questions here.
• Reminder: Unit Exam on Friday.

Dr. Liu

Update for 10/5/2009

Here it is...

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW #9: (Due Tomorrow) Holt - Read pp. 54~59, Do p. 59 Practice Problems 1, 2, 3
• Interim Progress report been sent out tonight.
• Unit Exam on Thursday.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #7 (Due tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 241-248; Do p. 248 #1, #4(a-c), #5, #6 (a,b)
• Interim Progress report been sent out tonight.
• Unit Exam on Thursday.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW today.
• Unit Exam on Friday.

Dr. Liu

Update for 10/2/2009

Here are the updates for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• Lab. Report #3 due on Monday.
• Unit Exam to be held next Wednesday/Thursday.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Lab. Report #18 due on Monday.
• Unit Exam to be held next Wednesday/Thursday.

Environmental Science 2:
• HW #4 (Due Monday): Answer all the questions on the two case studies related to mining and soil erosion (handout).
• Unit Exam to be held possibly next week.

Have a good weekend.

Dr. Liu

Update for 10/1/2009

Here are the updates for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• No new HW for tonight.
• Reminder: Lab. #3 tomorrow in Rm. 311.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• No new HW for tonight.
• Reminder: Lab. #18 tomorrow in Rm. 311.

Environmental Science 2:
• Reminder: Class meet in Rm. 311 tomorrow.

Dr. Liu

Update for 9/30/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW #8 (Due Tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 62-63; complete both parts of worksheet on unit conversion and scientific notation.
• Unit Exam likely to be next Tuesday.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #6 (Due Tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 234-240; Do p. 240 #10 c, d, e; #11 a, b, c; #12 a, b, c.
• Unit Exam likely to be next Tuesday.

Environmental Science 2:
• If I do not receive Barrier Island Report and Letter to the Editor by tonight in my e-mail box, you will get a zero for both assignments.
• Possible unit exam next week.

Dr. Liu

Update for 9/29/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• There are a lot of people who did not hand in their Lab. Report #2 along with their lab. sheet. Be sure to turn both in (stapled together) otherwise you will not get the credit for the whole report.
• HW #8 Worksheet on Unit conversion and scientific notation has been distributed today. Due date is this Thursday.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• No new HW assigned today.

Environmental Science 2:
• If you do not hand in/e-mail both your report and your letter to the editor to my account by tomorrow (Wednesday night), then you will get "0" for both assignments (which accounts for 20% of your grade). After tomorrow night, all late submissions will be rejected.

Dr. Liu

Update for 9/25/2009

Here are the updates for this weekend:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• (From Yesterday) HW #7 (Due Tuesday): Holt - Read pp. 12~15; Do p. 14 Problems #1, 2, 3.
• Reminder: Lab. Report #2, along with completed worksheet, due Tuesday.
• Possible Unit Exam toward the end of next week.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• (From Yesterday) HW #5 (Due Tuesday): Complete the Worksheet: Chemical Equations distributed yesterday.
• Reminder: Lab. Report #17, along with completed worksheet, due Tuesday.
• Possible Unit Exam toward the end of next week.

Environmental Science 2:
• Penalty will be imposed if your Pt. 1 report on Barrier Island is not in my e-mail box by tonight: "drliu.iths@gmail.com". All document should be in one of the following format: .doc , .rtf , .txt , or .pdf.
• For Pt. 2, you are to type an open letter to the editor of a newspaper to convince the readers of your position on whether Barrier Island should be developed. You need to support your position with the knowledge you have gained from research on the Barrier Islands. Complete and send the letter to me by Monday.

Have a good weekend!

Dr. Liu

Update for 9/24/2009

Here are the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• So, was the quiz that hard? I don't think so...
• If you haven't complete HW #6, make sure you complete it for tomorrow and hand it in the lab. (remind me about it)...
• HW #7 (Due Tuesday): Holt - Read pp. 12~15; Do p. 14 Problems #1, 2, 3.
• Reminder: Lab. #2 tomorrow in Rm. 311.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #5 (Due Tuesday): Complete the Worksheet: Chemical Equations distributed today (Every questions).
• Reminder: Lab. #17 tomorrow in Rm. 311.

Environmental Science 2:
• Complete the barrier island report and e-mail it to my e-mail address by tonight: "drliu.iths@gmail.com".
• Bring the Barrier island project instruction sheet for tomorrow. We will meet in Rm. 311.

Dr. Liu

Update for 9/23/09

Here are the updates for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW #6 (Due tomorrow, but you may turn it in on Friday): Holt - Read pp. 457-459, Do p. 28 problems # 10, 11, 13, and p. 459 Problems #7, 8.
• Quiz tomorrow on everything we have covered so far (Classification of matter, physical vs. chemical changes, separating mixture). Study your notes!

Regent Chemistry 2:
• No new HW assignment today.

Environmental Science 2:
• Finish your barrier island report by tomorrow night.

Dr. Liu

Update for 9/22/09

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• No HW today.
• Quiz on Thursday, Study your notes!

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Complete your HW #4 for tomorrow.

Environmental Science 2:
• Complete your report on Barrier Islands and E-mail it to me by Thursday night.

Dr. Liu

Update for 9/21/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• No new HW today. Be prepared for Quiz later this week.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #4 (Due tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 275-285; Do p. 285 Problems #8 a-d, #9 a-b.
• Unit Exam is likely to be later this week or early next week.

Environmental Science 2:
• No new HW today. Make sure you complete your report on barrier islands before this Friday and send it to my e-mail box: "drliu.iths@gmail.com".
• In your report, be sure to address the following points:
- the geological and physical nature of barrier islands
- how barrier islands change over time
- how beaches on barrier island is maintained
- how different states protect barrier islands
- what happens to permanent structures on barrier islands
- state your position after taken all these factors into consideration

Dr. Liu

Update for 9/18/2009

Here is the update for this weekend:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• If you handed in the HW and the Lab 1 Lab Safety Worksheet, you're free for this weekend.
• Possible quiz/test toward the end of next week.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Lab. Report #16 due Monday (along with the completed lab. sheet).
• Finish and submit HW #3 by Monday (if you haven't).

Environmental Science 2:
• Continue to work on the Barrier Island project. Report for Goal #1 is due by next Friday. Please e-mail the completed report in .txt or .doc format as an attachment to my e-mail box: "drliu.iths@gmail.com".
• Keep the handout, we will work on Goal #2 next week.

Have a good weekend.

Dr. Liu

Update for 9/17/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW #5 (DUE TOMORROW): Holt - Read pp. 27~28; Do p. 28 Problems # 1, 9, 12

Regent Chemistry 2:
• After today's lesson, you should be able to complete HW #3 by tomorrow : Holt - Read pp. 302-304; Do p. 304 Problems 1, 2.

Environmental Science 2:
• No Homework today.

REMINDER ALL CLASSES:
1. If you have not received your interim progress report by now, make sure you send me an e-mail with your complete name and period # in the subject heading. My e-mail address is "drliu.iths@gmail.com". Please include your parent's e-mail in the body of the letter if available.
2. ALL CLASSES (Chem 1, Chem 2, and Env Sci 2) will be held in Rm. 311 on Friday unless otherwise noted (to conduct lab exercise/activities).

Dr. Liu

Update for 9/16/2009

Here is the update for today:

Chemistry 1:
• HW #4 (Due tomorrow): Holt Read pp. 21 ~ 28; Do p. 28 Problems # 3, 6, 7, 8.

Chemistry 2:
• HW #3 (Due tomorrow) : Holt Read pp. 302-304; Do p. 304 Problems 1, 2.

Environmental Science 2:
• HW #3 (Due tomorrow): Based on the case study 2 in the handout, answer the following questions:
Q1. What are the social and economic consequence of The Black Death? Explain.
Q2. Briefly describe other possible factors that might cause human population decline in today’s society.


• Reminder: You all should be receiving your interim progress report sometimes tonight. If you did not, then come to talk to me tomorrow or send an e-mail to my e-mail address so I can simply copy and paste. Please include your parent's e-mail as well.

Dr. Liu

Update for 9-15-2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1:
• HW #3 (DUE TOMORROW): Holt - Read pp. 10 ~ 19; Do p. 19 Problems # 2, 5, 6.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #2 due date has been extended to tomorrow, make sure you finish the HW.
• Quiz #1 tomorrow on balancing the equations.

REMINDER: The lab for all Chemistry classes is Friday during regular class time in Rm. 311. Since there will be no other day for lab., it's is very important for you to make it to the Friday's lab.

Environmental Science 2:
• HW #2 (Due tomorrow): NASA Plant Growth Experiment worksheet.

Dr. Liu

Update for 9/14/2009

Here is the update for today,

Chemistry 1:
• If you handed in HW #2 today, there is no new HW today.

Chemistry 2:
• The due date for HW #2 has been postponed 'til tomorrow. With the rule learned in class today, see if you can balance the HW problems.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW today.

Remember, a trial testing of your e-mail address will be conducted on Wednesday. Make sure you submit information sheet that contain your e-mail address by tomorrow.

Dr. Liu

Update for 9/11/2009

Alright, here is the update for this weekend:

Chemistry 1:
• HW #2 (Due Monday): Holt - Read pp. 4~9; Do p. 9 Problems #3, 5, 6, 7.
• There are some students that did not submit Info. Sheet with P1 and P9 availability. This means that you will not be programmed for the lab. Please address this immediately on Monday.

Chemistry 2:
• HW #2 (Due Monday): Holt - Read pp. 267-274; Do p. 274 Problems #4, 5, 6, 9.

• Chemistry Online textbook information:
URL: http://my.hrw.com
UserID: ithschem
Password: drliu2006

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW this weekend.

• Reminder: Each HW submitted must include following header information:
Name (first and last), Period, Date submitted, HW # with page and question #, and copy down the questions.


Have a good weekend.

Dr. Liu

Update 9-10-2009

Okay, here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 1 & 2:
• HW #1: Have your parent read through the course syllabus, print and sign his/her name on the back page. This will be collected tomorrow and will be returned after the HW credit is given (Do not tear off the signature part).
• Check the online textbook access and see how you like it. Then decide whether you want to check out a textbook tomorrow.

Environmental Science 2:
• HW #1: Have your parent read through the course syllabus, print and sign his/her name on the back page. This will be collected tomorrow and will be returned after the HW credit is given (Do not tear off the signature part).

That's all for the 1st day.

Dr. Liu

9-09-09 Update: Welcome Back!

To my students,

Welcome back to 2009-2010 School Year!

After the summer break, I am sure you're all eager to learn new stuffs so as to make yourself "smarter" and "wiser". The first step in all of this is to take control and be responsible for your own study/works. If you don't help yourself, your parents won't be able to help you, and your teachers won't be able to help you.

Be sure to bring notebook, pen, and the right state of mind for this coming year. We shall begin tomorrow.

Dr. Liu

Summer Vacation!!

That's it, boys and girls, the end of the 2008-09 academic year and the beginning of the Summer vacation!

I know some of you have summer jobs, while other may take some classes, or just relax and enjoy the break. Regardless what you do, take some time to enjoy the vacation, so you will all be ready for another challenging academic year after this summer break.

See you all in September. Until then, I'm signing off...

Dr. Liu

Update for 6/24/2009

To my students,

Haven't update this blog for a while... By now perhaps most of you are done with all the Regent exams and getting ready for your summer breaks. We do have one more school day, though... On Friday, you're supposed to report to your regular 3rd period class at 9:00 AM to get your attendance taken and to receive your report card. After taking care of both items, then you will be dismissed...

So, just one more day, then...

• Reminder: If you have not return your book, please bring it in on Friday and returned it. The school will start sending the bill starting next week.

Dr. Liu

Key for Review Pkgs

Here is the link to the key for your regent review package.

Go for it!

Dr. Liu

Update for 6/15/2009

So, this is it, huh? Last day - before the Regents, that is...

Alright, Here it is, then:

• Make sure you study for the Regent Exams. You've work hard for the whole year, now you've got to make sure that you finish it on the right note after all those hard works!!

• Morning Session Regents begin at 8:15 AM, afternoon session Regents begin at 12:15 PM. Give yourself sometimes before the session starts by coming in about 10~15 minutes early.

• Bring your student photo ID, a few black/blue pens and pencils, and a scientific calculator. (And bring your textbook to be returned).

• Get some rests the nights before the exam.

Good Luck!!!

Dr. Liu

Update for 6/12/2009

Here is the update for this weekend:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Complete 3 new HW pkgs distributed today for Monday review. Will post the answers on the blog sometimes on Monday (or earlier, if possible).
• Return the textbook Prompto! If the textbook is not returned, your first mail from the school after the Regent week will be a bill for $95.00.
• Last Saturday Regent Prep in Chemistry will be tomorrow from 10AM ~ 1PM.
• We are entering the final stretch: Whether the works you put in during this whole year will be validated by your performance on the Regent Exam. Don't let up!!

Environmental Sciences 1 & 2:
• No Work this weekend... Prepare your other Regent exams...

Dr. Liu

Update for 6/11/09

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Work on the two HW Pkgs for tomorrow: Acides & Bases, and Reactions.
• Continue to study for your Chemistry Regent Exam.
• Text book Return - Tomorrow!!!!!!

Environmental Sciences 1:
• Final chance to submit your GMO Project is TOMORROW!!!!
• Last day for assignment submission and make-up test is tomorrow.

Environmental Sciences 2:
• No HW today. Last day for assignment submission and make-up test is tomorrow.

Dr. Liu

Update for 6/10/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Cumulative Regent Practice Exam Tomorrow. (Will count as one exam in 3rd MP grade).
• New HW pkg. on acids-bases distributed today. You won't be responsible for its content on tomorrow's exam. Complete it for Friday.
• Reminder: Bring your Chemistry textbook to be returned during this week.

Environmental Sciences 1:
• Be sure to complete your GMO Project by either tomorrow or Thursday.
• As I have mentioned, there are some changes regarding studying questions of GMO Project:
* Instead of answering all ten study questions, I am going to allow you to select any six questions out of the ten listed and answer them to the best of your ability (after doing some research). Be sure to label the selected questions and answers clearly.

Environmental Sciences 2:
• No HW today.
• Reminder: I have only received a limited number of your renewable energy projects. It will count toward 20% of your grade.

Dr. Liu

Update for 6/9/2009

Here are the updates for today:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• No new HW pkg. today. Finish up the B-2 Practice questions started in class today.
• Cumulative Regent Practice Exam is this Thursday! (Will count as one exam in 3rd MP grade).
• Finish all your HW pkgs! We will go over selected problems tomorrow.
• Reminder: Bring your Chemistry textbook to be returned during this week.

Environmental Sciences 1:
• Unit Exam tomorrow.
• Be sure to complete your GMO Project by either tomorrow or Thursday.
• Changes Regarding Studying Questions of GMO Project:
1) Instead of answering all ten study questions, I am going to allow you to select any six questions out of the ten listed and answer them to the best of your ability (after doing some research). Be sure to list the selected questions and answers clearly.
2) For 2nd question, check the following link.

Environmental Sciences 2:
• Unit Exam tomorrow.
• Reminder: I have only received a limited number of your renewable energy projects. It will count toward 20% of your grade.

Dr. Liu

Update for 6/8/09

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Regent Prep continues: Work on HW pkg. #4 (Bonding) and #5 (Solutions) for tomorrow.
• Cumulative Regent Practice Exam on Thursday (Will count as one unit exam).
• Reminder: Textbook Return this week (or you get a bill for $95 right after the Regent Exam).

Environmental Sciences 1:
• Project on Genetically Modified Crops due this Wednesday.
• In view of Senior graduation rehearsal (Thursday, Monday) and Senior BBQ (Friday), I've no choice but to move the last unit exam to Wednesday.

Environmental Sciences 2:
• Project on renewable resources is way past due!!
• Unit Exam on this Wednesday.

Dr. Liu

Update for 6/5/2009

Here is the update for this weekend:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• 2 Regent HW Packets #2 and #3 due Monday.
• Deadline for all late/missing HW is tonight - No more make-up HW submission after tonight.
• Textbook return starting next Monday.
• Saturday Regents Prep for Chemistry continues tomorrow 10 AM ~ 1 PM in Rm. 336.

Environmental Sciences 1:
• A mini-research paper on genetically modified food has been assigned today. You are to perform literature research in order for you to answer the ten questions posed (in questions and answers format). After you complete the questions, you are to write a short essay for the following question: Do you feel genetically modified crops is the right solution for addressing the growing demands of a sharply rising human population?
• The project has to be typed (with 1.5 lines spacing) and will be due next Wednesday. For the guideline of the project, see here. At the end of the project, include a separate reference section listing the sources of information for your answers.
• Last unit exam will be next Thursday.

Environmental Sciences 2:
• Reminder: Your Project on renewable energy resources is PAST DUE!!! (The project has to be typedd and be sure to include a reference section).
• Last unit exam is likely to be next Wednesday or Thursday.

Dr. Liu

Chemistry Regent Review Preparation

To my students,

Now that we're in the Regent Exam Preparation mode (June 17 is the exam date), here are what you will need to do:

1. Make sure you get a scientific calculator (non-graphing one) and become familiarize with how to use them.
2. Spend at least 1 to 1 1/2 hrs each day going over each of the topic below and get some practices with Regent review problems on the topics.
3. Be certain that you can use everything on the References Tables.

• Topics for Chemistry Regent Exam:
M. Math Skills (in all topics)
I. Atomic Concepts
II. Periodic Table and Trends
III. Moles/Stoichiometry
IV. Chemical Bonding
V. Physical Behaviors of Materials (Including Gas Laws)
VI. Kinetics / Equilibrium
VII. Organic Chemistry
VIII. Oxidation-Reduction
IX. Acids, Bases and Salts
X. Nuclear Chemistry

So how will you do that? Well, I will be assigning a HW packet each day on a single topic. You will do the packet and at the same time review the materials to help refresh your memory. There are two ways to get some reviews on each topic:
a) Go to Queensborough public library (or any NY public library) or Barnes and Nobles to check out/buy the Barron's Let's Review Book on Chemistry (Blue book) - and to read them, of course (not just putting under your pillow). OR
b) Use the resources on the internet. I would recommend Chemcool.com for review on each topic, and use Oswego's site for topic-based practice questions.
c) For comprehensive regent exam practices, down load the past exams (and answers) from here and just do a lot of practice to become familiarize with Regent format and questions.

In class we will go over selected regent problems and answers and review the topics if necessary. Remember, you've come this far, now you have to keep yourself focused on what needs to be done and then just get it done!

Good Luck!

Dr. Liu

Update for 6/3/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Regent HW Packet #1 due Friday.

Environmental Sciences 1:
• No new HW today. Be sure to complete your essay HW on mandatory birth control.
• A mini-project will be assigned on Friday - it will be due next Tuesday.

Environmental Sciences 2:
• Your Project on renewable energy resources is PAST DUE!!! (Be sure to include a reference section).

Enjoy your little break, see you on Friday.

Dr. Liu

Update for 6/2/09

Here is the update:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Okay, now we get our unit 13 exam out of the way, you should get yourself ready in the mode for Regent Preps... Only 15 days away!
• For those who still have yet to meet the mandatory lab requirement, remember, TOMORROW IS THE FINAL DEADLINE !!
• Reminder: This Friday is the deadline for making up any missing/late HWs (No makeup will be accepted after this date).

Environmental Science 1:
• No HW today.

Environmental Science 2:
• Research paper project on renewable energy due tomorrow.

Dr. Liu

Update for 6/1/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Unit 13 Exam on Nuclear Chemistry tomorrow - Open Notes.
• You should have checked your Regent Eligibility status posted on the bulletin board today. Although I've been asked to submit the final regent eligibility list already, for those who are missing only a few labs (target is 28 labs to be eligible for Regents), if you finish and submit your labs by this Wednesday, I will consider adding your name to the list after I verify the lab report to be satisfactory.
• Reminder: This Friday is the deadline for making up any missing/late HWs. If you can't finish it by then, you can forget about it and be ready for your final grade.
• There will be no more Chemistry labs for the remaining two weeks (so you can sleep a little later...)

Environmental Sciences 1:
• No HW today.

Environmental Sciences 2:
• Renewable resources project due this Wednesday (in 2 days).

Dr. Liu

Update for 5/29/09

Here is the update for this weekend:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• All lab reports (online or hands-on) due by 7 PM tonight => Final deadline!!!
• HW #31 Nuclear Reactions & Transmutations Worksheet due by Monday.
• Test Next Tuesday.
• There will be a Saturday Regent Preps in Chemistry tomorrow from 10 AM ~ 1 PM in Rm. 336.

Environmental Sciences 1:
• No HW this weekend.

Environmental Science 2:
• Work on your renewable energy resource research paper - Due next Wednesday.

Dr. Liu

Update for 5/28/09

Here are the updates:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #30 (Due tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 648-657, Do p. 657 Problems #2, 3, 5a-d.
• The due date for all online labs. and all hands-on labs is tomorrow - Absolute Final Deadline.
• Expect a unit exam on Radioactivity possibly next Monday.

Environment Sciences 1:
• No HW today. However, not everyone has handed in the HW from yesterday.

Environmental Sciences 2:
• A research project on renewable energy resource has been assigned in class. The due date for the project is next Wednesday.

Dr. Liu

Update for 5/27/09

Here are the updates for today:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• No HW today.
• Lab. #30 continue tomorrow 1st period in Rm. 311 - last lab this semester.
• The due date for all online labs. and all hands-on labs is this Friday - Absolute Final Deadline.
• Expect a unit exam on Radioactivity next Monday or Tuesday.

Environmental Sciences 1:
• HW #2 (Due tomorrow): Essay - Write an essay discuss your opionion and the pros and cons of using mandatory birth controls and sterilization tactics to control overpopulation.

Environmental Sciences 2:
• HW #6 (Due tomorrow): Essay - After you saw the scientific evidences presented in the movies "An Inconvenient Truth" and "Global Warming or Global Governance?", What is your take on the issue of Global Climate Change? Support your opinion by presenting your arguments in a well-developed essay.

Dr. Liu

Update for 5/26/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Homework #29 (Due tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 642-647, Do p. 647 #2, 5, 6, 7.
• Lab. #30 continue tomorrow 9th period in Rm. 311.
• The due date for all online labs. and all hands-on labs is this Friday - Absolute final deadline.
• I'll be sending you the 3rd term interim progress report tonight.

Environmental Sciences 1 & 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 5/22/2009

To my students... Here is the update for this weekend:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #28 (Due Tuesday): Holt - Read pp. 658-666, Do p. 660 #1, 2; p. 662 #2, 3; p. 666 #5, 6, 7, 8.
• If you have not finished Lab. #27 Worksheet, be sure to complete it for Tuesday submission.
• Reminder: All Labs Due next Friday (Online make-up or hands-on labs) - Regent Eligibility finalization.
• Lab. #28 next Tuesday 1st period in Rm. 311 (Group B).

• By the way, there is no Saturday Regent Preps this week.

Environmental Sciences 1 & 2:
• No HW this weekend.

Have a good Memorial Day weekend!

Dr. Liu

Update for 5/21/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Okay, now the Unit 12 Exam is done, finish the Lab. #27 Worksheet and submit it by tomorrow.
• Reminder 1: If you attended the labs but failed to submit lab report during this semester, you're to finish all those missing labs quickly and submit them by tomorrow.
• Reminder 2: If you did not attend the labs., check my posting this week (5/19) to select the online labs that you can complete to fulfill the mandatory lab requirement. Remember, deadline for all make-up labs is next Friday.

Environmental Sciences 1 & 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 5/20/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• UNIT 12 EXAM - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY TOMORROW!
• The key to today's review sheet is here.
• Lab. #27 continues tomorrow 1st period in Rm. 311 for Group A. If possible, I'd like you all to finish the lab. worksheet and submit them by this Friday.
• Reminder: Late Chem-2 Lab. reports (actual labs) due by this Friday.
• Reminder: Online Make-up labs for Chem 2 term due by next Friday.

Environmental Sciences 1 & 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 5/19/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Work on your HW #27 Organic Reactions Worksheet for tonight. We will go over them tomorrow.
• Lab. #27 continue tomorrow during 9th period in Rm. 311 (Group C).
• Unit Exam #12 - Organic Chemistry on Thursday.
• Reminder: If you have not submitted Chemistry Term-2 lab reports, I want you to submit them by this Friday - I will be starting to determine whether you qualify for Regents after next week's lab. If you missed the labs, start making up the labs online from the following list:

Chem. 2 Lab List
14. Heat Conduction in Solids
15. Specific Heat
16. Evaporation
17. Solubility
18. Crystal Violet Bleaching
19. Enzymes
20. Reaction Rate Wet Lab
21. Equilibrium Constant
22. Acid-Base Titration
23. Indicators
24. Iron-Tin Reaction
25. Oxidizing Power


Environmental Sciences 1 & 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 5/18/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• I've postponed the deadline for HW#25 - IUPAC nomenclature of functional groups 'til tomorrow. With today's lesson, you should have all the information need to do the HW.
• HW#26 (Due tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 696-701, Do p. 701 Problem #2, 3, 7, 8.
• Unit Exam on Organic Chemistry has been postponed to Thursday.
• Lab. #27 tomorrow 1st Period for Group B in Rm. 311.

Environmental Science 1 & 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 5/15/2009

Here is the update for this weekend:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #25 Worksheet on IUPAC Nomenclature due Monday.
• Lab. Report #26 Due Monday.
• Unit Exam on Organic Chemistry possibly next Wednesday.
• Saturday Chemistry Regent Preps continues tomorrow from 10 AM ~1 PM.

Environmental Sciences 1 & 2:
• No HW this weekend.

Dr. Liu

Update for 5/14/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• No HW today. Work on your Lab. Report #26 as it will be due on Monday (there will be another worksheet for HW tomorrow).
• Unit Exam on Organic Chemistry should take place around Next Wednesday.

Environmental Sciences 1 & 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 5/13/2009

Here is the update:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #24 Branched Hydrocarbon Worksheet due tomorrow. (Except PD. 7, which has it as a Quiz).
• Lab. #26 continues tomorrow 1st Period in Rm. 311 (Group A).

Environmental Sciences 1:
• No HW today.

Environmental Sciences 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 5/12/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #23 (Due tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 687-695, Do p. 695 Problems #1, 4, 6, 8
• Reminder: Lab. #26 continue tomorrow 9th PD. in Rm. 311 for Group C.

Environmental Sciences 1 & 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 5/11/2009

Hey boys and girls,

you must have enjoyed my outing today, huh? Hope you didn't make a big mess of the classroom...

I was experiencing some pretty severe allergy symptoms; instead of going to school and make you all running scared, I figured I'll stay at home for a day, then..

At this point I am expecting to return to school tomorrow. So for Chemistry Lab Group B, be sure to show up for Period 1 Lab. tomorrow at Rm. 311.

Dr. Liu

Update for 5/8/2009

Here is the update for this weekend:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• All Chem 1 make-up labs due by end of the day today (May 8th)
• Complete HW #22: Hydrocarbon Worksheet by Monday.
• Lab. Report #25 due Monday.

P.S. Chemistry Saturday Regents Prep will be held tomorrow from 10 AM ~ 1 PM in Rm. 336.

Environmental Sciences 1 & 2:
• No work this weekend - enjoy your post-exam weekend.

Dr. Liu

Update for 5/7/2009

Here is the updates for today:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Try to work on the HW #22: Hydrocarbon worksheet tonight to see what kind of troubles you run into. The due date has been postponed until Monday.
• Remember: All Chem 1 make-up labs due by tomorrow (May 8th).
• Lab. Report #25 Due Monday.

Environmental Sciences 1:
• Study your review sheet and your notes. Unit Exam #3 tomorrow!

Environmental Sciences 2:
• Study your review sheet and your notes. Unit Exam #3 tomorrow!

Dr. Liu

Update for 5/6/2009

Here is the update for today:

• To all students: If I do not receive an e-mail from you in my e-mail box by midnight tonight with your last name, first name and class period in the subject heading of the letter, you will not receive a detailed progress report for this 2nd marking period and you will have to wait for your report card to find out your 2nd Marking Period grade.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #21 (due tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 678-686; Do p. 686 problems #1, 2, 3, 5.
• Lab. #25 continues tomorrow at 1st Period in Rm. 311 for group A.
• Reminder: Deadline for Chem 1 Online Make-up labs is this Friday (May 8th).

Environmental Sciences 1:
• Unit Exam on Friday - Biomes. Start Study your notes.

Environmental Sciences 2:
• Unit Exam on Friday - Air Pollution & Control. Start Study your notes.

Dr. Liu

Update for 5/5/2009

Here is the update for today:

• To all students: If I do not receive an e-mail from you in my e-mail box by this Wednesday with your last name, first name and class period in the subject heading of the letter, you will not receive a detailed progress report for this 2nd marking period and you will have to wait for your report card to find out your 2nd Marking Period grade.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• No HW for today - Post Exam steam-off!
• Lab. #25 continues tomorrow at 9th Period in Rm. 311 for group C.
• Reminder: Deadline for Chem 1 Online Make-up labs is this Friday (May 8th).

Environmental Science 1 & 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 5/4/2009

Here is the update for today:

• To all students: If I do not receive an e-mail from you in my e-mail box by this Wednesday with your last name, first name and class period in the subject heading of the letter, you will not receive a detailed progress report for this 2nd marking period and you will have to wait for your report card to find out your 2nd Marking Period grade.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Unit 11 Exam Tomorrow.
• Lab. #25 Tomorrow 1st Period in Rm. 311 for Group B.
• Reminder: Deadline for all Chem 1 make-up labs is this Friday (May 8th, 2009).

Environmental Science 1 & 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

SC2 Unit 11 Review Sheets

To Chemistry Students:

In case you were absent on Friday or you need an extra practice for Unit 11 Exam, here is the review sheets.

Dr. Liu

Update for 5/1/2009

Here are the updates for this weekend:

Reminder To all students:
• E-mail me at "drliu.iths@gmail.com" from your e-mail account so I can copy+paste your e-mail address to my gradebook. This will be used to send your 2nd Marking Period Progress report. Please put the information (Last name, First Name, Period #) in the subject heading of the letter.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Work on your Unit 11 review sheet over the weekend!!!
• All Late/Missing Assignments make-up for 2nd marking period are due by midnight tonight (5/1).
• All Chem 1 Make-up labs are due by 5/8/2009 (next Friday).
• Lab Report #24: pH Indicators due next Monday.
• Unit 11 Exam next Tuesday.

Environmental Science 1:
• No HW this weekend.
• Unit Exam likely to be next Wednesday or Thursday.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW this weekend.
• Possible Unit exam next week.

P.S. There is no Chemistry Regent Preps this Saturday.

Dr. Liu

Update for 4/30/2009

Here are the updates for today:

Reminder To all students:
• E-mail me at "drliu.iths@gmail.com" from your e-mail account so I can copy+paste your e-mail address to my gradebook. This will be used to send your 2nd Marking Period Progress report. Please put the information (Last name, First Name, Period #) in the subject heading of the letter.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #20 (Due tomorrow): Do p. 556 Problems #8, 9, 11, 12.
• Reminder: If you have not finished SmartScience Labs (Solubility and Crystal Violet Bleaching), the automatic 5 pts deduction is in effect until the end of this week (next week will be 10 pts deduction).
• All Late/Missing Assignments make-up for 2nd marking period are due by tomorrow (5/1).
• All Chem 1 Make-up labs are due by 5/8/2009 (next Friday)
• Lab Report #24: pH Indicators due next Monday.
• Unit 11 Exam next Tuesday.

Environmental Science 1:
• No HW today.

Environmental Science 2:
• Finish both the graph and answer all the questions on the Activity sheet. Remember to put your name on the sheet before your submission for tomorrow (which is the submission deadline for 2nd Marking Period).
• There will be a quiz tomorrow on ozone depletion.

Dr. Liu

Update for 4/29/2009

Here are the updates for today

Reminder To all students:
• E-mail me at "drliu.iths@gmail.com" from your e-mail account so I can copy+paste your e-mail address to my gradebook. This will be used to send your 2nd Marking Period Progress report. Please put the information (Last name, First Name, Period #) in the subject heading of the letter.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #19 (Due tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 548-556, Do p. 556 Problems #1, 2, 5, 7.
• Reminder: If you have not finished SmartScience Labs (Solubility and Crystal Violet Bleaching), the automatic 5 pts deduction is in effect until the end of this week (next week will be 10 pts deduction).
• Lab. #24 will continue tomorrow during 1st Period in Rm. 311.
• All Late/Missing Assignments make-up for 2nd marking period are due by this Friday (5/1).
• All Chem 1 Make-up labs are due by 5/8/2009 (next Friday)
• Possible Unit Exam early next week.

Environmental Science 1 & 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 4/28/2009

Here is the update for today:

To all students:
• E-mail me at "drliu.iths@gmail.com" from your e-mail account so I can copy+paste your e-mail address to my gradebook. This will be used to send your 2nd Marking Period Progress report. Please put the information (Last name, First Name, Period #) in the subject heading of the letter.

Regent Chemistry 2:
• No HW today (finish HW #18 if you haven't).
• Reminder: If you have not finish SmartScience Labs (Solubility and Crystal Violet Bleaching), the automatic 5 pts deduction is in effect until the end of this week (next week will be 10 pts deduction).
• Lab. #24 will continue tomorrow during 9th period for Group C in Rm. 311.
• All Late/Missing Assignments make-up for 2nd marking period are due by this Friday (5/1).
• All Chem 1 Make-up labs are due by 5/8/2009 (next Friday)
• Possible Unit Exam at the end of this week.

Environmental Science 1:
• No HW today.

Environmental Science 2:
• Finish the concept map for Homework.

Dr. Liu

Update for 4/27/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #18 (Due tomorrow): Holt - Do p. 541 Problems #1, 2, 3, 4.
• If you haven't finish SmartScience Labs assigned during the Spring Break (Solubility and Crystal Violet Bleaching), keep in mind that the automatic point deduction of 5 pts (out of 20 pts possible) is in effect starting this week. Further deductions will be imposed if not completed by Friday of this week.
• Reminder: Lab. #24 for Group B tomorrow 1st PD in Rm. 311.
• Possible Unit Exam by the end of this week.

Environmental Science 1 & 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 4/24/2009

Here is the update for this weekend:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #17 (Due Monday): Holt - Read pp. 539-547; Do p. 547 Problem #1, 2, 3, 6.
• Lab. Report #23 due on Monday.
• All late/missing assignments for 2nd MP is due by 5/1 (next Friday).
• All Chem 1 Term 1 Make-up Labs due by 5/8.
• Saturday Regent Preps for Chemistry will begin on 5/9.
• Expect a unit exam near the end of next week.

Environmental Sciences 1 & 2:
• No HW for this weekend.

Dr. Liu

Update for 4/23/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• No HW today. Complete SmartScience Labs 1) Crystal Violet Bleaching & 2) Solubility by tomorrow. Automatic point deductions will be taken after tomorrow.
• Lab. Report #23 due next Monday.
• The deadline for hand in all late/missing assignment for 2nd marking period is 5/1/2009.
• All Chem-1 make-up (online) labs due by May 8, 2009.

Environmental Sciences 1 & 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 4/22/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• HW #16 (Due tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 535-538; Do p. 538 Problems #4, 6, 10.
• Lab. #23 Continue for Group A 1st Period tomorrow.
• Complete SmartScience Labs 1) Crystal Violet Bleaching & 2) Solubility by this Friday.
• The deadline for hand in all late/missing assignment for 2nd marking period is 5/1/2009.
• All Chem-1 make-up (online) labs due by May 8, 2009.

Environmental Sciences 1 & 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 4/21/2009

So here we go...

Regent Chemistry 2:
• PD. 4 Test Correction due tomorrow.
• HW #15 (Due tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 530-534; Do p. 538 Problems #1, 2, 3.
• Lab. #23 for Group C tomorrow 9th period in Rm. 311.
• Reminder: Complete both SmartSciece lab - Crystal Violet Bleaching and Solubility, by this Friday.
• Deadline for all Chem-1 term make-up labs (online SmartScience Labs): May 8th.

Environmental Science 1 & 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 4/20/2009

Okay, welcome back from the Spring Break!

Here are the updates:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• If you have received the graded Unit 10 Exam, you will be allowed to do a test correction in accordance with the following guideline (Due Tomorrow ONLY): Period 4, Take Note!
i) For Multiple Choice questions: Label the question #, Write down what you think is the correct answer, and provide a written explanation for your final answer. (No explanation, No Credit).
ii) For Constructive response questions: For Question #16, 17, 20, Write down the question as well as your answer (& show work where it's applicable). For #18 & #19, Be sure to explain and answer the question completely.
iii) If your original grade is below 60, the maximum credit would be 30 pts. If your original grade is 60 and above, the maximum # of credit would be 20. Attach your test correction sheet to your exam and hand both of them in tomorrow (stapled).
• The deadline for both required SmartScience Labs: Crystal Violet Bleaching and Solubility is this Friday. If you have trouble access or complete the lab., please see Mr. Ismael to arrange for school's computer access.
• The deadline for completion of all Chem 1 make-up labs is May 8.
• Regular Lab schedule (Lab. #23) resume tomorrow 1st period in Rm. 311 for Group B.

Environmental Sciences 1 & 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Chemistry 1 Make-up Lab List & etc...

Update for Regent Chemistry 2 Class:

Listed below is a list of SmartScience Lab. activities that you can use to make-up the labs you missed during Chemistry 1 term. I've tried to select those labs which cover the same topics as those that we have covered in Chem. 1 term, and you may choose any of the labs listed to satisfy the lab. requirement (for Chem 1). For those that missed Chem. 2 labs and thus need to make up Chem 2 labs, I am enclosing a list below as well, but keep in mind that some of the topics haven't been covered yet, so choose the activities that is lower in number...

Chem. 1 Lab List:
1. Lab Glassware Exercise
2. Measurement
3. Volume Graph
4. Chemical Change
5. Brownian Motion
6. Gas Volume-Temperature
7. Gas Pressure-Temperature
8. Liquid Volume-Temperature
9. Periodic Table Activity
10. Chemical Periodicity
11. Molar Volume
12. Hydrate Analysis Procedure
13. Analysis of Hydrates

Chem. 2 Lab List
14. Heat Conduction in Solids
15. Specific Heat
16. Evaporation
17. Solubility
18. Crystal Violet Bleaching
19. Enzymes
20. Reaction Rate Wet Lab
21. Equilibrium Constant
22. Acid-Base Titration
23. Indicators
24. Iron-Tin Reaction
25. Oxidizing Power

• If you cannot access the labs. from home for any reason, you may complete the labs by going to the make-up labs sessions to be held in school during next week Monday-Thursday from 9 AM ~ 1 PM (to be hosted by Mr. Ismael).

• Also, for those of you that didn't get a copy of Chemistry Spring Break Pkg, here is the link.

• The due date for all Chem 1 Make-up labs completion is by May 1st, 2009.


Enjoy your break!

Dr. Liu

Update for 4/8/2009

Finally, the Spring Break is here!

OK, so here we go:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• Complete Lab. Report #22 - Equilibrium. Due Monday after the recess.
• Complete Spring Break Package - Take-Home Exam. Due Monday after the recess.
• Everyone must complete 2 SmartScience Online Labs for Chemistry 2 Term (Including electronic lab. report) during the Spring Break. The two labs are: 1) Crystal Violet Bleaching (under Kinetic & Equilibrium) and 2) Solubility (under Chemical Bonding).
• For Chem 1 Lab make-ups: I will post a list of online labs that you can choose for term 1 make-up. Try to complete your make-up labs before the break is over.
• If for any reason you're having difficulty accessing online labs from home, Mr. Ismael is conducting make-up lab sessions next Monday thru Thursday from 9 AM to 1 PM in the school using school's computing facility. This would be an option for you if you can't do it from home.

Environmental Sciences 1 & 2:
• No HW or project. Enjoy your break!

Dr. Liu

Update for 4/7/2009

Here is the update for today:

Regent Chemistry 2:
• No HW today.
• Group A - Lab. #22 tomorrow 1st Period in Rm. 311.
• Verify your online SmartScience Lab access (for instruction see last Thursday's posting).
• Lab. Report #22 will be due on the first day after you're back from the Spring Break recess.

Environmental Science 1 & 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 4/6/2009

Here is the update for today:

Chemistry 2:
• Unit 10 Exam Tomorrow.
• Revised schedule for Lab. #22 this week: Same room (Rm. 311)
If you were scheduled for Tues. 1st Pd => No change, Go at same time.
If you were scheduled for Wed. 9th Pd => Go to lab on Tues. 9th Period.
If you were scheduled for Thur. 1st Pd => Go to lab on Wed. 1st Period.
• Check to see if you can login to your SmartScience Lab. Account (for instruction, see last Thursday's posting). Write me an e-mail at drliu.iths@gmail.com and describe what kind of problem you encounter so I can arrange to have someone solve the problem. If you cannot access the smartscience lab from home, please inform Mr. Ismael that you will need to sign up for a few lab-sessions during the Spring break to complete your assignment.

Environmental Sciences 1 & 2:
• Regent Style Assessment on AMNH Project/Module tomorrow.

Dr. Liu

Chemistry 2 Unit 10 Review Sheet - 4/3/09

Sorry guys and gals, I was busy working on an home improvement project all day Saturday, so I didn't get a chance to finish and post the review sheet...

Here is the link to the review sheet.

Work on it during the weekend, so you'll be able to derive the maximum benefit when we go over it on Monday.

Dr. Liu

Update for 4/3/2009

Alright, here is the update for this weekend:

Chemistry 2:
• Verify your SmartScience Lab Account access (i.e., make sure you can login). For instruction see yesterday's posting.
• Lab. Report #21 due Monday (for Part II data see Wednesday's posting).
• Review Sheet to be posted over the weekend (Saturday or Sunday).
• Unit 10 Exam will be on Tuesday.
• For Next week's lab, here is the change in schedule: Same room (Rm. 311)
If you were scheduled for Tues. 1st Pd => No change, Go at same time.
If you were scheduled for Wed. 9th Pd => Go to lab on Tues. 9th Period.
If you were scheduled for Thur. 1st Pd => Go to lab on Wed. 1st Period.

Environmental Sciences 1 & 2:
• For those group which did not get a chance to present today, we will finish the presentation on Monday.
• Regent Style Assessment For this module is going to be on Tuesday!

Have a good weekend.

Dr. Liu

Update for 4/2/2009

Here is the update for today:

Chemistry 2:
• No HW today. However, I would like to ask you to verify your online lab accessing capability.
1. Go to URL: http://smartsciencelab.com/NYCPS
2. Select: Information Technology High School
3. Find your name in one of my 3 classes: Dr.Liu - Chem 21, Dr.Liu - Chem 22, Dr. Liu - Chem 23. (It could be in any of the 3 classes).
4. Once you find your name, Select your name, Then Type in your 9-digits OSIS # (Student ID #) as your password and press Login button.
5. Now you're in. You should be able to click on a few activities and see how it opens up separate windows for the activities.
Tips: Firefox should work best, while Internet Explorer and Safari are both supported. Turn off "Block pop-up windows" since the software runs Java 1.5 and above in pop-up windows. Let me know if you have any problem login.
• Part II data for Lab. #21 was posted yesterday. Use that data if you did not get a chance to finish Part II of the experiment.
• Unit 10 Exam to be held next Tuesday.

Environmental Sciences 1 & 2:
• Presentation Tomorrow. Make sure you have a written documentation of your presentation or how you want to go about presenting your study of the problem (to be submitted after your presentation). Remember, you must be present and contribute to the presentation to receive the credit.

Dr. Liu

Update for 4/1/2009

Unit Exam Tomorrow.



Sorry, can't help it, it's April Fool's Day!

Okay, back to our regular program:

Chemistry 2:
• HW #14 (Due tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 512-518; Do p. 518 Q.: #1, 2, 3, 8, 9
• Reminder: Group A Lab. #21 tomorrow 1st period in Rm. 311.
• Unit 10 Exam likely to be held on Monday next week...
• Please check your Chem 1 Lab record on the bulletin board in Rm. 336. This will determine # of make-up labs needed for you to take to satisfy 1st semester chemistry lab requirement.
• For those of you that did not get a chance to do part II of the experiment on Tuesday, please note the following changes.
1. Instead of adding 10 mL 2.0M HCl into a beaker with 50 mL tap water, now we use 30 mL 2.0M HCl with 10 mL water.
2. Fill the 3 test tubes each with 10 mL of acid solution from step 1.
Data:
Test Tube 1 with rolled strip: reaction time is 215 sec.
Test Tube 2 with flat strip: reaction time is 195 sec.
Test Tube 3 with strip cut into 6 pieces: reaction time is 220 sec.
We also noted that while flat strip float vertically in the test tubes (Tube 2), the cut pieces all stay near the surface of the acid solution (Tube 3).

That should be enough observation for you to answer the question and do the analysis and discussion.


Environmental Sciences 1 & 2:
• Please work on the group presentation to be due this Friday.

Dr. Liu

Update for 3/31/2009

Here is the update for today:

Chemistry 2:
• HW #13 (Due tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 496-501; Do p. 501 Q. # 2, 3, 4, 6.
• Reminder: Lab. #21 for Group C tomorrow 9th period in Rm. 311.
• Unit 10 Exam likely to be next Monday.

Environmental Science 1 & 2:
• You should all be finishing up the data/graph analysis and group lab. reports by end of the class tomorrow.

Dr. Liu

Update for 3/30/2009

Here is the update for today:

Chemistry 2:
• No HW today.
• Reminder: Group B Lab. #21 tomorrow 1st Period in Rm. 311.
• Possible Unit Exam toward the end of this week.

Environmental Sciences 1 & 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 3/27/2009

Here is the update for this weekend:

Chemistry 2:
• Finish HW #12 for Monday (See Thursday's posting).
• Complete Lab. Report #20 for Monday.
• Be ready to have a unit exam close to the end of the week.

Environmental Sciences 1 & 2:
• No HW this weekend.

Have a good weekend.

Dr. Liu

Update for 3/26/2009

Here is the update for today:

Chemistry 2:
• HW #12 (Due Monday): Holt - Read pp. 589-595, Do p. 595 Problems #3, 4, 9, 11, 13.
• Reminder: Lab. Report #20 due Monday!

Environmental Sciences 1 & 2:
• No HW today.

Reminder: Tomorrow will follow Monday's schedule from PD. 1 thru 5, starting at 8:10 AM, ends at 11:30 AM.

Dr. Liu

Update for 3/25/2009

Here is the update for today:

Chemistry 2:
• HW #11 (Due tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 576-584; Do p. 585 #1, 4, 5, 6.
• Reminder: Lab. #20 for Group A 1st period tomorrow in Rm. 311.

Environmental Science 1 & 2:
• Complete the Homework questions on the fact sheet for tomorrow.

Dr. Liu

Update for 3/24/2009

Here is the update for today:

Chemistry 2:
• Post-Exam Steam-off !
• Reminder: Lab. #20 for Group C tomorrow during 9th PD in Rm. 311.

Environmental Science 1 & 2:
• No HW tonight.

Dr. Liu

Update for 3/24/2009

Here is the update for tonight:

Chemistry 2:
• Unit 9 Exam tomorrow. Study hard, as the exam will be... challenging. Make sure you can do the review sheet. For answer key to the review sheet, click here.
• Reminder: Lab. #20 for Group B tomorrow 1st period in Rm. 311.

Environmental Science 1 & 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Chemistry 2 Unit 9 Review Sheet - 3/22/09

To my chemistry class students,

Sorry about the delay, here is the review sheet for Unit 9 Exam.
Work on this review sheet, as it will be more beneficial when we go over it on Monday.

Here is the link to review sheet.

Dr. Liu

Update for 3/20/09

Here is the update for this weekend:

Chemistry 2:
• HW Reading: Holt pp. 478-486.
• Lab. Report #19 Due Monday.
• Over the weekend I'll upload the Exam review sheet onto the blog. Check back to download it and complete it before Monday. I might check on Monday to mark off whether you did the review sheet as Homework.
• Reminder 1: Unit 9 Exam Tuesday.
• Reminder 2: I've noticed that a few of you did not sign the lab. attendance sheet even though you were there. If you did not sign the lab. sheet, remember that it will be counted as missing lab. (and your lab. report will get rejected).

Environmental Science 1 & 2:
• No work this weekend. Enjoy your post-exam break!

Dr. Liu

Update for 3/19/09

Here is the update for today:

Chemistry 2:
• HW #10 Worksheet due tomorrow.
• Reminder: Lab. Report #19 due Monday.
• Unit 9 Exam on Tuesday.

Environmental Science 1:
• Exam #2 Tomorrow. Study Hard.

Environmental Science 2:
• Exam #2 Tomorrow. Study Hard.

Dr. Liu

Update for 3/18/09

Here is the update:

Chemistry 2:
• HW #10 Worksheet on Table F & G Due Friday. (Or if you want to finish it early...)
• Lab. #19 Tomorrow 1st Period in Rm. 311 for Group C.
• Unit 9 Exam next Tuesday.

Environmental Science 1:
• No HW today, start studying...

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW today, start studying...

Dr. Liu

Update for 3/17/2009

Here is the update for today:

Chemistry 2:
• No HW today.
• Reminder: Lab. #19 Tomorrow during PD. 9 in Rm. 311 for Group C.
• Unit 9 Exam will likely be next Monday or Tuesday.

Environmental Science 1:
• No HW today.
• Exam #2 this Friday.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW today.
• Exam #2 this Friday.

Dr. Liu

Update for 3/16/2009

To my students,

Okay... It's the end of 1st marking period, and the beginning of 2nd marking period. By now all of you have gotten your progress report and knew exactly what and how you got the grade that you deserve...

There are two more innings remaining, if you work hard, you can still beat your old self and come up winning (it's never too late to start change your life)...

Chemistry 2:
• Reminder: Lab. #19 tomorrow 1st Period in Rm. 311 for Group B.

Environmental Science 1 & 2:
• No HW today. A new marking period starts tomorrow.

Dr. Liu

Update for 3/13/09

Here is the update for this weekend:

Chemistry 2:
• HW #9 (Due Monday): Holt - Read pp. 468-477. Do p. 477 Problems #2, 6, 8, 10.
• Lab. Report #18 due on Monday.

Environmental Science 1:
• No HW today.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW today.

Have a good weekend.

Dr. Liu

Updates for 3/12/09

Here is the update for today:

Chemistry 2:
• No new HW today.
• Lab. Report #18 due on Monday.

Environmental Science 1:
• No HW today.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 3/11/09

Here is the update for today:

Chemistry 2:
• HW #8 (Due tomorrow): Holt - Read pp. 462-466; Do p. 465 Problems #2, 3, 4, 6, 7
• Group A Lab. #18 Tomorrow during 1st Period in Rm. 311.

Environmental Science 1:
• You should have handed in Classwork #4. No HW today.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW today.

Dr. Liu

Update for 3/10/09

Here is the update for today:

Chemistry 2:
• Read pp. 460-461; Do p. 461 Problems #1, 2, 3, 5, 6
• Group C Lab. #18 tomorrow 9th Period in Rm. 311.

Environmental Science 1:
• No HW today.

Environmental Science 2:
• Finish the worksheet on Three Gorge Dam Project. Due tomorrow.

• Reminder for all classes: Deadline for any and all late/missing assignment is TOMORROW! No late assignment acceptance afterward.

Dr. Liu

Update for 3/9/2009

Here is the update for today:

Chemistry 1:
• No HW today.
• Lab Report #17 past due.
• Lab. #18 starting tomorrow: Group B 1st Period tomorrow in Rm. 311.

Environmental Science 1:
• Classwork #4: Biophysical Environment Quiz.

Environmental Science 2:
• No HW today.

Reminder All Classes: All late/missing assignments due by this Wednesday for 1st marking period entry. No acceptance after this Wednesday.

Dr. Liu