Monday, March 2, 2009

Reflections on SI units, Uncertainty & s.f.

In S.I. units, I learned that the derived units used in chemistry is the product or quotient of the based units. And prefixes are used to ensure that the result has less number of zeros. For uncertainty, I learned about the two rules, one is the rules for addition and subtraction, the other is rules for multiplication and division. Lastly, I need to use the 5 rules to determine the number of significant figures inn a number. Firstly, all non-zero digits are signficant, secondly, any zeros between two digits are significant, thirdly, any zeros to the right of a decimal point till the end of the number are significant, forthly, any zeros to the left of nonzero digit are not significant. Lastly, the trailing zeros in a number without a decimal point may or may not be significant.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

3 Things i learn from Chapter 3&4

Binary Covalent Nomenclature Tutorial-
I learn that the binary covalent nomenclature are pure substance that consist of two non-metallic elements. This are some of the memorise names that will be useful, e.g. Water - H2O,Ammonia - NH3, Methane - CH4, Ethane - C2H6, Propane - C3H8 and etc. I also learn about the prefixes, e.g. mon(o), di, tri and etc. All this will help me in spelling out my chemical formula in full. And also vice versa. I learn also about the roots of non-metals like hydrogen is hyd and etc.

Cation Names and Formulas Tutorial-
I learn that cation are metallic atoms that has the tendency to lose electrons. And also knowing how to predict the Monatomic Cations Charges. And the e.g of monoatomic cation name are akali are group one so is +1 and akaline are group two so is +2 and etc. Lastly, it is the Polyatomic cation name with the formula e.g. NH4+. And that is the only common polyatomic ion.