Doolan's Chemistry Class

Lab Management, Measurement, and Calculation

This first unit of Chemistry is all about lab safety and common processes of measurement to ensure precise data and calculations. This is considered to be an essential foundation unit and will percolate throughout all other units for the remainder of the year. Let's do it safely and precisely!

Assigned Lecture

1.1 - Lab Safety - GHS and NFPA Symbols
Lecture Summary: Symbols located on SDS sheets and chemical labels are designed to keep us safe from harm and also allow us to "be in the know" for how to protect ourselves from hazards when using the chemical. Being familiar with the symbols, colors and meanings will help us use dangerous chemicals safely throughout the year.
Supporting Lectures
GHS Pictograms
SDS Sheets
Exploratory Links
Common Lab Equipment Handout
NFPA Diamond Key
GHS Pictograms
Key Q's and Vocab: Lab Safety

Assigned Lecture

1.2 - SI Units and Metric Prefixes
Lecture Summary: SI Units allow the world to exchange data with a standard set of units for major quantities such as mass, volume, and temperature. The metric prefix system is based on powers of ten and allow easy conversion from one scale to another by just moving a decimal.
Supporting Lectures
Metric Conversions Rap
Metric Conversions
Exploratory Links
Key Q's and Vocab: ​SI Units and Metric Prefixes

Assigned Lecture

1.3 - Significant Figures
Lecture Summary: ​Significant figures help us convey precision from our measurements throughout our calculations. A number can never be more precise that the values used to calculate it with. Increments tells us to what precision (decimal place) we can record values from our equipment.
Supporting Lectures
Zero rules for Sig Figs
Exploratory Links
Sig Fig Fable
Key Q's and Vocab: ​Significant Figures

Assigned Lecture

1.4 - Scientific Notation
Lecture Summary: Scientific notation is a way to write both really large and really small numbers with ease. In Chemistry we will work with both really large and really small numbers on a daily basis so writing and reading scientific notation is another essential skill.
Supporting Lectures
Converting Sci Notation
Math with Sci Notation
Exploratory Links
Key Q's and Vocab: ​Scientific Notation

Assigned Lecture

1.5 - Dimensional Analysis
Lecture Summary: Any number multiplied by one is the same number. However, the number one can look many different ways when numbers have different units so UNITS MATTER! When a fraction numerator is equal to a fraction denominator the fraction simplifies to one and is called a conversion factor. We use conversion factors to convert from one set of units to another.
Supporting Lectures
Exploratory Links
Math Tutorial Packet
This math packet was shared with me by Todd Abronowitz years ago. It gives some very good examples and instruction on how to do dimensional analysis among other things. If you are struggling with the lectures and practice in class but cannot come to tutorials this is the next option for you!
Key Q's and Vocab: ​Dimensional Analysis

Lectures for Unit 1 Are done. Next Lectures found in Unit 2