Today in the classroom:
First year chem are taking a test on nomenclature. We're focused on binary covalent compounds along with ionic compounds. Those who did some form of practice last week will probably be okay. I'm not a huge fan of Monday tests, though.
Second year chem are tying up loose ends on reaction kinetics. They'll take a test midweek.
A gas container using a technology developed by Japanese Nobel Prize winner Susumu Kitagawa is drawing attention for its ability to transport gas more efficiently than conventional gas cylinders. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/08/japan/science-health/japan-nobel-winner-gas-container/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #sciencehealth #gas #susumukitagawa #nobelprize #chemistry
Some nerdy #chemistry humor about TiCl₄
This stuff is formally known as titanium tetrachloride or titanium(IV) chloride, but commonly called “tickle” or “tickle 4” because who doesn't like a catchy name!
Some nerdy #chemistry humor about TiCl₄
This stuff is formally known as titanium tetrachloride or titanium(IV) chloride, but commonly called “tickle” or “tickle 4” because who doesn't like a catchy name!
He instantly recognized the importance of Agnes’ work & to his credit he sent them to Nature, putting the weight of his reputation behind supporting the work of an unknown amateur. Nature published Ages’ letter with Rayleigh’s cover letter. This paper, ‘Surface Tension’ is considered a landmark in the history of surface #chemistry
Find more on my blog: https://minouette.blogspot.com/2026/02/agnes-pockels-find-wonder-while-washing.html?m=1
🧵5/5
substances & impurities. She found that small amounts of impurities could have a large impact on surface tension.
She had tried writing to physicists in vain, but her brother sent her a paper on surface phenomena by renown physicist Lord Rayleigh. She wrote Rayleigh a letter, including all her results. She explained that she had been unable to publish her results in any scientific journal & she gave him her permission to use her results if they were at all useful. 🧵4/5
He instantly recognized the importance of Agnes’ work & to his credit he sent them to Nature, putting the weight of his reputation behind supporting the work of an unknown amateur. Nature published Ages’ letter with Rayleigh’s cover letter. This paper, ‘Surface Tension’ is considered a landmark in the history of surface #chemistry
Find more on my blog: https://minouette.blogspot.com/2026/02/agnes-pockels-find-wonder-while-washing.html?m=1
🧵5/5
Today in the classroom:
2-hour delay this morning because of some surprise lake effect snow. I came in at my normal time because the delay means I lose my prep period.
First year chem will do a review game for a test on nomenclature on Monday.
In second year, we'll go over relative rates of reaction again and break down what's actually happening with particles to discuss rate ratios. Hopefully that helps.
Pep rally this afternoon for winter sports 🎉
Today was a hard day.
I was not a good teacher for my second year chem class. For some reason, my brain hit a wall when trying to describe a concept (relative rates of reaction) and I just could not come up with a good explanation. They're confused, frustrated, and tired. So am I. That's not a good mix.
This class waits for me to explain every single thing. Many have waited too long to start their final assignment and it's all hitting the fan with a test looming.
For #printerSolstice2526 prompt division here is my #linocut portrait of Agnes Pockels (1862-1935), the self-taught scientist who pioneered surface science.
As a woman she did not get the chance to go to university & study physics like her theoretical physicist brother Friedrich, who discovered the Pockels effect. So at 18 she took her "passionate interest for natural science" to her household chores &
https://minouette.etsy.com/listing/4451882120
#womenInSTEM #sciart #histsci #printmaking #chemistry #mastoArt
Today in the classroom:
First year chem had good results with our hydrate lab yesterday. They're getting one more full day to drill nomenclature. We'll review tomorrow and then take a test on Monday.
Second year chem finished their lab reports yesterday. Today, we'll do some clarification on relative rates of reaction and then do some stations to review specific concepts. They'll also text early next week.
Today in the classroom:
First year chem is dehydrating a salt and then calculating the water content for the formula. I was going to use Epsom salts, but the dehydrated MsSO4 is _rock hard_ and a pain to clean. We'll use CuSO4 instead. The blue color change will also be nice.
Second year chem finished lab reports yesterday. Today, they're going to prepare solutions to have a reaction complete at a specific time based on their rate laws.
Today in the classroom:
First year chem is just writing names and formulas for compounds. We've hit binary covalent/ionic, polyatomic ionic, and transition metals. It's a lot to absorb and work through, so lots of guided practice. We'll do a lab with a hydrate tomorrow to break it up.
Second year chem is working with reaction mechanisms and determining rate laws from elementary steps. They're also finishing their iodine clock reports.
Today in the classroom:
First year chem are digging into transition metal charges. We haven't done anything with them yet, so this will ask students to adapt their nomenclature conventions to address ambiguity. Should be fun.
Second year chem is going to get an introduction to molecularity and reaction mechanisms. They're also finishing their iodine clock lab reports and then working on their homework practice set for this week if we have time.
Today in the classroom:
First year chem will do some whiteboard practice with writing compound names and formulas. That'll give me a loose check on understanding after the last two days of practice. They'll also do an exit ticket reflection before they leave.
Second year will look at integrated rate law graphs to understand how rate orders understand changes in reaction rate due to concentration. We won't calculate, just graph data.
Happy birthday to Kathleen Lonsdale DBE FRS (née Yardley, 1903-1971) who solved a longstanding #chemistry conundrum of the shape of benzene, here with her drawing of electron density for hexachlorobenzene (green) & model of hexamethylbenzene explore shape in different forms. Her husband said, “Before prison it might have bothered her to go to Buckingham Palace. Afterwards, Holloway or Buckingham Palace were all the same.” 🧵
https://minouette.etsy.com/listing/1399683976
Happy birthday to Kathleen Lonsdale DBE FRS (née Yardley, 1903-1971) who solved a longstanding #chemistry conundrum of the shape of benzene, here with her drawing of electron density for hexachlorobenzene (green) & model of hexamethylbenzene explore shape in different forms. Her husband said, “Before prison it might have bothered her to go to Buckingham Palace. Afterwards, Holloway or Buckingham Palace were all the same.” 🧵
https://minouette.etsy.com/listing/1399683976
I'm feeling pretty good after a swim this morning before school.
Today in the classroom:
First year chem did well yesterday with binary covalent compounds. I'll throw them binary ionic today and give time to practice the skills.
Second year chem also did well yesterday with calculating reaction rate orders from data. They're getting a whole class period to analyze their iodine clock data and then start writing their formal reports.
My second year chem started their iodine clock reaction analysis today which means a ton of concentration calculations to even be able to _start_ the analysis. I decided to take 20 minutes to help them build their first spreadsheets which calculate everything for them.
It really reduced the cognitive load so they can focus on the kinetics rather than mindlessly doing dilution calculations. They can now do the same for the other reactant. I'm really happy with my choice.
Today in the classroom:
We're actually back in school. I'm hoping for three whole days in a row this week.
First year chem is naming covalent compounds as an intro to writing names and formulas. They're easier and will help us follow procedures.
Second year will start calculating instantaneous reaction rates and then calculate rate orders. We'll do some practice and then apply it to their iodine clock data for the lab report.
