End-of-Course - Chemistry

Sites to help students practice skills needed for the Chemistry exam

Links verified on 3/18/2011

Standards Atomic Structure | Matter and Energy | Interactions of Matter | Solutions and Acid/Bases

site for teachers | PowerPoint show | Acrobat document | Word document | whiteboard resource | sound | video format | interactive lesson | a quiz | lesson plan | to print

Virginia Standards of Learning - Select Chemistry and 10, 20 or 40 questions - Repeat for a new set of questions
Released Tests - Virginia SOL | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2007 | 2008 |

Printable Chemistry Worksheets - a collection of chemistry worksheets in pdf format, answers to the questions are available on separate worksheets

Standard 1 Atomic Structure The student will investigate atomic structure and its implications for physical and chemical properties.
Level 1
categorize an element as a metal, metalloid, nonmetal or noble gas based on its position in the periodic table & identify an element’s atomic number and name or symbol, given the number of protons or electrons in a neutral atom using a periodic table	The Catalyst has an extensive list of periodic table links ChemicalElements.com has a nice table with Internet links to sites about the elements. Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev - We will never be able to attribute to a single individual the development of the basic building blocks of writing. Yet we do know the name of the man who devised the method of classifying the basic building blocks of matter. Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev! Flash version of the table - Move your cursor over an elements for information. Periodic Table of the Elements Periodic Table - This common chemistry tool is presented as a PowerPoint show with web links to pages about each element. Invisible buttons are used on slide 2. (There are 109 invisible buttons on one slide.) Take a look! A small Periodic Table of the Elements with limited information about each element. This site loads quickly. Proton Don - a FunBrain game using a periodic table that contains the elements' symbols and their periodic numbers. Visual Elements offers two versions. One requires the Shockwave plug-in Flash, and the other is an HTML document
identify protons, neutrons and electrons with regard to their relative mass, relative charge and/or location in an atom	Fun Facts About Atoms - four slides from Jefferson Labs showing size and scale of atoms How to find the number of protons, electrons and neutrons in an atom - a lesson from Jefferson Lab How many electrons fit in each shell around an atom - from Jefferson Lab How to read an electron configuration table - from Jefferson Lab It's Elemental - Element Math Game - answer the question that the computer asks about the number of protons, neutrons, electrons or nucleons (particles in the nucleus) that an atom of that element contains. Press the 'Check my answer' button after you have entered your answer. Protons, Electrons and Neutrons - This page is an exercise in relating the number of protons, electrons and neutrons for an atom or monoatomic ion
Level 2
identify the major characteristics of various models of the atom: Democritus, Thomson, Rutherford, Bohr, and the modern quantum mechanical model	The Bohr Model - proposed by Niels Bohr in 1915 The Bohr Model with a good animation The Rutherford Model The Cloud Model proposed by Erwin Schrödinger
determine the number of protons, neutrons and/or electrons in an atom or ion, given the symbol of the atom or ion and a periodic table	It's Elemental - Element Math Game - answer the question that the computer asks about the number of protons, neutrons, electrons or nucleons (particles in the nucleus) that an atom of that element contains. Press the 'Check my answer' button after you have entered your answer.
compare s and p orbitals in an energy level in terms of general shape, energy and/or numbers of electrons possible	Atomic Orbitals - The table below contains links to VRML files depicting the isosurfaces for various atomic orbitals Atomic Orbitals - This page explains what an atomic orbital is. It explores s and p orbitals in some detail, including their shapes and energies Visualization of Atomic Orbitals - p Orbitals Visualization of Atomic Orbitals - s Orbitals
determine the Lewis electron-dot structure or number of valence electrons for an atom of any main group element (1, 2, 13-18), given its atomic number or its position in the periodic table	A handout to assist you in drawing Lewis structures A 31-question multiple choice practice quiz on Chemical Bonding (Lewis structures) [this expired page is from the Internet Archive known as the Wayback Machine] Confirming and visualizing Lewis Dot Structures - With this activity, students can calculate and visualize the atomic and molecular structures of bonds and lone pairs in the molecule methanol. Construct a Lewis Structure - Starting with a structure indicating only atom connections you can practice constructing a Lewis dot structure. Click on the atom or bond you wish to modify. How to draw a Lewis structure for a molecule The Lewis electron-dot symbols - focus on the electrons in the highest principal energy level in the atom, the valence electrons, the electrons that participate in chemical reactions Lewis Structures - atoms, ions, ionic compounds, and covalent compounds
Level 3
describe the trends present in the periodic table with respect to atomic size, ionization energy, electron affinity or electronegativity	Atoms: The Building Blocks of Matter - a 23 slide PowerPoint show Basic Building Blocks of Green Chemicals - from green chemistry and the ten commandments of sustainability - a 54-slide PowerPoint show Building Block Chemistry - The goal of Building Block Chemistry is to introduce students to chemistry without tackling the whole periodic table at once. Parts of an Atom and Organization of The Periodic Table - a 29 slide PowerPoint show plus nine assessment slides at the end of the show The Periodic Table and the Elements - a 19 slide PowerPoint show Periodic Tendencies -
Sample Task
Flame Test Demonstration: glass petri dishes or watch glasses, chloride compounds (CuCl 2, SrCl 2, CaCl 2, LiCl, etc.), ethanol (ethyl alcohol) or isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol) Place .5 g of each salt in separate watch glasses or petri dishes; add 20 mL of alcohol. Stir to distribute the salt in the alcohol. Light and observe the characteristic color of each metal’s spectrum. The students may also look at the flame through a spectroscope or diffraction grating.

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Standard 2 Matter and Energy The student will investigate the characteristics of matter and the interaction of matter and energy.
Level 1
identify a pure substance as element or compound, when given its chemical name or formula	Classification of Matter - Identify which of the substances are pure substance or a mixture Compounds - includes tables of examples [this expired page is from the Internet Archive known as the Wayback Machine] Element, Compound, and Mixture - a quiz from Quia Element, Compound, or Mixture - a ten question quiz Element Formulas - From the name of an element , determine the formula (if different from the symbol) Element or Compound - from the name of a chemical , determine whether it is an element or compound Element or Compound - a 58 slide PowerPoint show with good images, questions, and assignments Is a Diamond Element or Compound - answer to the question from Ask A Scientist Network or Molecular Compounds - from the name of a compound , determine whether it is network or molecular
distinguish among elements, compounds, solutions, colloids, and suspensions, given examples	A Quick Look at How Ionic Compounds Dissolve - animation of salt dissolving in water Solution Graphic Organizer - click on blue words to see other related concept maps Solutions, Suspensions, Colloids, and Dispersions - definition and examples [ from the About network ] What's in a Solution? - definition, examples and activities
classify changes in matter as physical or chemical, given examples or scenarios	What is the difference between chemical and physical change? Physical or Chemical Change? - Determine if each is a physical or chemical change. (a quia quiz) Physical or Chemical Change? - test your knowledge Physical vs Chemical Change - an interactive lesson Physical and Chemical changes quiz
classify properties of matter as physical or chemical when given examples or scenarios	Chemical vs Physical Changes - from Chem4Kids
distinguish between heat content and temperature when given a unit, a definition and/or an example
Level 2
distinguish among gases, liquids and solids in terms of particle spacing and relative movement, given a diagram or scenario
predict the effect of changing one gas variable (volume, temperature or pressure) on one of the others, given a scenario
demonstrate an understanding of the law of conservation of matter, given experimental data
categorize a process as endothermic or exothermic, given an example or scenario
Level 3
demonstrate an understanding of the law of conservation of energy by equating heat loss and heat gain in an interaction, given the formulas -q=q and q=mc D t, and the specific heat
Sample Task
Students are given samples of seven white powders, each of which is a common household substance, and five test reagents. They are to develop a procedure to distinguish among the powders based on their physical and chemical properties, and to identify each powder when given a chart of expected results. The seven white solids are baking powder, baking soda, sugar, flour, sugar substitute, washing soda, and calcium supplement. The test reagents are water, phenolphthalein (or pH test paper), vinegar, iodine solution and alcohol.

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Standard 3 Interactions of Matter The student will examine the interactions of matter.
Level 1
distinguish between a chemical symbol and a chemical formula, given examples
identify the parts (reactants or products) of a chemical reaction, given a balanced chemical equation
identify the types of chemical reactions (composition, decomposition, double replacement, single replacement), given a balanced equation
determine the number of atoms, formula units or molecules of a particular substance, given a balanced equation
Level 2
distinguish between ionic and covalent compounds, given binary formulas.	Types of Bonds - Explores how different types of bonds are formed due to variations in the electronegativity of the bonded atoms. The distortion of the orbitals (not calculated, just approximated), and the polarity of the bond is also displayed Writing Ionic Compound Formulas - from ChemTutor
identify the formula for a compound using a periodic table and a list of common ions, given the name of the compound	Practice naming elements on the Periodic Table - click and drag the elements to the correct locations on the table
identify the name of compounds and common acids (sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, and phosphoric acid), using a periodic table and a list of common ions.	Names of Common Acids - sixteen compound formulas given, includes a link to the acid names Naming Acids - several examples [this expired page is from the Internet Archive known as the Wayback Machine]
select a correctly balanced chemical equation, when given examples.	Balancing Chemical Equations - instruction, examples and sample problems [this expired page is from the Internet Archive known as the Wayback Machine] Chembalancer - a little online game to teach balancing equations - You type numbers in front of each molecule until there are the same number of atoms on both sides of the equation, then click the 'Balanced' button. Chemical Equation - explanation and graphic illustration Balancing Chemical Equations - a 17 slide PowerPoint show How can I tell if an equation is balanced correctly? - a list of requirements which must be met
recognize a balanced chemical equation using appropriate symbols, given a word equation.
convert between any two of the following quantities of a substance: mass, number of moles, number of particles, or molar volume (at STP)	Elements, moles and masses - This page provides exercises in relating elements, masses and moles
determine molar ratios expressed in balanced chemical equations.
analyze percent composition of the elements in a compound, given the formula.
solve mass to mass stoichiometry problems	Complex Stoichiometric Calculations - suggestions to help with SAT II Chemistry exam
Level 3
identify and solve different types of stoichiometry problems (volume (at STP) to mass, moles to mass, etc...)	Stoichiometry Tutorial - a 49 slide show explaining the process
Sample Task
(1) Using molecular model kits, have students construct shapes of various molecules. (2) Using marshmallows or gumdrops and toothpicks, have students construct elements and compounds involved in a balanced chemical equation. (3) Direct students to calculate the molar mass of a substance and measure that amount into a baggie to demonstrate mole amounts. (4) Have students make a model of the molar volume of a gas using balloons or boxes.

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Standard 4 Solutions and Acids/Bases The student will investigate the characteristics of solutions including solutions of acids and bases.
Level 1
classify substances as acid or base, given the formula of an inorganic acid or base	Chen4Kids Acids & Bases - clear explanation Take a quiz on acids and bases
Level 2
identify the solute and solvent in a solid, liquid or gaseous solution, given its composition
classify a solution as saturated, unsaturated or supersaturated, given the composition of the solution and a solubility graph	Properties of Solutions - a 43 slide show with great images Saturated Solutions and Solubility - a 30 slide PowerPoint show explaining the concept [this expired slide show is from the Internet Archive known as the Wayback Machine]
calculate the concentration of a solution in terms of molarity or mass percent, given mass of solute and mass or volume of solution
classify a substance as an acid or a base, given at least two of the following properties: color of litmus, color of phenolphthalein, taste, pH and slippery or non-slippery	Explanation of pH - a clear explanation of the numbers and a good example of the scale[this expired page is from the Internet Archive known as the Wayback Machine] History of the pH Scale ... it was the year 1909 ... The pH Factor - posted by the Miami Museum of Science The pH Scale - order items from acidic to basic pH (a Quia quiz) pH Scale: the Power of Hydrogen - the animated story of pH (page 3 has an excellent interactive pH scale)
Level 3
predict the products of a neutralization reaction involving inorganic acids and bases, given the reactants.
Sample Task
Students will classify various household substances as acid or base using various natural and synthetic indicators.	Household substances that can be used as acid/base indicators

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