Chemistry-For Students Who Are Not Fans Of Math (For Non Science Majors)

Platform: Google Classroom

Length: 14 Unit Course

Grade Level: High School

Prereq: Middle School Physical Science

Sample Slideshow: 

https://www.loom.com/share/a68c2e20eab447cf8d8788db8c953fd2?sid=0fd889fc-7278-4a9a-a38e-d9e327aca6c1 (updated video as of 2/24/25)

https://www.loom.com/share/fcc72d647d4d4ae5a0e4992b9086a5ac?sid=a4efebf2-1311-4268-9af2-8fc8e57fe20c

Early on, you discovered you liked science class better than other classes, say composition, or history, or literature. There is nothing wrong with preferences. You may even have liked some of those non-science classes, if not as much. But some classes, you hated. Maybe you could avoid gym class or drama class. But there was no hiding from math. And it keeps showing up in your scientific environment. What is a scientist to do when these undesirable subjects keep rearing their ugly heads? This science class is the perfect chem class for non-science majors. 

This chemistry course meets the state standards, but students will spend less time on balancing equations and more time on learning the uses of elements. Students will focus on the top 50 elements in the periodic table, their uses, and characteristics. Students will have various Youtube video resources to show them how to complete simple equations and learn more about each element. 

Topics and Concepts: (order can vary)

Introduction to Chemistry

This unit discusses why we study chemistry, the characteristics of matter, the scientific method,  and scientific notation.   Also discussed are scientific notation in multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction, SI units and prefixes, and conversions between SI units for temperature. Additionally, this unit addresses derived units for volume and density, data analysis, significant figures and rounding, calculations using significant figures in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and unit conversion in dimensional analysis.

Matter and The Periodic Table

This unit discusses states and properties of matter, physical versus chemical changes, elements versus compounds, and types of mixtures.  Separation methods for mixtures, the organization of the atom, what makes atoms different, radioactive decay, quantum theory as it relates to the atom, and electronic configuration are also addressed.  This unit also delves into the modern periodic table, electronic configuration and periodicity, and periodic trends.

Chemical Bonding

This unit discusses valence electrons, ionic bonds and compounds, properties and formulas of ionic compounds, and names of ions and ionic compounds. This unit also discusses covalent bonds, single and multiple covalent bonds, and the strength of covalent bonds.

Naming Compounds & Lewis Structures

This unit covers the names of binary molecular compounds, naming acids, and Lewis Structures for covalent compounds and polyatomic ions.

Molecular Shapes & Chemical Equations

This unit discusses valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR), electronegativity, and polarity. This unit also covers chemical reactions, balancing chemical equations, types of chemical reactions, and reactions in water.

The Mole

This unit discusses what a mole is, how to convert moles to particles and to mass, the mole ratios of compounds, calculations for molar mass of compounds, percent composition calculations, and empirical and molecular formula calculations.  Following this unit students are presented with the Mid-term Review and Exam.

Stoichiometry

This unit discusses chemical reactions in terms of stoichiometric calculations.  The discussion includes mole to mole, mole to mass, mass to mole, mass to mass, and percent yield.

Solids, Liquids, and Gases

This unit discusses gases in terms of behavior, units, and the kinetic-molecular theory, and in terms of Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures. Also covered are liquids, solids, and the intermolecular forces that determine the state of matter.

Gas Laws

This unit covers the laws that pertain to gases, including Boyle's, Charles's, and Gay-Lussac's laws.  Also covered are the Combined Gas Law and the Ideal Gas Law, including the Ideal Gas Law as it relates to m0lar mass and density.

Mixtures and Solutions

This unit discusses heterogeneous and homogenous mixtures, as well as concentration as percent by mass, percent by volume, molarity, dilution of molar solutions, molality, and mole fractions. Also covered are solvation in ionic and molecular compounds, solubility, and colligative properties.

Acids and Bases

This unit discusses the Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry, and Lewis Models, the strength of acids, weak acid ionization constants, the strength of bases, weak base ionization constant, hydrogen ions, ion product constant, pH and pOH, pH and H+ calculations, pOH and OH- calculations, pH and pOH calculations, and pH and pOH strong acids and bases. Further discussion covers neutralization reactions for acids and bases, as well as basic, acidic, and neutral salt solutions, and buffer solutions.

Review & Final Exam

Format: Students will find the lessons, assignments, lab steps, and discussion questions on the class wall. Students will respond to discussion questions, create notecards, add notes to spiral notebook, complete mini labs at home, and complete 5 mini assignments each week. All assignments should be in by Friday, at the end of the week in order for the teacher to provide feedback. It is recommended that students begin each week by checking in on Monday and then turning in that week's work by Friday to keep a steady pace. 

The self paced class is provided on a 14 unit format, students can complete over a semester or a full year. Families can decide the best pacing format with the supplied curriculum in Google Classroom. 

Note: This course is supported by Tandem Education. At Tandem, students complete a Tandem chemistry lab on campus with a science teacher, but have the option to take this course for the main core concepts. Tandem students are encouraged to take this self paced course during their Tandem school year to meet the science credit requirement. See the Tandem information brochure. Students at Tandem work self paced using this course over the full school year.