Dropped Question from Quizs
Quiz 1
I'm killing the "tiny bubbles" question. I thought we had specifically discussed this
in class, but from the stats that was clearly not the case.
Quiz 2
The PCl3 PCl5 question was dropped due to confusion in reading the question.
Quiz 3
The titration curve problem was killed as it was difficult to read the numbers off the
plot accurately enough to answer.
Quiz 4
Dropping the systematic treatment of equilibria as everyone forgot to include HF with F-.
Really there is nothing wrong with this problem, but as nearly everyone missed it I'm sure
you'll know it for the final.
Quiz 5
I'm dropping the integrated rate law problem as many of you tried to estimate the answer
using the half-life and the formula that I gave for a half-life omitted the "small a" that
accounts for the stoichiometry. So you ended up off by a factor of two.
Quiz 6
I only put 6 question on this by accident. So we'll "drop" the two I forgot to put on.
Dropped Questions from Exam2 and Makeup2
Frankly I would not have dropped any from the questions from these exams except the ones that were pointed
out on the formula sheets. However, I have had many comments about either topics that we
did not cover in class before the exam. Or claims that I said something in a review session
that led you down the wrong path.
Exam 2
The question on the HPO4- concentration that we dropped before we started.
The question about the Cd(OH)2 because "technically" it is about a battery which I claimed
would not be on the exam. Remove the word batter from the problem and everyone should have
gotten it correct.
Last but not least the sulfuric acid problem. I'm not sure how nearly everyone got this one
wrong, but apparently I did a similar example and merely approximated rather than solving the
quadratic. Given less than 30% of you got this one correct, we'll assumed I did something
hand wavvy in class and you all followed my lead. We'll ditch it. Everyone should
know how to solve such a problem in the future. Even without the hint "use the quadratic".
Makeup 2
The question on H3PO4 question that we said would be dropped.
The question looking for the pH at the endpoint of an acetic acid titration. This problem did
not provide you with a hint "remember dilution". I will provide you will a hint that you will
now remember for all time "When titrating, you are diluting the solutions. Therefore when working
a titration problem, remember the dilution factor"
The "how many equations do you need" problem in which you needed to realize the F- would form HF
as well. Again, the best excuse that this is a bad problem is that we don't consider the
reformation of HCl and HBr just because they are strong acids. If we are going to do things
complete correctly, we should include those as well even though their equilibrium constants
are very large they are not in fact infinity. There is some validity to this arguement, but
it assumes that a systematic approach is an "exact" approach. It also assumed that the question
could not be solved with the ideas we taught in class. None the less, I'm dropping this
problem.
Dropped Questions Exam 1 and Makeup
The following problems will be dropped.
The question looking at the change in Gibb's energy
between graphite and diamond. Since the we have been treating solids and liquids as having activities
equal to one, for this problem if the system is at equilibrium then K = 1 and standard Gibb's energy
(along with the differenc in Gibb's Energy) will be equal to one.
The question looking at lattice energy. This was a topic from last semester, but I did not review
it in our lectures.
The Le Chatlier's problem with multiple equilibra. This was a question of the type that we had
not encountered as we did not discuss multiplle equilibria until further in acid/base equilibria.
On the Makeup exam.
For the vapor pressure calculation onf MgF2 we had not yet discussed solubility calcuations and
the concept of saturated solutions.
The problem finding Kp for the acetylene reaction did not have a temperature given which was
needed for the answer.
The problem with identifying stong acid, weak acid, stong base, salt. We had not discussed the fact
the MgO is strong base.
How do I find my grade?
When I drop the problem on Quest, it will not give you credit for it. As such you will need to add the points back in. For example. If you have 200/270 = 74.1 your actual score is a 230/300 = 76.7. It is that easy. There are 300 points total. Everyone will add 30 to their raw score and divide by 300. For a quiz out of 7 questions. Add one and divide by 8.
What about Exam 2
I'm working on it. And yes I realize that there is one question we are going to drop for sure that has not been dropped.
Overall
SCORING for the Course
|
GRADING
Course grades will be based on total points:
|
EXAM
SCHEDULE
Final Exam places: TBA |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alternate Grading Schemes
If the traditional grading scheme is not for you, I will offer two alternatives
Option 1
A grading scheme based on the question, "if I ace the cumulative final can I get an
A for the course?" In determining your course grade I will automatically determine whether
your score on the final exam is higher than your cumulative average and if it is, I will
substitute the exam score. If you score 90% or above on the final, you get an A for the
course even if your cumulative course average is below 90%. If you score 80% or above on the
final, you get a B for the course even if your cumulative course average is below 80%, etc.
This is an excellent option for the student who bombs more than one test, or, believes that
he or she has really started to learn the material over the course of the semester but has
scores that make an A unattainable. To be eligible for this option, you have to participate
in the course by taking at least two of the three exams and at least three of the six quizzes.
So don't just wander into the final after a semester in Europe and expect this opportunity.
Option 2
So you ace the tests and quizzes and really wish you could be home a little earlier for
the summer. Is it possible? Yes. Very simply, if you score 90% (630 out of 700 possible
points) on the three exams and four of six quizzes, you will not have to take the final.
Note: this only applies if you have an "A". You cannot simply opt to "take your C" and be
done.
Homework
We will not have formal homework. Practice problems will be available on the webpage.
Quizzes
Quizzes emphasizing problem solving will be given six times during the semester. The
quizzes will occur every two weeks during the last 20 minutes of class. Quizzes will consist
of 8 questions worth five points each. The questions will be drawn from the same data bank
as the exams and will give you a flavor for what the exams will look like. The quizzes will
also offer you the opportunity to keep up with the material so you won't have to cram before
exams or the cumulative final. Only your four best of six quizzes will count.
Quizzes (iClicker)
Quizzes will be given in class via the iClicker. You will be able to replace one of your
in-class quiz scores with your iClicker grade. The iClicker grade will be based upon a
available point total. Typically 100% is given if you have at least 80% of the total points
Points available each day are base primarily on participation not correct answers.
Exams
Three examinations will be given during the semester on CH302 material. These will be given
about once a month during the scheduled class time. Each examination will consist of 30 six-point
multiple choice questions that will be machine graded. These exams will look remarkably like your
quizzes and worksheets in content.
The three exams will be given in the evenings on
the scheduled days in the rooms posted. You must go to the correct room. No exams scores will
be dropped. Be sure and bring your calculator to the exam. I cannot
provide calculators. You CANNOT use a PDA, or cell phone as your calculator
(or any other gadget that is NOT a calculator). An alternate exam time will be available
only if you have a University related conflict (lab class, etc...) The times of the exams
were posted in the course schedule prior to registration.
Each student will receive a unique exam copy with a specific version number
on it. There is a different exam version for every student in the class, no
two students can have the same version numbers. It is therefore very important
that you keep your copy of each of your exams. You need this copy in order for
us to verify you as the owner of that copy and version number. We only do this
verification when we have a case of two or more students with identical version
numbers on their exams. Each student must verify their copy in order to receive
a grade, otherwise their score will be changed to a zero for that exam AND they
will be reported to the dean as suspect of cheating.
Final
A Final exam cannot be made-up in any way. Show up at the right place and the right time
or get a zero on the exam.
The final exam WILL be comprehensive.
This means that all the material covered during the course
will be on the exam. The final exam will be
counted as 30% of your overall grade. If you keep up with the material for the
semester, the final will not be any more difficult than the three exams. It will
be extremely difficult if you try to cram for it one day ahead. Keep up and
make the grade. I will not allow you to take the final early either. The time for the final
is published when the course schedule is made but it is subject to change.
Missed Quiz or Exam
You can make up a missed quiz or exam for one of the following reasons.
1. You are away from UT as part of a University-sponsored activity. For such instantces
you will provide written docudmentation on UT Letterhead expalining the reason for your absence.
2. The exam is in conflict with a religious holiday. For this you will provide written
notice of the conflict at least 14 days in advance.
3. You suffer chornic, documented illness that requires you to
miss multiple quizzes and exam. In this case you should contact me as soon as you are able.
What if I miss one quiz or exam? Not to worry. It will be taken care of. You get to drop
your lowest two quiz scores. If you miss an exam you final will be scaled to 180 points and
substitute for your missed exam. This will be calculated for you. You don't need to do
anything.