Redox Lab Report and Chapter 4 Test Results / News

I will first address the results of the Chapter 4 Test. The average for the test was a 60%. The median for the test was also 60%. This is not out of the historical norm for this test. You may be asking yourself, "Why give the test if you have such poor averages?" I will reply that I want to give a very challenging test for all participants. I do not want a bunch of perfect scores. If I did have that, the test is not very challenging. On this exam, there was a high score of 17 out of 20 amongst the 29 students who took the exam. Now, to make things fair for all party's involved, I am going to curve this exam. In Infinite Campus, I am going to make this exam worth 40 points. (There were 20 questions, so I am going to double the points.) I am going to add 4 points to your total points earned out of 40. This is a 10% curve, which will bring the average up to 70%, which is a low "C", which is average. I know many of you would disagree with me and call a "C" failing, but that is in your own little world, not mine and the rest of human civilization. :)

But wait just one minute kids! I have an even better deal for you! If you choose, you can earn back one half (1/2) of your points. I am going to have another remedial session for those students who did not fair very well. If you attend the 45 minute remedial session next Friday morning (Oct. 1st) from 6:30 a.m. to 7:15 a.m., I will give you back 1/2 of your points that you missed. For many of you, this will exceed the 4 points that the curve offers. So, if you miss any more than 8 points, you will earn more than just taking the curve. For clarification, a 4 point curve will be given to everyone. Anyone wanting to attend the remedial session can earn more. I will not be including these test scores in the first six week grades because you can earn different point values if you choose.

Just to let you know, this will not be the last time a very low test average will be attained by the class. To make it challenging for all participants in the class, the tests need to be difficult. For context, I want to share with you a little story from my wife, the Lovely Mrs. Brueckner. When I told her of the complaining that many AP Chemistry students were taking part in after a particularly hard exam, she told me to tell them (the students) to "suck it up and live with it." The Lovely Mrs. Brueckner attended the University of California at Davis, which is a very renowned science school because of the Veterinary and Medical schools that are part of the university. Mrs. Brueckner was a cellular physiology major (Mrs. Brueckner is much smarter than Mr. Brueckner), which is major league science if you did not know. Anyway, Mrs. Brueckner shared that while at Cal Davis and taking organic chemistry, one test average in the class was in the mid-30% range. She attained a 65%. Her 65% became an "A". So the moral of the story is that it is not your actual score that is important, but rather, what was your score relative to everyone else. I had similiar experiences in college. You will be getting your exams back on Monday, September 27th.

On Monday, September 27th, your Oxidation / Reduction Titration Lab write-up will be due. There will be a different take on how I want the SEE's and Conclusion addressed in the lab report. Most people do fine in terms of attaining the 3% hydrogen peroxide value. Therefore, there is no reason to make-up SEE's, unless one trial really warrants having a SEE written about it due to a procedural gaffe during the lab. Otherwise, there was one systematic SEE that everyone has. It is #2 of the SEE's section. Make sure that you address how the addition of the inhibator in the hydrogen peroxide solution affects your calculated value for the percent hydrogen peroxide in the solution. Does it cause it to be higher than what it actually is? Does it cause it to be lower than what it actually is? Please give a well thought out reason why.

Your conclusion just needs to address all six questions listed in that section of the lab. Please write in complete sentences.

You will also getting back your quizzes based upon the Redox Titration lab on Monday. Also, on Monday we will be doing a pre-lab activity for a lab that will be completed on Tuesday, September 28th. Finally, another little remidner, the WebAssign work for Chapter 4 is also due Monday, September 27th, 2010. Have a good weekend.