I am rather disappointed with my results in the recent science test. Even though I got an high A1, which would definitely pull my insanely high MSG down, I still feel that I could have dome better in various aspects of the paper, particularly in the open ended section.
The first mistake I made was in the drawing of the full electronic configuration of a magnesium ion. I did not write the charge(2+) after drawing the diagram. Obviously, if I had revised properly, I would not have made such a mistake.
The second mistake was in answering the question on isotopes. I had overlooked this aspect completely in my revision and therefore was caught off guard when asked to answer this question. The answer that came of was very weak.
The third mistake was in explaining why elements C and E would form a ionic bond when together. Again, I did not revise completely for this topic and answered by saying that the electronegativity difference between the two elements was too high, causing it to be an ionic bond.
If I had revised more, especially on the ionic bonding part, and not overlook any topics that are tested on, I would obviously have gotten higher marks.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Lab lesson
A few weeks ago, we had a memorable lab lesson.
On one of the experiments which required the use of a bunsen burner, my friend dumped large amounts of copper into the flame. The flame then turned into a shocking green colour, probably similar to what would happen in a strike back. We all could not help but laugh, and from then on we tried pouring different types of metal, like iron and zinc, into the fire, and examined the results. Some of us even wanted to try the magnesium ribbon, but we all know that magnesium combusted in the presence of fire would form magnesium oxide, and a bright spark would also be produced.
It was later revealed that my friend only did that because he read a book on fireworks which said that dumping copper into fire would produce a green flame. In other words, only with prior knowledge did he attempt such an act. However, even if the wasn't a fire in the laboratory, there were various other implications. The technician had to attempt to pour out copper trapped in the bunsen burner, and even after a week the copper was not completely removed, and there were sometimes where parts of the fire turned green. Having witness how troublesome and potentially dangerous pouring substances to the bunsen burner can be, I would not attempt such an act.
On one of the experiments which required the use of a bunsen burner, my friend dumped large amounts of copper into the flame. The flame then turned into a shocking green colour, probably similar to what would happen in a strike back. We all could not help but laugh, and from then on we tried pouring different types of metal, like iron and zinc, into the fire, and examined the results. Some of us even wanted to try the magnesium ribbon, but we all know that magnesium combusted in the presence of fire would form magnesium oxide, and a bright spark would also be produced.
It was later revealed that my friend only did that because he read a book on fireworks which said that dumping copper into fire would produce a green flame. In other words, only with prior knowledge did he attempt such an act. However, even if the wasn't a fire in the laboratory, there were various other implications. The technician had to attempt to pour out copper trapped in the bunsen burner, and even after a week the copper was not completely removed, and there were sometimes where parts of the fire turned green. Having witness how troublesome and potentially dangerous pouring substances to the bunsen burner can be, I would not attempt such an act.
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