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Math in Chemistry: Together, we’ll master the essential mathematical skills used throughout chemistry while learning how to apply significant figures correctly in calculations.  Over the week, we plan to cover addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and mixed operations, emphasizing the rules for determining the correct number of significant figures in every answer.

Please note – Every week after Week 1 requires purchase of Bootcamp to access.

Matter and Energy: Explore the building blocks of chemistry by learning about matter, its properties, and the different ways it can change. This lesson also introduces energy and how it is transferred, absorbed, and released during physical and chemical processes. In addition, we’ll be reviewing material related to Dimensional Analysis, PEMDAS, and Density.

Isotopes of Atoms & Ions: This week we’ll introduce isotopes, explaining how atoms of the same element can have different numbers of neutrons. Students will learn how to identify isotopes, calculate the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an atom, and understand how isotopes are represented using atomic notation. We’ll also cover heat conversion, temperature, and the difference between them.

Nomenclature: Together, we’ll learn the fundamentals of chemical nomenclature, including how to name and write formulas for ionic compounds, covalent compounds, acids, and hydrates. Students will develop the skills needed to identify chemical compounds, apply naming rules, and confidently interpret chemical formulas. Before class ends, we ensure that students will build a strong foundation in chemical naming conventions essential for success in chemistry.

The Mole: Learn how the mole is used to measure and count extremely small particles such as atoms, molecules, and ions. For this lesson, Professor Waugh introduces Avogadro’s number and shows how to convert between moles, mass, and the number of particles. Students will practice using the mole concept to solve chemistry problems and better understand the quantities involved in chemical reactions.

Chemical Reactions: This week we’ll learn how chemical reactions transform substances into new products through the breaking and forming of chemical bonds. This lesson introduces the basics of chemical equations, reactants, and products, and explains how to recognize different types of chemical reactions. Students will practice writing and balancing chemical equations while exploring how the Law of Conservation of Mass applies to chemical changes.

Stoichiometry (Reactants): For class, we’ll learn how to use balanced chemical equations to calculate the amounts of reactants needed and products formed during chemical reactions. This lesson introduces mole ratios and teaches students how to convert between moles, mass, and other quantities to solve stoichiometry problems. Students will practice applying these calculations to understand the quantitative relationships involved in chemical reactions.

Limiting Reactants & Light: This lesson will teach you all about how limiting reactants determine the maximum amount of product that can form during a chemical reaction and how to identify the reactant that is used up first. Explore oxidation as a chemical process involving the loss of electrons and its role in oxidation-reduction reactions. This lesson also introduces the properties of light, including wavelength, frequency, and energy, and examines how light interacts with atoms and molecules.

Electron Configuration & Lewis Structures: Explore how electrons are arranged within an atom and how their arrangement determines an element’s chemical properties. This lesson introduces electron configurations, orbital filling, and valence electrons, along with the rules used to determine electron placement. Students will also learn how to draw Lewis Dot Structures to represent valence electrons and better understand how atoms interact, bond, and form molecules.

Molecular Polarity: Professor Waugh introduces molecular polarity and explains how differences in electronegativity and molecular geometry influence the distribution of electrical charge within a molecule. Students will learn to identify polar and nonpolar molecules and understand how molecular structure affects a substance’s chemical and physical properties.