YOUTH INITIATIVE HIGH SCHOOL
Waldorf Initiative in Viroqua, Wisconsin, USA
COURSES AND CLASSES
Main Lesson Block
9th Grade Chemistry
Oct 23—Nov 10, 2006
Carbon Cycle
Instructor: Howard Duckman
The course will start with a review of the organic chemistry taught in the previous main lesson block and continue into large hydrocarbon molecules.. It will subsequently introduce chemical nomenclature, scientific units and mathematics necessary for beginning chemistry. During the second and third weeks the carbon cycle is investigated. in several dimensions. Since all life is based on the element carbon it is the major chemical constituent of organic matter. From fossil fuels and plastics to proteins and DNA carbon is the most important element to our lives. Carbon is stored in sinks such as organisms, carbon dioxide gas, in the soils, limestone and in the oceans. Timescales of the carbon cycle process range from minutes to centuries for carbon exchange between the atmosphere, land and oceans. These exchanges are studied and the individual processes regulating atmospheric CO2 and their associated timescales. Also, the magnitude of carbon cycle additions and depletions are studied.
Week 1
10/23/06: Course and main lesson book requirements. Chemistry of the organic life. Review of the previous Main Lesson Block.
10/24/06: What are large hydrocarbon molecules and the introduction to the Carbon Cycle. Also, a review of the Greek elements.
10/25/06: Other historical texts and the transformation of Carbon as an exchange between the air, plants, and the respiration cycle described by mathematical models.
10/26/06: Lab safety demonstrated and Experiment No.1
10/27/06: Quiz 1.
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Week 2
10/30/06: Transformation of Carbon by combustion and fermentation.
10/31/06: Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide
11/1/06: Physical and chemical changes, scientific units and conversion factors.
11/2/06: Lab safety. Experiment No. 2
11/3/06: Quiz No. 2
Week 3
11/6/06: Petroleum, its products and other industrial processes. The conservation of mass and energy.
11/7/06: Discussion of CO2, global warming and energy production.
11/8/06 : Lab safety. Experiment No. 3
11/9/06: Conservation of mass and energy
11/10/06: Final Exam. Main lesson Book is Due