Chemistry: Carbon Cycle
Overview
The course will start with introductions into chemical nomenclature, scientific units and mathematics necessary for beginning chemistry. During the second and third weeks the carbon cycle is investigated. in several dimension. Since all life is based on the element carbon it is the major chemical constituent of most 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.
Outline
Week 1
- Introduction to Physical Science
- Scientific Units, exponents and significant figures
- Properties of Matter including gases, liquids, solids and density . What are mixtures, solutions and compounds?
- What are molecules and molecular formulas?
Conservation of mass and energy - Quiz 1 - Introduction to Organic Chemistry and the Carbon Cycle and a review of the Greek elements.
Week 2
- Introduction to the carbon exchange with the earth, oceans, and fossil fuels, What are the gas laws.
- Field trip or Transformation of Carbon by combustion
- Quiz 2 and Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Work on Main Lesson Book.
Week 3
- Introduction to hydrolysis. What are esters, ethers and aldehydes and fermentation.
How is ethanol produced? - Field trip or Production of plastics and other hydrocarbons
- Introduction to biochemistry. Work on Main lesson Book
- Petroleum, its products. and the conservation of mass and energy.
- Final Exam and Main Lesson Book