Contents:
• General Information
• Consider This 3.17 through 3.20 - CO₂ Emissions: Uncertainty and Implications for Policy
• Skeptical Chemist 3.23 - Critically evaluating the numbers
• Journal Entry - Top Emitters  
• Documentation

• General Information: There are not as many assignments associated with this chapter as there were for the first two; however, you will find it worth your while to pay close attention to the schedule.  From the "pure chemistry" perspective, Chapter 3 introduces us to the shape and structure of molecules and some quantitative concepts: molecular mass, Avogadro's number and  the mole.   The context for this chapter is Climate Change or Global Warming.  You can find a lot of information about greenhouse gases, climate change, the Kyoto Conference and other related issues on the WWW.  This page was prepared to serve as a launch point as you prepare for the group discussion questions and the group assignment.  You will find helpful material on the Chemistry in Context Site.  Other useful sites are included as direct links below.  Note that there are due dates for the assignments.  Good luck! If you have questions ....

• Journal Entry -- CO₂ Emissions: Uncertainty and Implications for Policy - In chapter 2, we saw how ozone in the atmosphere recycles through a dynamic, steady state system illustrated by the Chapman cycle. The carbon cycle (section 3.5, pp 118 - 121) is also a dynamic, steady state system through which carbon is recycled.  How do we as human beings perturb the cycle by our activity? How do our activities impact the "Global Carbon Budget"?  How much certainty is there in the numbers?  To what extent should CO₂ emissions impact environmental policy?  As a journal entry for the week of January 31, 2011, do the activities described in
  • Consider This 3.15 Understanding the Carbon Cycle
  • Consider This 3.16 Earth's Small Atmospheric Resources 
  • Your Turn 3.17 Comparing Sector Emissions
   
• Skeptical Chemist 3.23 - Critically Evaluating the Numbers - In this chapter we are learning how to "manipulate moles with math".  If we know how to apply these ideas, we have the ability to critically evaluate media reports about releases of pollutants, greenhouse gases, CFCs and other substances.  On Monday, February 7, we will look closely at the statements about the total quantity of carbon released as carbon dioxide (How much carbon is there in 3.1 GT of CO₂?) and decide if this is a reasonable value.  Here is how you can prepare:
  • Read sections 3.6 - 3.7 (pp 121 - 126) for Monday, February 7, 2011.
  • Pay very close attention to the examples presented in class on Monday, February 7, 2011.
  • Work Your Turn 3.18, 3.20 and 3.23 on pp 122 - 126 in the text -- try to work them before class on the 7th.
  • Do problems 22 - 26, 40, 41 and 45 at the end of the chapter for homework due Wednesday, February 9, 2011. This is an individual assignment and is worth 20 points.
  • Also be prepared to contribute to a class discussion of Skeptical Chemist 3.24 for Wednesday, February 9, 2011.

• Journal Entry - The Top Emitters  --  Use Figure 3.23 (p.136) and the link to the Fossil-Fuel CO₂ Emissions at the Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center CDIAC Web site to answer these questions.
  1. The United States is the leader in total CO₂ emissions and per capita emissions in 2005. Which countries rank second and third in each category?
  2. Russia is the leader in total CO₂ emissions based on economic output. Which countries rank second and third in that category?
  3. Compare the lists from parts a and b. Offer reasons for the observed differences.
  4. Using the data on the Fossil-Fuel CO₂ Emissions page, how do these data compare with 2007?
  5. From the CDIAC Web site, pick any country not shown in Figure 3.23. Where is that country located? How do the total emissions compare to those of the U.S.? How have this country's CO₂ emissions changed over time?
  Record the information you collect and your impressions in your journal for the week of February 14. 

Journals will be collected starting Friday, February 18, 2011.

Other Useful Links

• How to reach Dr. Bell-Loncella
• Links to interesting chemistry sites
• Chem 0080 Home Page
  • BlackBoard site for Chemistry 0080
  • Chem 0080 Course Outline
  • Chem 0080 Syllabus
  • The Chemistry in Context web page
• Starting point for Prep Chem
• Center Point for General Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry (Chem 1131) Home Page
• The Academic Success Center