Chemistry BC2001x: Weekly Problem Sets

Each week there are two groups of problems: a practice problem set and a hand-in problem set. 

You are expected to do the practice problems on your own, checking your own work.  These will be posted on Courseworks.  The first set is also posted below, since access to Courseworks is sometimes problematical early in the term.  It is perfectly fine to work together on these problems, indeed I encourage you to do so.  But make sure that each person in a study group understands fully how to do each problem.  I strongly urge you to do each problem completely before looking at any answers!

Detailed answers to the practice problems are also on Courseworks. Since there are often many correct ways to get to an answer, check your results, and check that you understand the logic.  For clarity, I often break the solution into steps: if you combined these, that is fine.  I also often add comments in italics.  I suggest you read these carefully.

There are four slightly different versions of each hand-in problem, covering the same concepts. These problems are distributed in class only. (If you miss class, you must come to my office to get your copy; photocopies will not be accepted.  This is to ensure that the numbers for each version are balanced.) Do these problems after you have mastered the practice problems.  Since these are graded, they must represent your own work: you may not work together on them.  It is a Barnard Honor Code violation even to discuss hand-in problems with anyone but me.

These problems are designed to test your understanding.  They are seldom solved simply by plugging data into some equation. If you need help, come to office hours and I will give you some hints as how to get started.

Please first work out the solution to the hand-in problems on scratch paper.  Then copy your answer neatly onto the question sheet, showing all work.  Use only the space provided: do not add extra pages, since this complicates grading.