Overview of the Chemistry of Functional Groups

Overview of the Chemistry of Functional GroupsFunctional groups in chemistry are the smallest of chemical substances, yet are one of the most important and powerful tools in the chemistry toolbox. They have many roles to play in the molecular mechanics of compounds and in understanding the chemical structure of many chemicals. Functional groups are also used in chemical bonding, to determine the properties of certain molecules.The basics of the chemistry involve a fundamental physical idea: each substance consists of three distinct types of atoms. In our everyday world, molecules consist of atoms arranged in specific patterns which are called bonds. This is not an attempt to explain the fundamental science behind atoms, rather it is an attempt to give a simple description of their appearance in the world of molecules.The atom is a normal length of chain of atoms held together by the force of gravity, with some light electrons on either side of the atom. Each atom in a molecule is a s ingle 'head' which can see the other atoms and the molecule's surroundings by way of a ray called the electromagnetic spectrum.Due to its 'cosmic' nature, the electron has no choice but to orbit around the nucleus of an atom and follow the strong magnetic field of the nucleus, resulting in a significant property called the orbital energy of the electron. The orbital energy is the quantity responsible for the ionic and non-ionic electrons' attraction to each other.In short, the orbitals are the dimensions of the atom, measured in the number of orbital pairs, or 'orbital pairs' (such as a zero and a one), between the orbitals. These orbitals occur in every kind of molecule, in order of increasing size, from tiny hydrogen atoms to large sulfur molecules.So, why are the orbital pairs the way they are? The answer is that the atoms are held together by the weak force of gravitation, which also holds the molecules together.This is just the first fundamental element of the chemistry of atom s. Functional groups have a number of other uses, such as describing the shapes of certain atoms, determining the type of atoms that may be found in a given molecule, and even determining the behaviour of atoms in aqueous solutions.

Ask an Admissions Expert Audrey Kahane

Ask an Admissions Expert Audrey Kahane Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Audrey Kahane earned her undergraduate degree in Sociology and her Masters degree in Counseling, both from the University of Pennsylvania. Previously, Audrey served as a University of California, Los Angelesinstructor for its College Counseling Certificate Program. She has been writing a college-themed column in a Ventura County community newspaper for more than a decade. VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? Audrey: I have my students start their applications during the summer before senior year. The Common Applicationopens on August 1, but the essay prompts are already available. Its much less stressful to get your applications done during the summer, without the pressure of daily homework and tests. Also, nobody should expect to submit a first draft of the essay. By starting in the summer, students have enough time to write multiple essay drafts, resulting in the strongest possible application. VT: What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? Audrey: Think of a story from your life that reveals something about you that admissions officers wont learn from the rest of the application. Students often think they need to write about a major event or big idea, but the most compelling essays are often about a moment or a seemingly-mundane experience that caused a shift in how the student sees herself or the world. Make sure that the story includes some reflection. Essays are not just about what happened, but why this experience matters. Spend some time brainstorming until you find an idea that excites you. You may need to try out several ideas until you find the right one, and thats fine, because once you have the right idea, the writing will flow. If its exciting for you to write, it will probably be exciting for admissions officers to read. VT: Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Audrey: While I never rule out a topic, it is certainly more challenging to come up with a fresh approach to the how our basketball team was struggling but came together and triumphed essay. Writing about painful experiences, like divorce or death in the family, or a struggle with an anxiety disorder, can also be difficult. While these experiences can certainly impact who you are and how you see yourself and the world, it is important to think about what admissions officers will learn about you that will make them see you as a compelling addition to their college. If you write about a difficult life experience, make sure the essay shows how you have grown from the experience and developed qualities like resilience and persistence. If you feel you need to tell the story in order to explain a drop in grades, it may be better to use the additional information section of the application to provide context for your academic performance. The main essay is where you want to show admissions officers what you will bring to the campus community. VT: What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? Audrey: Likeability is rarely talked about, but its very important in college admission, especially when colleges have lots of applications from well-qualified students. One admissions officer said that when he reads an application, he asks himself, Would I want to eat pizza at midnight in a dorm with this person? Students sometimes try so hard to impress admissions officers, but think about it when someone tells you how great she is, do you like that person? The goal in a college application is not to impress the reader or come across as perfect, but to create a bond with the reader. Its great to be confident, but its even better with a touch of humility. VT: What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Audrey: It depends on the college. At some big public universities, the process is simply a matter of meeting GPA and/or test score requirements. At many colleges, an application will be read by two readers, and one is often a territory representative who is familiar with the students high school. At some schools, applications will go on to a committee review. Many colleges use a holistic approach, where admissions officers evaluate the rigor of the curriculum and grades as well as test scores, but also consider teacher recommendations, extracurricular activities, application essays, and many other factors that cant be quantified. They evaluate a students achievements in the context of the opportunities available to that student. There are institutional needs that come into play as well. The college might want to recruit more students from a certain part of the country. If financial aid resources are limited, the school might need more full-pay students. VT: What do you think is the single most important thing a student should make sure they present in the best possible way on their application? Audrey: Colleges will get many applications with similar transcripts and test scores. You want to submit an application that only you can write. This means using a conversational approach in your essay and helping admissions officers hear your voice your attitude, your personality, your take on the world. Youll know that your voice is coming through if friends or relatives can read your essay (without your name on it) and know instantly that you are the person who wrote it. Your essay should sound exactly like you. VT: How should students go about determining the culture of a university, and whether they would be a good fit? Audrey: The first step is to think about what kind of culture would be the best fit for you. Does your vision of college include cheering for your team at football games? Or does your ideal Saturday night consist of seeing an independent film and discussing it over cappuccino? Once you know what is important to you, there are lots of resources, including guidebooks and websites with student reviews. One of my favorite suggestions is to start reading the school newspaper, which should be available online, to learn what issues are being discussed on campus, as well as whats going on lectures, concerts, and other campus events. Check the organizations listed on the student life section of the schools website to see if there are clubs that sound interesting. If you love the outdoors and find that a school has a hiking club, ski club, and bicycling club, you know there are people who share some of your interests. You can even email the contact person for the club to ask about the school. Talking with students is the best way to learn about the culture of a university. Talk to friends, neighbors, or relatives who attend the school, and if you are visiting, arrange to meet them and some of their friends. VT: Early-action, early-decision, binding/non-binding, regular decisions...With so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? Audrey: This is a complicated question, and the answer depends on the student and on the college. If a student is considering applying early decision, which is binding, she needs to be sure that she would attend if accepted, and that her family does not need to compare financial aid or scholarship offers. Early action is not binding, but many colleges see early action as evidence of a students interest, which can be helpful in admission decisions. Early applications are not always the best strategy, especially for students who need to show improvement in grades during the first semester of senior year. Some colleges defer all students who are not admitted early and reconsider their applications during regular decision. If a college does not defer many early applicants to regular decision, and there is a strong risk of rejection during the early round, it may be better to wait and submit your strongest application. VT: How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Audrey:Grades are always important. In addition to looking at grade point average, many admissions officers will look at the trend, so a low grade in 9th grade is less likely to impact admission decisions than a low grade in 11th grade. Standardized testscores are also important at the colleges that require them. Students who dont perform well on standardized tests should make sure to apply to some test-optional colleges. The good news is that there are more colleges choosing to become test-optional every year. VT: What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendation? Audrey: A required letter of recommendation should be from a junior- or senior-year teacher. If your favorite teacher, who you know will write the strongest letter, is from sophomore year, thats fine for a supplemental letter. That doesnt mean you always ask a teacher from the class where you got the highest grade. Sure, its great to have a teacher rave about how you are the best writer shes seen in ten years of teaching AP English, or to have your History teacher write that you contributed the most insightful comments to class discussions but if a teacher writes that you fought to be admitted to AP Chemistry even though you didnt meet the schools requirements for taking the AP class, and that you came in for extra help after school every week and were committed to mastering the material even though it was a struggle, that is a letter that can really impress admissions officers. Most importantly, you want a letter from a teacher who knows you well and can provide details about your academic endeavors so the recommendation doesnt sound like the 100 other letters the admissions officer is reading that week. An English or History teacher is often a good choice since admissions officers like to know that students can write well. If youre applying to engineering programs, a math teacher recommendation would be important. Ask your teachers before the end of the school year, especially if they get lots of requests. Then you can follow up when school starts, and give them a list of your colleges with application deadlines. If you dont currently have a class with the teacher, it can be helpful to give her a brief letter, thanking her in advance for writing the recommendation and reminding her of your favorite project from the class, or a paper that she said was unusually well-written. It can also help to tell your teacher about your college plans. If youre applying to business programs, your teachers letter might include examples of the leadership youve shown in class as well as your facility with statistics. Teachers in some schools may be asked to write 40 or 50 recommendations, and they can understandably get burned out. They write recommendation letters on their own time, often giving up evenings and weekends. Be considerate and give them at least four weeks. Its also not in your interest to have a frazzled teacher scrambling to write a letter three days before the application deadline. Be sure to write thank-you notes to everyone who wrote a recommendation for you, and share your good news when you get your acceptances. Visit Audreys website for more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Your Culture, Your Traditions, Your Heritage Talking About Minority Languages in English

Your Culture, Your Traditions, Your Heritage Talking About Minority Languages in English Those of us who speak English as a dominant language can overlook the difficulties faced by people who speak minority languages. Many students of mine speak Basque as their principal language  and have often shared their experiences with me on this issue. I did my schooling through Irish and come from an Irish speaking family so this topic is of great interest to me.What is a minority language?A minority language is a language spoken by a less dominant sector of the population of a country of territory.Some minority languages are endangered and face extinction.What Makes a Minority Language? Small number of speakers.Political reasons (some languages are associated with terrorism).Prejudice (some languages are simply considered less important than dominant languages).Possible Problems Associated With Minority Languages Limited resources for education through the language,Long travel periods to attend schools where the language is taught ,Few job opportunities in work using the languag e,Hostility from those who do not speak the language.Positive Aspects Of Speaking Minority LanguagesEach has its own particular culture and literature,Gives people a strong sense of place and heritage,Where funding for educational purposes is available, the quality of the teaching can be excellent as classes are small and teachers are generally specialized and passionate about the subject.While we think about these issues, lets listen to a report on the current state of minority languages in Europe and answer the questions that follow it.Where is the first school located?What has been the first school’s recipe for success?When did the first Diwan schools in Brittany open?How many such schools are open now?What is the method used in Diwan schools?Why are there criticisms that the Diwan schools are against the French constitution?What problems have Diwan schools faced as a result?What does Remi Guillou think about the two approaches to learning Breton?When was the European Charter f or Regional or Minority languages set up and what is the aim of the Charter?What is the big problem being faced by the Charter now?Why does Alice James think that the Welsh language is alive where she lives?For what two things is the Breton town of Plomelin famous?Why, according to Guy Le Lay, are people surprised when they go Wales?According to Emyr Lewis what is the difference between the Welsh language and Breton and speakers?How many regional or minority languages exist in the European Union today?What do they need to survive?Did you find this blog helpful? Feel free to share it on Facebook and Twitter.

4 Tips for Helping Middle School Students Increase Academic Independence

4 Tips for Helping Middle School Students Increase Academic Independence If youre the parent of a new or soon-to-be middle schooler, brace yourself for some major changes. Middle school is more intense and has a heavier workload, with most middle school curriculums including five core subjects and two electives. Children are expected to do more, question more, and think more critically. Above all, middle school demands that children function as independent students. But how can you encourage your child to engage in the activities that promote greater independence? Here are four tips that will encourage independent learning and significantly benefit your child: Establish a good routine. Middle school is a time when children must take ownership of their academic responsibilities, and theres no better way to encourage this than to promote a solid nightly homework routine. At the beginning of middle school, parents should help children establish good habits: laying out a homework plan at the start of each study session, studying in a place that fosters their productivity, and embracing an organizational system that works for them. Its fine to keep tabs on this to make sure children are staying on top of everything, but its essential that parents put their children in the drivers seat. Promote goal-setting. Setting goals is a powerful exercise that encourages children to think about school more intentionally and narrow their focus on what they want to achieve (and how they will do so). Parents and their children should spend time setting goals at the start of each new semester and writing down the obstacles and to-dos to overcome them. Its also helpful to get children thinking about what each goal really means to them personally by dividing them into short term and long term. For example, your childs goals for math class might be to stay up to date on all homework assigned (short term), develop and follow a weekly study plan (short term), and improve his or her attitude about math in middle school (long term). Encourage self-monitoring. In simple terms, self-monitoring is a strategy that helps students check their own work for mistakes or areas that need improvement. As students become more independent, they should be able to uncover clues when reading for information or recognize when somethinga series of steps in a math problem, for exampledoesnt make sense or seem right. Self-monitoring strategies can strengthen this ability. When children do homework for each of their classes, parents can encourage them to ask these types of questions along the way: Are all steps in the directions clear to me? Does this make sense so far? If not, what part is confusing me? Do I recognize this problem as a similar type of problem that Ive done before? How confident do I feel about what I just read? I got that problem wrong the first timewhat can I do to get it right next time? How would I restate what I just read in another way? Step up the planner usage. Many children start using planners in elementary school, but middle school is when this becomes essential. With seven or eight classes to keep track of, children must stay organized, and its hard to do without some sort of organizational system and a planner. Explore whether your childs school has a class or program dedicated to helping students create a binder system for all classes and use planners effectively. At a minimum, make sure your child has a weekly planner and is keeping track of: Test and quiz dates Homework assignments each day (and upcoming deadlines) Other important dates for school (such as parent-teacher conferences) Middle school is a major time of transition in large part due to the elevated expectations for students. Help your child be successful by nudging him or her toward increased independenceand follow the lead of his or her teachers, who have this goal top of mind as well. Lay the foundation now and by the time your child reaches high school, he or she will be ready to face any challenge with confidence. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2017 Huntington Mark, LLC. Huntington Learning Center, the three-leaf logo, and 1 800 CAN LEARN are registered trademarks of Huntington Mark, LLC. Each franchised Huntington Learning Center is operated under a franchise agreement with Huntington Learning Centers, Inc.

NOVA

NOVA NOVA The NOVA brand delivers high-quality instruction and other language services to those who wish to improve their communicative proficiency in foreign languages. Students of a wide range of ages and ability levels, from complete beginner to very advanced, can choose to take small group or private lessons face-to-face in one of the many NOVA school branches throughout Japan, over a video-conferencing system or online from the comfort of their own homes, or a combination. In addition to conversation skills-based lessons, test preparation courses are offered to students studying for specific English tests such as TOEIC or TOEFL. Also popular is our range of NOVA Plus courses. Some of these courses focus on specific skills (such as grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, etc.,) and some are geared towards specific purposes (such as business or travel). As an additional supplement to classroom-style lessons, most branches also offer a conversation practice style of lesson known as Voice. Voice provides students with an opportunity to practice what they have learned in their lessons in a supervised, but self-directed forum to help them become more accustomed to and confident communicating naturally in a second language. For younger learners, we offer NOVA Junior, a program developed specifically for children aged 3 to 12. Through our NOVA Junior program, students learn to read, write and communicate confidently in English in a fun and supportive environment. The program is designed to complement what they learn in school and prepare them for future studies. For students who are interested in languages other than English, French, German, Chinese and Korean face-to-face lessons are also taught in selected branches across Japan. Lessons in all nine languages offered by NOVA (including English) are available through the Multimedia Center, based in Osaka. The Multimedia Center offers both small group and private lessons, both online and through a video conferencing system. The curriculum mirrors the classroom curriculum with the added appeal of extra audio and visuals. NOVA students on free-booking plans can take lessons at any NOVA branch within Japan, whenever seats are available in lessons of their ability level(s). NOVA branch schools are generally open seven days a week. On regular weekdays, schools are typically open from around midday until 9:30 p.m., and on weekends and national holidays from 10:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Larger schools may be open from 10:00 a.m. through to 10:20 p.m. every day of the week. The Multimedia Center offers lessons up to 24 hours a day (depending on the language). This provides students who want to take lessons outside of regular branch opening hours, and also those who live in remote areas, extra scheduling options. Advantages of NOVAs learning system: Group class sizes are limited to a maximum of four students for adult classes and eight for NOVA Junior classes. All instructors are native speakers of the respective language that they teach. Lessons are taught in the target language only in order to be fully immersive. There are many opportunities throughout the lesson to practice and apply the language being studied. An individual, electronic study record is maintained for each student and used to identify, monitor, and cater to individual learning needs. Study systems are flexible and convenient to use; students are able to combine different courses, languages and study locations. Instructors All NOVA instructors are native speakers of the language that they teach. Some begin their NOVA careers with previous experience as educators and some with no prior teaching experience. Regardless, every instructor completes a comprehensive training program before they start teaching for NOVA. The program equips them with everything they need to be able to teach high quality lessons and provide excellent customer service. All NOVA instructors are committed to meeting and exceeding student expectations and supporting student progress towards the achievement of their goals. View our Brochure

A Mind Needs Books Like a Sword Needs a Whetstone

A Mind Needs Books Like a Sword Needs a Whetstone A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.  That is why I read so much. Tyrion Lannister, Game of Thrones. Tyrion Lannister is a major character of the first, second and third seasons of the popular TV series Game of Thrones. Tyrian is played by actor Peter Dinklage. Tyrion Lannister is the youngest son of Lord Tywin Lannister, and uses his wit and intellect to overcome the prejudice he faces as a dwarf. From birth his own father and sister despise him, because his mother died giving birth to him. Being a dwarf causes Tyrian problems and harassment. Its size has led him to that derisively called many things, for example, Imp and Half man. Certainly his influence, power and intelligence have a positive effect on the perception of his personality. If he was born a commoner, he would be left in the forest to die. However, Tyrion was born into a powerful noble house, and so was spared. His father does not think much of Tyrian because if his physical shortcoming. Instead, Tywin more concerned with the legacy of the name Lannister.

3 Tips for Surviving Homesickness

3 Tips for Surviving Homesickness For all the college or university planning you may have done, one thing you probably were not prepared for was homesickness. Many students are initially excited at the prospect of being on their own, but all it takes is one bad day to make you long for the comforts of home. However, there are some great tips that may help make things a bit easier on you. Know you aren't alone It is important that you understand what you are going through is completely normal. The fact of the matter is that there are many, many students that are feeling homesick just as you are. Don't think because you are feeling those emotions that something is wrong with you. Homesickness is just part of an adjustment period. Become familiar with your new surroundings Take time to be comfortable with the whole new world around you. Walk around the campus and explore all you can. If you are tired of studying in the library, look for some secret study spots or be sure you know where the quiet caf shop is located. The more that you enter into the mindset that the campus belongs to you, the more comfortable you may feel. Get out Another way to help you deal with being homesick is to get up and get out of your room. Being in your room is the worst place you can be when it comes to being homesick. Head on down to the cafeteria to see what types of food it offers for breakfast, lunch and dinner. See if there is a cool coffee shop on campus. Check out the computer lab as an alternate means of writing your paper. If you have your own laptop, do your assignments while basking in the warm sunshine. One of the most important things you can do if you are experiencing homesickness is to have a positive attitude. You need to give yourself ample time to deal with missing home. This is not something you want to let completely control you by any means. Moving away from home is an adjustment, but it can get easier.