Its tantalizing appearance notwithstanding, today’s chemistry lab in Katie Hannon’s class was no child’s play.
Students were methodically measuring and recording the data needed to calculate the average atomic mass of a Halloween-inspired, fictitious element named candium, and each of its three isotopes: M&Mium, Skittleitium, and Reeces Piecium.
No sampling was allowed but for strict experimental purposes, until Mrs. Hannon released the atoms at the end of the lab.
About the course
Regents Chemistry is offered to students in grades 10 through 12 and provides an introduction to the theories and principles of chemistry. Topics covered include atomic structure, the periodic table, kinetics and equilibrium, acids and bases, redox and electrochemistry and organic chemistry. This course requires a serious commitment and much work. The material is approached from a theoretical perspective rather than the study of individual elements. A minimum of 1200 minutes of lab are required for admission to the Regents examination.