Re-read your textbook to gain understanding and clarification. If you get a problem wrong, work it again on paper until you're able to get it correct. Make sure you understand each step of the problem and why it is necessary.
Once you've been able to figure out the problem, find another problem of the same type and work it. Continue to do so until you thoroughly understand the concept being taught. When it comes to understanding and learning chemistry, there is no substitute for hands-on experience, and there is no better way to get this experience than by attending chemistry labs. Take every opportunity presented to work in the lab.
Working through chemistry problems and conducting chemistry experiments in a practical environment will strengthen your understanding and knowledge of chemistry. Flashcards are nothing new, but they work. They are particularly useful for studying chemistry.
Chemistry is full of scientific symbols, formulas and vocabulary that must be memorized and interpreted correctly. Flashcards are ideal for organizing and studying chemical symbols, formulas, and vocabulary — including the periodic table of elements.
Once you've created an organized set of flashcards you'll find memorization must be easier. Using a well-organized study group is a great way to tackle learning any challenging subject, including chemistry. Study groups allow chemistry students to share their insights with one another, exchange ideas, explain difficult concepts to one another, teach what they've learned, share notes, study for exams, and cover more material.
The following are tips for forming effective study groups. When studying chemistry, break the material down into smaller pieces that you can master. Even though this may seem at times to be slow and tedious, it will help you actually learn what you're studying.
Once you've mastered one concept, move on to the next. You'll be surprised to find that after you really understand a few of the smaller concepts well, it will become much easier to learn and master larger concepts.
Learning chemistry requires total concentration. Continually focusing on your grade takes focus away from learning chemistry.
If you will focus on learning chemistry, your grade will follow. There are no shortcuts. Common types of chemical reactions you can expect to learn about include synthesis, analysis, substitution, double displacement, acid-base, oxidation-reduction, combustion, isomerization, and hydrolysis. High school chemistry may not provide the same level of detail as that of chemistry taken at a college or university.
Use the resources provided. You will need to grasp the differences in each type of reaction covered in your class. Use resources made available to you by your teacher or professor to understand the different types of reactions covered in your class.
Understanding the changes that happen with different types of chemical reactions can be confusing. Understanding what happens during specific chemical reactions can be a challenging section of your chemistry class. Think about chemical reactions logically. Try not to make it harder than it already is by getting caught up in the terminology. The types of chemical reactions you will learn about simply involve doing something to change something.
For example, you already know what happens when you combine 2 hydrogen atoms with 1 oxygen atom, you get water. So if you put that water you just made into a pot, and put it on the stove using heat, something changes. You created a chemical reaction. If you put that water into the freezer, same thing.
You introduced a change that altered the original reactant, water in this case. Go over each type of reaction one by one until you understand it, then move on to the next type. Focus on the energy source that drives the reaction, and the primary changes that result. If you are having trouble in this area, make a list of what is confusing to you, and go over it with your professor, your study group, or someone that knows chemistry well.
Part 5. Learn how compounds are named. Chemistry has its own rules for nomenclature. The types of reactions that happen to chemical compounds, the loss or gain of electrons in their outer shell, and the stability or instability of compounds are part of the chemistry nomenclature.
Take the section on nomenclature seriously. Most beginning chemistry classes have a section devoted just to nomenclature. In some schools, failure to pass the nomenclature part of the class, means failing the class. If possible, work on nomenclature before you actually begin the class.
Many workbooks are available for purchase or through online access. Know what superscript and subscript numbers indicate.
Understanding what superscript and subscript numbers mean will be critical to passing your chemistry class.
Review the periodic table to see elements in vertical rows that share the same superscript numbers. Subscript numbers are used to identify the quantity of each identified element that is part of the chemical compound. As previously discussed, the subscript of 2 in the molecule H2O tells you that there are 2 hydrogen atoms as a part of that molecule.
Recognize how atoms react with each other. Part of the nomenclature used in chemistry involves specific rules on naming the products from specific types of reactions. This reaction involves the process of either gaining or losing electrons.
Recognize that subscripts can indicate the formula for a stable charge to a compound. Scientists use subscripts to identify the final molecular formula of a compound, which also indicates a stable compound with a neutral charge.
To make a neutral charge, the positively charged ion, called a cation, must be balanced by an equal charge from a negative ion, called an anion. The charges are identified as superscripts. To properly combine the two elements to arrive at a neutral charge, 3 magnesium atoms are used for every 2 nitrogen items.
Identify anions and cations from their position on the periodic table. Learn to recognize the more common anions and cations. To help you pass your chemistry class, be as familiar as possible with the nomenclature attached to groups of elements. This type of superscript does not change. Think of chemistry as learning a new language. Understand that the written forms of indicating charges, the number of atoms in a molecule, and the bonds formed to hold molecules together, are all part of the language of chemistry.
It would be so much easier to understand if everything was visible, right in front of you. But in addition to comprehending all the chemistry that is happening, you also have to understand the language used to record and represent everything to do with chemistry. Talk with your professor, your study group, a teaching assistant, or someone that is really good at chemistry. You can learn all this, but it may help if it can be explained in a way that makes sense to you. Part 6.
Know the sequence for basic math calculations. In chemistry, very detailed calculations are sometimes needed, but other times, just basic math skills are adequate. It is important to understand the proper sequence for completing computations in an equation. The first letter of each word indicates the order to be used.
Anything in Parentheses is done first, then Exponentiation, Multiplication or Division, the lastly Addition or Subtraction. The answer to the equation is Be comfortable rounding very large numbers.
While rounding numbers is not unique to chemistry, the answers to some of the complex math equations result in numbers that are too long to write. Pay close attention to any directions provided in rounding your answers. If the digit next in the series is a 4 or less, then round down, and if it is a 5 or greater round up. For example, consider the number 6. You are asked to round your answer to the second decimal place. The answer is 6. Understand absolute value.
In chemistry, some numbers are referred to as absolute value, and not their real mathematical value. Absolute value is the distance from the number to zero. In other words, you no longer consider positive or negatives, just the distance to zero. For example, the absolute value of , is Be familiar with the accepted units of measure. Here are a few examples. Measures of matter are expressed in moles mol.
Mass is expressed in grams g , kilograms kg , or milligrams mg. Liquid measures are expressed in liters L , or milliliters mls. Practice converting from one scale of measure to another. Part of passing your chemistry class will involve making conversions from one accepted scale to another. This may include changing from one temperature measurement to another, changing pounds to kilograms, and ounces to liters.
You may be asked to provide answers in units other than what was in the original question. For example, you may be given a temperature equation to solve in Celsius, and asked to give the final answer in Kelvin.
Kelvin is the international standard for temperature measurements often used in chemical reactions. Practice changing from degrees Celsius to degrees Kelvin or Fahrenheit. Take the time to practice. As you are exposed to various conversions in your class, take the time to learn how to convert from one to the other, and back again.
Know how to calculate concentrations. Sharpen your basic math skills in the areas of percentages, ratios, and proportions. Practice with nutrition labels on food products. To pass chemistry, you will need to be comfortable calculating ratios, proportions, percentages, and then back again. If this is difficult for you, practice using other common units of measure, like those found on food labels.
Look at the nutrition label on any food product. You will see calories per serving, per cent of RDAs, total fat, calories from fat, total carbs, and a breakdown of the different types of carbs. Practice by calculating different ratios and proportions using different categories for the bottom number. For example, calculate the amount of monounsaturated fat per the total amount of fat. Change this to a percent. Most students are intimated by chemistry and many say that they hate chemistry.
If you go into a course thinking you will hate it, odds are that you will. It is easy to say that you hate chemistry, but if you have this attitude you will find it harder to study and attend class. Who wants to spend time with something they hate? Decide that you will be positive about chemistry. There is something fun and interesting in any subject if you look hard enough. Many students regard chemistry as an obstacle to obtaining their degree.
In actuality it is a necessary component for your education. Remember that the purpose of university is to learn, not simply get a degree. While much of the information you learn in an introductory chemistry course may not be used in future courses, the skills you will learn problem solving, manipulating equations, etc. Students should also approach university as a job. If you submit sub par work, complain when work is assigned, are late and only show up every other week eventually you would be fired by your employer.
Your professor can not fire you but they can give you a failing grade. One of the goals of university is to prepare professionals for the work force and the first step in achieving this goal is to treat students as professionals. Time and Work:. The number one reason students fail introductory chemistry is that they failed to recognize that chemistry is a subject that requires a lot of time and work from the START. Create a personalised ads profile.
Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Share Flipboard Email. Table of Contents Expand. Be Prepared for Class. Get Your Head on Straight. Work the Problem Sets. Read the Textbook. Be Smart on Tests. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph. Chemistry Expert. Helmenstine holds a Ph.
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