Getting The Lowdown On How To Study General Chemistry
Studying general chemistry may not be too easy if you are a high school student or in college and have never taken a chemistry course. Passing general chemistry requires learning about matter you cannot see – protons, molecules, atoms, and chemical bonds. Chemistry students study abstract terms and concepts which define a microscopic world
In order to study abstract concepts, it is important to develop your abstract thinking skills. Air is not just something we breathe, as it is composed of molecules that have weight. Water is not simply a liquid you can pour in a glass. It contains oxygen and hydrogen atoms that interact with each other.
Once you develop abstract thinking skills, the task begins to look easier. However, keep in mind that a periodic table can be demanding. You have to process large amounts of information and remember the important facts. The content you should get familiar with may be divided into facts, rules, concepts, and problems. Facts represent verified information about processes and events, which are proven to be an objective reality. The term concept denotes units of knowledge and cognitive units of meaning. Concepts connect different facts together. Chemical rules are used as generalizations about the working of things. Rules are principles that govern certain processes or spheres. For example, a chemical rule can be used to explain how elements bond together. Finally, you can use a chemical problem to describe situations and tasks for which more information is needed as to find a solution. Problems contain the other three elements – rules, facts, and concepts.
Since you will have to learn a number of facts and concepts, it may be a good idea to use flashcards. You will master some of the concepts when you prepare the flashcards. Then, you will memorize the rest with practice. With flashcards, you can easily switch topics, which is not possible with an ordinary notebook. Buy a pack of index cards and try that approach.
You can use a highlighter but remember that most of the important concepts and facts are already in bold typeface. Your chemistry teacher will probably mention some likely test concepts, answers, and questions. You may want to highlight them.
What to focus on? When you prepare for the test, distinguish between liquids, gases, and solids. Know how to relate the names of elements to corresponding symbols. List properties as chemical properties, physical properties, and intensive and extensive properties. Describe the various techniques used to separate mixtures. Know how to distinguish between metalloids, metals, and nonmetals. Be familiar with the law of conservation of mass and the law of definite proportions. Learn about atomic weight and how isotopic masses and abundances are measured. This is not all!
You need to use good techniques for mastering chemical content. For example, you use concepts but memorize facts. You have to be able to develop and use rules but solve problems. This is the way to excelling in your general chemistry class.
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Author: John Stevenson
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