Chemistry 3/4 Holiday Homework

[doher109]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently a year 11 student (going into year 12) and i was wondering if any past chemistry students could recommend what to look at over the holidays. My teacher hasn't specified anything, but i have set up a plan that will see me complete Area of Study 1 of Unit 3 by the start of Term 1.

Thanks.

[Yacoubb]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently a year 11 student (going into year 12) and i was wondering if any past chemistry students could recommend what to look at over the holidays. My teacher hasn't specified anything, but i have set up a plan that will see me complete Area of Study 1 of Unit 3 by the start of Term 1.

Thanks.

I'm in your position, and I thought I'd tell you what I'm doing, just for some insight

Area of Study one really looks at chemical analysis; quantitative and qualitative analysis. Chemical analysis can be broken up into wet methods (i.e. gravimetric analysis and volumetric analysis) and dry methods (spectroscopy and chromatography). This area of study really focusses upon this chemical analysis, so it would be best to go over these various chemical analytical techniques, as an overview of what will be explored in the area of study. Personally I'm planning to finish unit 3 over the summer, but focus and thoroughly learn the first area of study of unit 3 and all it encompasses.

Hope this helped

[doher109]

Sounds good! I am going to probably end up doing all of Unit 3, but i'll put a real focus onto understanding AoS 1 first. Keep me posted on how you are going!

[Yacoubb]

Sounds good! I am going to probably end up doing all of Unit 3, but i'll put a real focus onto understanding AoS 1 first. Keep me posted on how you are going!

Great! I'll be sure to keep you posted!

[lzxnl]

What I did was to read through the entire course. Yep, you heard me right. I had an idea of what the entire course was about, so I wasn't surprised by any parts of the course. Then, I looked through unit 3 in a bit more detail and made sure that I understood the underlying concepts behind everything. That meant that when the teacher explained it in class, it clicked in my mind.

[mackintosh]

What I did was to read through the entire course. Yep, you heard me right. I had an idea of what the entire course was about, so I wasn't surprised by any parts of the course. Then, I looked through unit 3 in a bit more detail and made sure that I understood the underlying concepts behind everything. That meant that when the teacher explained it in class, it clicked in my mind.

This is very sound advice.  I would suggest knowing a basic outline of the course, then doing U3 in detail by summarizing key aspects, referring to both textbooks and other available notes to compile your personalized compilation of what you need to know for each AOS. For example, learning each of the chemical analysis techniques, spectroscopy etc can take a while to get your head around and the earlier you see this, the better. Then, resuming classes in term 1 it is great to be beginning exam style questions, while others haven't even looked at the textbook.

[Yacoubb]

What I did was to read through the entire course. Yep, you heard me right. I had an idea of what the entire course was about, so I wasn't surprised by any parts of the course. Then, I looked through unit 3 in a bit more detail and made sure that I understood the underlying concepts behind everything. That meant that when the teacher explained it in class, it clicked in my mind.

I'll definitely be reading through the key points on the study design for unit 4 in addition to unit 3. I feel as though reading through unit 4 now, would not really allow the unit 4 material to stick. So, I was thinking of perhaps doing this once I finish unit 3 (around mid term 2).

[xenial]

Lol wow. You guys are committed. I don't think I did anything for chem over the summer holidays.

By all means, that will be an auspicious beginning to the year. But remember that revising hard for your exams is always the key to success 

[PB]

^Didn't do any work over holidays for chem - still gets a 50... way to go demoralising those hard workers who didn't manage to succeed as you did!

[Edward21]

I'd definitely make sure you can get your head around the spectroscopy techniques + chromatography even and understand how to interpret the different spectra and chromatograms, people often find this difficult The gravimetric, volumetric analysis (acid/base+redox) and organic reactions are easier to pick up during the year

[Yacoubb]

I'd definitely make sure you can get your head around the spectroscopy techniques + chromatography even and understand how to interpret the different spectra and chromatograms, people often find this difficult The gravimetric, volumetric analysis (acid/base+redox) and organic reactions are easier to pick up during the year

Are the questions in the chapter reviews in the Heinemann Chemistry 2 textbook similar to those on exams? For spectroscopy & chromatography, should we learn about the technique itself in addition to reading spectra & chromatograms? So, learning about how chromatography actually works?

[Stick]

I only completed Chapter 2 of the Heinemann textbook. o_o Gosh I feel so weird right now. XD

[PB]

^ Yeh, I made it up to like chapter 3 before school started the head start lasted 3 days I think

[Edward21]

Are the questions in the chapter reviews in the Heinemann Chemistry 2 textbook similar to those on exams? For spectroscopy & chromatography, should we learn about the technique itself in addition to reading spectra & chromatograms? So, learning about how chromatography actually works?

Yeah that textbook is really good, plus on the CD it has worked solutions for all questions so refer to that when correcting, the back doesn't have many of the answers.....
Well the spectra or chromatogram comes hand in hand with the theory being learnt, it's sort of useless trying to learn one without the other, the data reflects the theory basically. It's proof of what you've learnt about how the machine analyses a sample.
Yeah, learn chromatography, it's not that hard once you really get the hang of it. It's basically the separation of components bases on their relative affinity for the stationary phase and solubility in the mobile phase, the more soluble it is in the mobile phase (the moving thing) the further it travels. Adsorption to the SP, desorption to the MP. It's a continual process of sticking to the SP, then going in the MP. There's probably some videos on YouTube that may help you understand this with an animation. Try chemguide uk it has nice explanations

[xenial]

Yeah in retrospect I think I read up to Heinemann chapter 2, but my school set that as homework.

I didn't mean to demoralise holiday workers! I only meant to give hope to people who don't want to sacrifice their summer for work - because I didn't. In my opinion, exam revision is by far the most important aspect to doing well in chem If starting early helps you do more of that, then go right ahead. It's especially good now that you can start unit 3 praccies before you've finished the course altogether.