ATAR Notes: Forum

Uni Stuff => Universities - Victoria => University of Melbourne => Topic started by: jinny1 on October 11, 2012, 06:32:17 pm

Title: Chemistry 1/2 - Memorizing the first 36 elements
Post by: jinny1 on October 11, 2012, 06:32:17 pm: So my Chem 1 lecturer tells us that we need to know the first 36 elements in the periodic table since the table will not be in the exam!!!

So can previous chem1/chem2 students give me some guidance how to best learn and to what extent to learn them??

Do i need to know their atomic number, valence electrons, number of electrons, exactly where they are positioned in the table etc.

Thanks
Title: Re: Chemistry 1/2 - Memorizing the first 36 elements
Post by: Starlight on October 11, 2012, 06:51:03 pm: Quote from: jinny1 on October 11, 2012, 06:32:17 pm
So my Chem 1 lecturer tells us that we need to know the first 36 elements in the periodic table since the table will not be in the exam!!!

So can previous chem1/chem2 students give me some guidance how to best learn and to what extent to learn them??

Do i need to know their atomic number, valence electrons, number of electrons, exactly where they are positioned in the table etc.

Thanks

Same here i'll have to do this for a few elements.

I think atomic number, no. valence electrons (group)

mass number probably irrelevant (maybe for the most basic elements like H, O etc.) but i don't think you guys do these calculations like you did in sem 1 like mole calculations.

Just write up a new periodic table with the group, atomic number etc. Maybe put them in the classes like halogens etc.
Title: Re: Chemistry 1/2 - Memorizing the first 36 elements
Post by: charmanderp on October 11, 2012, 07:06:43 pm: If I had to do it I'd probably do it my group number or molar mass. Right now I can kinda piece it together by knowing that aluminium is heaver than sodium and such, plus knowing the number of electrons in the outer shell is another pretty good guide.
Title: Re: Chemistry 1/2 - Memorizing the first 36 elements
Post by: nisha on October 11, 2012, 08:05:48 pm: I can help you remember the first 20 ...and then you will have to continue.
Ok, so we have the first few elements and I recite their chemical symbol:::
HHeLi-BeB-CNOF-NeNa-MgAl-SiPS-ClArKCa

FYI: the symbols are above, just joined together to make it easier.
Pronounce as follows: Ha-li-beb-cnof-ne-nam-gal-sips-clarka
(cbbs capitalising). Say it a few times, and its catchy so you should memorise it. Then in the exam, just write he pronunciation down, and you should be able to see your elements in order (what I mean is separate nam-gal=Na, Mg, Al). Took me only 15 mins to memorise, and I it from year 10. Goodluck (continue the same pattern for the remaining elements).
Title: Re: Chemistry 1/2 - Memorizing the first 36 elements
Post by: brenden on October 11, 2012, 08:09:35 pm: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGM-wSKFBpo
Thank me later.
Title: Re: Chemistry 1/2 - Memorizing the first 36 elements
Post by: taiga on October 11, 2012, 08:16:11 pm: This is how I got the first 20 back in year 11
http://everything2.com/title/Periodic+table+mnemonic
Title: Re: Chemistry 1/2 - Memorizing the first 36 elements
Post by: paulsterio on October 11, 2012, 08:16:27 pm: Lmao, I never understand why we have to memorise elements, what a waste of precious memory space!

But honestly though, it's not hard, I remember the first 20 because I learnt them in Year 10, you just have to practice not using the periodic table and you'll eventually get it.
Title: Re: Chemistry 1/2 - Memorizing the first 36 elements
Post by: jinny1 on October 11, 2012, 08:54:17 pm: Thank you heaps guys! Had a good laugh at the youtube video song lol

I have learnt a mnemonic to help wit the names/order but it is hard to infer the molar mass, atomic number, group/period number, valence electrons etc.

I agree with Paul... Fundamentals of chem gave you a periodic table!!!
Title: Re: Chemistry 1/2 - Memorizing the first 36 elements
Post by: John President on October 11, 2012, 10:41:47 pm: Back in the day, my dad learnt this one for Period 2:

Little Bare-Breasted Clarissa Nibbles On Freddie's Nuts
Title: Re: Chemistry 1/2 - Memorizing the first 36 elements
Post by: jinny1 on October 11, 2012, 10:50:09 pm: Quote from: John President on October 11, 2012, 10:41:47 pm
Back in the day, my dad learnt this one for Period 2:

Little Bare-Breasted Clarissa Nibbles On Freddie's Nuts

lmao
Title: Re: Chemistry 1/2 - Memorizing the first 36 elements
Post by: thushan on October 11, 2012, 11:24:12 pm: Ah yes. Memorising the elements is quite useful, saves the tedious time of pulling out a periodic table.

To memorise them....you could use a mnemonic. I used my Dad's voice to memorise it (he got me to memorise it as a kid).
Title: Re: Chemistry 1/2 - Memorizing the first 36 elements
Post by: charmanderp on October 11, 2012, 11:48:14 pm: I don't understand why you'd need to memorise them though? What function does it serve in university level chemistry?
Title: Re: Chemistry 1/2 - Memorizing the first 36 elements
Post by: thushan on October 11, 2012, 11:49:03 pm: Quote from: Chemderp on October 11, 2012, 11:48:14 pm
I don't understand why you'd need to memorise them though? What function does it serve in university level chemistry?

Convenience. It's just easier for you.
Title: Re: Chemistry 1/2 - Memorizing the first 36 elements
Post by: charmanderp on October 11, 2012, 11:50:29 pm: So is it more about knowing how many protons/electrons/neutrons each one has or just knowing the order? The former I can understand but not the latter.
Title: Re: Chemistry 1/2 - Memorizing the first 36 elements
Post by: Aurelian on October 12, 2012, 11:24:22 pm: Quote from: jinny1 on October 11, 2012, 06:32:17 pm
Do i need to know their atomic number, valence electrons, number of electrons, exactly where they are positioned in the table etc.

Thanks

Tbh you only really need to know the order, and then you should be able to figure out all that stuff from that...