VCE Chemistry Question Thread

[blacksanta62]

But isn't the rule of thumb if it's not in the study design, VCAA can't assess it?

Absolutely true, they won't asses it but it's an interesting read that shows some of the real life applications of the things we do in VCE chem. That was my main reason for sharing it

[rosemaria20]

Hi Guys,
Does anyone know an efficient way to make notes for Chem that contains all the right info. I've been trying to make notes from the textbook but the process is a bit tiring and I'm pretty a lot of it is unwanted. I also have a SAC coming up on biomolecules in about a week so any advice on that would be much appreciated as well..

[Elizawei]

Hi Guys,
Does anyone know an efficient way to make notes for Chem that contains all the right info. I've been trying to make notes from the textbook but the process is a bit tiring and I'm pretty a lot of it is unwanted. I also have a SAC coming up on biomolecules in about a week so any advice on that would be much appreciated as well..

Try listening to Chemisodes, it's a free podcast that summarises VCE chemistry quite well
You can find it on iTunes podcast store for free or here: http://jgoudie.podomatic.com/
He summarises the main points quite well
A good way to make good notes is to get the study design, and for each dotpoint check if you've covered it, then you should be good
I also have a biomolecules sac next week haha

[rosemaria20]

Thank you for that  Good Luck for the SAC

[smiley123]

The amount of alcohol, CH3CH2OH, in your breath can be determined by
blowing into a tube containing acidified potassium dichromate, K2Cr2O7. Which
substance has been oxidised and which has been reduced?

How do I work out which has been oxidised and which has been reduced if I am not given what the substances oxidise/reduce to?

[vox nihili]

The amount of alcohol, CH3CH2OH, in your breath can be determined by
blowing into a tube containing acidified potassium dichromate, K2Cr2O7. Which
substance has been oxidised and which has been reduced?

How do I work out which has been oxidised and which has been reduced if I am not given what the substances oxidise/reduce to?

Look at the oxidation number for dichromate and you'll see

Ethanol is oxidised, dichromate is reduced.

[smiley123]

oh, so do you have to separate substances into ions where possible and then compare their oxidation numbers?

[vox nihili]

oh, so do you have to separate substances into ions where possible and then compare their oxidation numbers?

Pretty sure that's it. If you think about it, potassium dichromate isn't probably gonna stick toegher in solution, so the ions effectively do act independently of one another

[Sine]

Is forensics still on the vce chemistry course?

[Elizawei]

Is forensics still on the vce chemistry course?

Pretty sure it's not anymore. (Which is so bad because I loved the PCR bits )

[JellyBeanz]

Pretty sure it's not anymore. (Which is so bad because I loved the PCR bits )

PCR was sort of a small topic though XD, VCE chemistry didn't really delve into it

[Elizawei]

PCR was sort of a small topic though XD, VCE chemistry didn't really delve into it

Haha bio did though!
Loving the bio bits in chem

[Swagadaktal]

Haha bio did though!
Loving the bio bits in chem

Yeah the bio bits are really interesting tbh - somewhat regret not doing bio but i'm also glad because VCE tends to suck out the joy in any subject -hopefully I'll get to delve into that stuff uni

[Elizawei]

Yeah the bio bits are really interesting tbh - somewhat regret not doing bio but i'm also glad because VCE tends to suck out the joy in any subject -hopefully I'll get to delve into that stuff uni

Haha you'll delve into a lot of that stuff in med!
Yeh haha VCE does tend to do that, especially for the more tedious subjects

Also, does anyone know which atoms are involved specifically in the phosphodiester bond?

[vox nihili]

Haha you'll delve into a lot of that stuff in med!
Yeh haha VCE does tend to do that, especially for the more tedious subjects

Also, does anyone know which atoms are involved specifically in the phosphodiester bond?

P-O-P

I always call them pop bonds in my head :p