Summer Holiday Work!

[Aaddiittyyaa]

Hey everyone !

This is my first post on AtarNotes, and I was wondering what I could get started on in regards to Chemistry as a head start for next year.

Our first SAC will probably be on Redox and Fuels (7th of March). What would you recommend?

Thanks ! Much appreciated.

[sweetcheeks]

It depends on how much work you're willing to do. If you have enough time/are motivated enough, you could read through the entire textbook and introduce yourself to the content and concepts before you get to them in class. I did that during my break and I found that even though I didn't fully understand some things, I was much more prepared in class and didn't have to worry too much about all this new information that was presented.

I also recommend that you keep practicing some of the basic concepts from 1/2 that will carry over to 3/4 (especially stoichiometry and those type of calculations).

[Vaike]

Hi!

Firstly, welcome to ATAR Notes! Personally, I went through Unit 3 by reading the textbook, doing the questions and writing notes over the summer break. Would I recommend this? Maybe, maybe not. If you have the time, I think it's a good way to familiarise yourself with the content, however it is also somewhat unnecessary. I found that I'd forgotten a fair few of the concepts by the time we got to them in class, and trying to extend myself and learn unit 4 in class whilst everyone else did unit 3 work was a bit confusing.

What I'd probably suggest is reading through a little bit of the textbook each day, making light notes and annotations if you want, and then going online to watch videos to help solidify the concepts covered. I personally found sites like Khan Academy to be extremely helpful in explaining concepts that were a bit tricky to grasp from the textbook alone.

Make sure you take some time to look after yourself as well! Get plenty of rest and do some activities that will help you relax and refresh for next year; because you've got a marathon like challenge ahead of you!

[Aaddiittyyaa]

Hi!

Firstly, welcome to ATAR Notes! Personally, I went through Unit 3 by reading the textbook, doing the questions and writing notes over the summer break. Would I recommend this? Maybe, maybe not. If you have the time, I think it's a good way to familiarise yourself with the content, however it is also somewhat unnecessary. I found that I'd forgotten a fair few of the concepts by the time we got to them in class, and trying to extend myself and learn unit 4 in class whilst everyone else did unit 3 work was a bit confusing.

What I'd probably suggest is reading through a little bit of the textbook each day, making light notes and annotations if you want, and then going online to watch videos to help solidify the concepts covered. I personally found sites like Khan Academy to be extremely helpful in explaining concepts that were a bit tricky to grasp from the textbook alone.

Make sure you take some time to look after yourself as well! Get plenty of rest and do some activities that will help you relax and refresh for next year; because you've got a marathon like challenge ahead of you!

Thanks for the advice Vaike ! I am going through the textbook with one of my friends, and making mindmaps. However, we believe that going too far is detrimental. Our teachers also advise us just to do the holiday homework. What do you think?

It depends on how much work you're willing to do. If you have enough time/are motivated enough, you could read through the entire textbook and introduce yourself to the content and concepts before you get to them in class. I did that during my break and I found that even though I didn't fully understand some things, I was much more prepared in class and didn't have to worry too much about all this new information that was presented.

I also recommend that you keep practicing some of the basic concepts from 1/2 that will carry over to 3/4 (especially stoichiometry and those type of calculations).

Hi Sweetcheeks (amazing name)
What were the topics that will carry over to next year from 1/2?

MOD EDIT: merged posts. It is possible to multiquote in a single post . //Sine

[Vaike]

Thanks for the advice Vaike ! I am going through the textbook with one of my friends, and making mindmaps. However, we believe that going too far is detrimental. Our teachers also advise us just to do the holiday homework. What do you think?

No worries. You said your first SAC is on redox and fuels, I think completing up to this point would be a good start.

[domjamriska]

Having done chemistry this year, I feel as though fuels is a really minor part of the course, consisting primarily of rote learning. I would encourage you to consult the textbook, any notes you have or videos (eg. edrolo) and make your own set of notes, while addressing each point of the chemistry study design: http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Documents/vce/chemistry/ChemistrySD-2016.pdf
- definition of renewable, non-renewable
- biofuels, green-house gases, advantages/disadvantages
- analysis questions and case studies (eg. checkpoints)

Overall, fuels is able to be covered fairly independently from formal teaching.

REDOX, however, requires an in-depth understanding and is in my opinion, far more important for the chemistry course as it relates to topics later on in the course. Once again, i would encourage looking at the textbook/notes/videos/study design and familiarising yourself with equations, possibly going into checkpoints or practice questions. Remember your goal is not to get the correct answers , but ultimately truly understand what processes are occuring and why; this will be far more valuable in both VCE and beyond.
This is far harder to learn independently and you may struggle to grasp the concepts entirely. But don't worry, there's plenty of time!! Remember that any work you do now will help you significantly during the year when you are pushed for time, so i would definitely say that any study you undertake during the holidays is time well spent. You will be very thankful later on!

Only other thing i would say is check with your school what resources they have access to (edrolo, TSSM, jacaranda etc). All highly recommended and very useful.
If you are struggling to find helpful content PM me and I can look through my files and email you some worthwhile content.

I hope you're enjoying chemistry, I think it's a very interesting course ... as the year progresses i'm sure it'll all begin to make sense (hopefully)!!

[Aaddiittyyaa]

Having done chemistry this year, I feel as though fuels is a really minor part of the course, consisting primarily of rote learning. I would encourage you to consult the textbook, any notes you have or videos (eg. edrolo) and make your own set of notes, while addressing each point of the chemistry study design: http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Documents/vce/chemistry/ChemistrySD-2016.pdf
- definition of renewable, non-renewable
- biofuels, green-house gases, advantages/disadvantages
- analysis questions and case studies (eg. checkpoints)

Overall, fuels is able to be covered fairly independently from formal teaching.

REDOX, however, requires an in-depth understanding and is in my opinion, far more important for the chemistry course as it relates to topics later on in the course. Once again, i would encourage looking at the textbook/notes/videos/study design and familiarising yourself with equations, possibly going into checkpoints or practice questions. Remember your goal is not to get the correct answers , but ultimately truly understand what processes are occuring and why; this will be far more valuable in both VCE and beyond.
This is far harder to learn independently and you may struggle to grasp the concepts entirely. But don't worry, there's plenty of time!! Remember that any work you do now will help you significantly during the year when you are pushed for time, so i would definitely say that any study you undertake during the holidays is time well spent. You will be very thankful later on!

Only other thing i would say is check with your school what resources they have access to (edrolo, TSSM, jacaranda etc). All highly recommended and very useful.
If you are struggling to find helpful content PM me and I can look through my files and email you some worthwhile content.

I hope you're enjoying chemistry, I think it's a very interesting course ... as the year progresses i'm sure it'll all begin to make sense (hopefully)!!

Thank you very much for your advice, domjamriska.

[Bri MT]

Electrochem is something students struggle to understand whereas fuels is something students struggle to remember.

In studying for fuels:
-create simple tables  (eg biodiesel vs petrodiesel) and stick the tables somewhere in your room that you will see often
-consider using online q cards (eg Quizlet )
-explain aloud why the differences in properties exist

In studying for electrochemistry:
-watch videos (YouTube has some good ones)
-print off a data booklet from the VCAA website and annotate the electrochemical series
-use memory aids such as AN OIL RIG CAT
 (ANode is the site of Oxidation which Is the Loss of electrons. Reduction Is Gain of electrons and occurs at the CAThode)
-practice application using text book questions, then if you feel comfortable with those go for previous study design exam questions


Of course, your own learning preferences will factor in to this as will your environment. However, I hope some of these ideas will be useful to you

[Yertle the Turtle]

Something that my Chemistry class is doing is going through a couple of chapters of last years Checkpoints book, but going through the first few chapters of the textbook is great too. Remember that stoichiometry and redox reactions will be quite important to cover.

[Vaike]

...do you believe its possible to finish both unit 3 and 4 in the holidays? (my goal)

Depends what you mean by 'finishing' both units. It's certainly possible to read through the entire textbook over the holidays and make notes and so on. However, personally I found this to be quite difficult and draining, and whilst I did remember a few things as I re-learned everything throughout the year, I don't think it is the most efficient use of time. If you really want to, go for it, but just make sure you also spend some time on your other subjects, and portion a significant amount of time relaxing and refreshing for next year. It's a long road ahead, so don't get burnt out before you begin!