Studying for chemistry these holidays?

[Streaker]

I'm aiming for a 99 ATAR (only need 30+ in chem to meet prerequisites for my course) and I'm truly at a loss as what to study for in chem these holidays. So far we've covered all of volumetric analysis (including acid-base), redox and chromatography and made a start on spectroscopy...now i have no idea what to do? Our teacher has set us nothing and he teaches us nothing apart from showing us powerpoints every class and briefly covering an entire topic in like 30 minutes. I tried doing questions from the Heinemann book but I just have no idea how to answer the theory-based questions without looking at the worked solutions. Does spectroscopy and chromatography appear in the form of calculation-type or theory-type questions in the exam? And to make it worse, chemistry is my only mid-year as well...

Can anyone suggest anything useful in terms of preparing for chemistry? I read a bit through spectroscopy but I have no idea what's relevant to exams and what's not. Could anybody help me with this problem? Would be much appreciated...Thanks.

[superflya]

its highly likely that we get both theory and calculation type questions for spectrosocopy and chromatography in the mid year exam. i suggest knowing learning the theory, it may take a while as there are quite a few techniques but its not overly complicated. wikipedia if u want another source of info. the questions should then make a lot more sense.

[Twenty10]

From what i've done, most of Chromatography is theory but spectroscopy is a combo of both.
(I think) Calibration graphs are relevant to the exams in terms of spectroscopy.

My teacher told us to stop at AAS and then learn organic chemistry because apparently it will make the next few Spectroscopic techniques (IR, NMR...) easier to learn later on. :S

[longy1991]

For spectroscopy, you need to mainly know what the analytical technique can be used for (eg. AAS for metals), if it's qualitative, quantitative, or both and why, the set up for some (AAS, UV-visible spectrophotemetry, MS), the principles behind why they work (eg. AAS and exciting valence electrons), calibration curves, and reading spectra and converting concentrations.

Chromatography you will need less knowledge on. But make sure you know theory like why and how each one works, and what they're made up of. After that just look at errors and limitations.

Then just practice questions and answers will come to you like second nature.

[naved_s9994]

In Chemistry, to perform exceptionally well on the exam it is vital to know the theory
inside-out! (Regardless if they ask a particular style of theory question or not.)

Any multiple choice, can test the theory in a number of ways, and knowing the
theory well, will reduce the time you sit down scratching your head! Aswell as
that, going into the exam you know you have covered the course well, giving
you some confidence to perform..  

I wanted to finish the course these holidays, hence Im personally upto the last
chapter for Chemistry (Unit 3) - Heinemann Textbook

___________________________________________________________________________


My tip, is too make detailed notes for each chapter thus far youve completed, and push ahead
with the textbook questions as much as you can strech yourself (with an aim to start trials whenever
feasible), because at the end of the day the more exam-style practice you can do the better!

I'd say you'd need a minimum of 7 -8 weeks preperation for the mid-years, what do others reckon?

[longy1991]

wow, 7-8 weeks? little bit excessive i reckon. I think i did about 2 weeks ish, don't burn out, but still smash the study when you've got to.

[superflya]

yea 7-8 weeks is way too much, ~4 should suffice.

[kyzoo]

Ya, learn all the theory. My personal goal is to learn everything up to and including Chapter 11.

Anyways, reading the textbook is insufficient. To understand the theory properly, you need to play around with the concepts entailed. And the easiest way to do that is to make notes that are organized in your own unique style (no list of bullet points please).

As to what is relevant to the exams and what isn't, about 90-95% of the textbook is relevant. The stuff that's generally irrelevant is the history, "chemistry in action" sections, and "the cutting edge" sections.

[physics]

YES YOU SHOULD ... i (L) chemistry =.= its soo hardddd T___T
i dont like it anymore D:
the spectroscopy stuff is mind blowing as in really complicated T^T

[darkphoenix]

Yeah theory is really important, cause you gotta know how everything works and why.

[vexx]

wow, 7-8 weeks? little bit excessive i reckon. I think i did about 2 weeks ish, don't burn out, but still smash the study when you've got to.

wow that's so good, i thought 7-8 was good if you want to get close to 50 :\

how much did you study in those two weeks, and doing what? you did amaaaazing

[physics]

wow i shouldneet try so hard if i only want a 35ish

[simonhu81292]

try so hard. . .
you try hard? ?

[superflya]

try so hard. . .
you try hard? ?

haha

[physics]

try so hard. . .
you try hard? ?

haha

i do i do... ur response is the same as my dad ughhh T^T
studying in my room and then dadd's like :what r u doing?
i say: i'm studying
dad says: u serious. u dont even wanna study
i say:   ...