Poll: Chemistry. Hard?

[Thedutchjelle]

I'm not sure, I'm guessing you're an US citizen, in which case my Dutch high-school VWO Chemistry would probably be a terrible example, but sinceyou asked - I find Chemistry to have easy and rather hard subjects. Rather hard subjects on which half the class failed were how the things like the different configurations of atoms inside molucules and if it would be a different molucule or just a mirrored one. Easier ones were things about acid/alkalic reactions and carbon-related thing (alcohols, organic acids, fat acids, etc)
I'm pretty much of a 'beta'-student though, as in, I have physics, biology, mathematics, informatica, and ofc chemistry, so I have interest in science, which could make it a tad easier (motivation goes a long way!)
We also got a book that we're allowed to have during tests and exams that contains all the trivial data, so that one does not have to memorize it. It won't save you if you don't know how chemistry works, but it's awesome because we don't have to learn tons of pointless data we can just look up. We also use the metric system. I guess that if you use the imperial system, it might be harder.

I'd like to point out though that atleast in my country, people who have chemistry have a better understanding of the chemical processes that happen in biology (the people in my biology class who did not have chemistry had to take some crash courses). It also gives you a better understanding of the world around you, but so do all classes in school, I suppose. I'm clueless as to what IPC is, tbh.

 

[Goldbling]

I took chemistry for a semester last year, and I had an easy time with it. (Mind you this was freshmen chemistry. I've no idea what you're heading into.)

I'm a Junior this year, but my school is weird. They want us to take Algebra 1 then Geometry then Algebra 2 then Calculus (Calculus is in the right place). Also with history they want us to take Geography, WORLD history, U.S. History, then Government and Economics (Witch I am going to take dual enrollment in). What was the point in telling you this? I have no idea...

 

[Assassin Xaero]

I took normal chemistry, adv. chem (CHM160), and AP chem (CHM170/175 or something like that)... they were all easy... did worst in adv. though... mostly because I was about to fall asleep every day and didn't pay attention...

 

[nekolux]

I'm taking chemistry physics and biology at the same time so i think i can safely say that chemistry is pretty easy.

There are 2 types of subjects, those that are heavy on the memory work and those that focus more on understanding the concepts.
Physics is heavily focused on the concepts. Biology is very heavy on the memory work. Chemistry is sort of in the middle. You'll have to memorize a lot of reactions. Particularly for the practical parts where you have to remember the tests and test results for many different metals and salts. However it's not quite as heavy as biology which requires you to basically memorize everything. I'd say go for the chem.

In IPC, the things you learn are pretty much the same as the chemistry classes. The exams are slightly easier but what's the point if you're not getting credit for knowing what you already know? Take the pure chemistry. Biology too if you can fit it in, the 2 are very related and very useful

 

[Cortheya]

Chem is pretty 'hard' overall. Not saying you can't do well in it.

(In high school anyway)
Physics = requires high intellect
Chem = medium intellect + medium work
Bio = high work or (no work, depending on how good your memory is)

Edit: and for some friends of mine, chemistry is 'a piece of cake'. Some people just have different talents for different things

Awww high work for me in BIO this year

 

[fix-the-spade]

I found Chemistry impossible, which always puzzled me as I'm very good at physics, I thought the the skills would just transfer over, they don't.

If you like the subject, go for it. If IPC is how you describe it then even a middling pass in specialised Chemistry will be better than a perfect grade IPC.

It's mostly the terminology that bothers me about chemistry.

For example, from this reference [http://www.woodrow.org/teachers/chemistry/links/chem1/NamingComp.html]:

DIRECTIONS: If the answer to a question is No, go to the next similarly numbered or lettered question. If the answer is Yes, follow any directions listed and go on to the first subdivision. Once you have said Yes to a subdivision, all following subdivisions of that question are skipped. In this manner continue through questions 1 ---> 6 until the compound has been named.

1. Is the first element a nonmetal?
1. Is the compound binary (consists of only two elements) ?
1. Is the first element H?
1. Is the compound a gas?
Write hydrogen as the first part of its name.
[Go to #3}.
2. The compound is a binary acid
Write the prefix "hydro", follow this by the root of the name for the second element, end the first word of the compound name in "ic". Follow this with the word "acid".

Example: HCl(aq) = hydrochloric acid.
[STOP]
2. Is the second element H?
Some common examples:
BH3 borane
NH3 ammonia
PH3 phosphane
CH4 methane

3. This is usual type of binary compound compound composed of two nonmetals.
Such a compound is named by using a Greek prefix designating the number of atoms for the elements in the formula. Note that the Greek prefix "mono-" is not used with the first element, just the second. Also, end the name of the second element in "ide".

Greek Prefixes Number
mono- 1
di- 2
tri- 3
tetra- 4
penta- 5
hexa- 6
hepta- 7
octa- 8
nona- 9
deca- 10

For Example: CO = carbon monoxide, P2O5 = diphosphorus pentoxide, CCl4= carbon tetrachloride.
[STOP]
2. Is the positive ion NH4+?
Write ammonium for the first part of the compound name.
[Go to #3}
3. Is the first element H?
Find the name of the negative ion.
1. Does the name of the negative ion end in "-ide"?
1. Is the compound a gas?
Write 'hydrogen" followed by the name of the negative ion.
For example: HCN (g) = hydrogen cyanide
2. Is the compound an aqueous solution?
Change the "-ate" ending of the negative ion to "-ic", add the prefix "hydro-" to the negative ion, and add the word "acid" to the compound name.
For example: HCN (aq) = hydrocyanic acid
2. Does the name of the negative ion end in "-ate'?
Change the "-ate" ending of the negative ion to "-ic", and add the word "acid".
For example: H3BO3 = boric acid (BO33- = borate)
3. Does the name of the negative ion end in "-ite'?
Change the "-ite" ending of the negative ion to "-ous", and add the word "acid".
For example: HNO2 = nitrous acid (NO21- = nitrite)

2. Is the first element a metal?
1. Does the first element have a varying oxidation number? (See table 3)
Write the name of the first element followed by its oxidation number (omitting the +) written as a Roman Numeral in ( ).
To determine this oxidation number: (1) multiply the oxidation number of the negative ion (anion) in the formula by the number of these negative ions, (2) divide this product by the number of atoms of the first element in the formula and (3) change the sign to +. (Remember the sum of the oxidation numbers in a compound must be equal to zero; the sum of the oxidation numbers in a polyatomic ion must equal the charge on the ion.)
For example: Fe2(SO4)3 = iron(III) .....
OR
Write the root of the name for the first element followed by "ous" for the lower of the two oxidation numbers or "ic" for the higher of the two oxidation numbers.
For example: Fe2(SO4)3 = ferric ..... because the two oxidation numbers for iron are +2 and +3.
2. Write the name of the first element.

3. Is the the negative ion in the compound formula a single element?
For the second part of the compound name, write the name of the element, changing the ending to "-ide".

For example: The chlorine in Cl- becomes chloride.

4. Is the first element of the negative ion in the compound formula H?
1. Is the oxidation number of the polyatomic ion following the hydrogen equal to -2?
Add the prefix "bi-" to the name of this ion and write it as the second part of the formula name.
OR Write the word "hydrogen" followed by the name of that polyatomic ion.
For example: the HSO41- ion is called bisulfate or hydrogen sulfate; NaHSO4 is called sodium bisulfate or sodium hydrogen sulfate.
2. To write the second part of the compound name: (1) add the Greek prefix for the number of hydrogen to the word "hydrogen" and (2) follow this by the name of the polyatomic ion written after the H in the negative ion of the formula.
For example: Na2HPO4 is sodium monohydrogen phosphate and NaH2PO4 is sodium dihydrogen phosphate.

5. Write the name of the negative ion as the second part of the compound name.
6. Is the compound a hydrate? (Is there an . X H2O written at the end of the formula?)
After the name of the first part of the formula write the word "hydrate" with the appropriate Greek prefix to indicate the number of water molecules in the hydrated form.
For example: CuSO4. 5 H2O is copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate.

Sorry, felt that was needed.

 

[Goldbling]

I'm taking chemistry physics and biology at the same time so i think i can safely say that chemistry is pretty easy.

There are 2 types of subjects, those that are heavy on the memory work and those that focus more on understanding the concepts.
Physics is heavily focused on the concepts. Biology is very heavy on the memory work. Chemistry is sort of in the middle. You'll have to memorize a lot of reactions. Particularly for the practical parts where you have to remember the tests and test results for many different metals and salts. However it's not quite as heavy as biology which requires you to basically memorize everything. I'd say go for the chem.

In IPC, the things you learn are pretty much the same as the chemistry classes. The exams are slightly easier but what's the point if you're not getting credit for knowing what you already know? Take the pure chemistry. Biology too if you can fit it in, the 2 are very related and very useful

My school makes us take pre-planed courses, like freshman year you MUST take Biology, Geometry, English I, and Algebra I or you have the option of taking the Pre-Ap or the AP version of that class. Junior year is the same with the exception of IPC, you can take IPC or Chemistry, English II, World History, and Geometry or the Pre-AP or AP version of that class.

 

[geldonyetich]

I found Chemistry impossible, which always puzzled me as I'm very good at physics, I thought the the skills would just transfer over, they don't.

If you like the subject, go for it. If IPC is how you describe it then even a middling pass in specialised Chemistry will be better than a perfect grade IPC.

It's mostly the terminology that bothers me about chemistry.

For example, from this reference [http://www.woodrow.org/teachers/chemistry/links/chem1/NamingComp.html]:

DIRECTIONS: If the answer to a question is No, go to the next similarly numbered or lettered question. If the answer is Yes, follow any directions listed and go on to the first subdivision. Once you have said Yes to a subdivision, all following subdivisions of that question are skipped. In this manner continue through questions 1 ---> 6 until the compound has been named.

1. Is the first element a nonmetal?
1. Is the compound binary (consists of only two elements) ?
1. Is the first element H?
1. Is the compound a gas?
Write hydrogen as the first part of its name.
[Go to #3}.
2. The compound is a binary acid
Write the prefix "hydro", follow this by the root of the name for the second element, end the first word of the compound name in "ic". Follow this with the word "acid".

Example: HCl(aq) = hydrochloric acid.
[STOP]
2. Is the second element H?
Some common examples:
BH3 borane
NH3 ammonia
PH3 phosphane
CH4 methane

3. This is usual type of binary compound compound composed of two nonmetals.
Such a compound is named by using a Greek prefix designating the number of atoms for the elements in the formula. Note that the Greek prefix "mono-" is not used with the first element, just the second. Also, end the name of the second element in "ide".

Greek Prefixes Number
mono- 1
di- 2
tri- 3
tetra- 4
penta- 5
hexa- 6
hepta- 7
octa- 8
nona- 9
deca- 10

For Example: CO = carbon monoxide, P2O5 = diphosphorus pentoxide, CCl4= carbon tetrachloride.
[STOP]
2. Is the positive ion NH4+?
Write ammonium for the first part of the compound name.
[Go to #3}
3. Is the first element H?
Find the name of the negative ion.
1. Does the name of the negative ion end in "-ide"?
1. Is the compound a gas?
Write 'hydrogen" followed by the name of the negative ion.
For example: HCN (g) = hydrogen cyanide
2. Is the compound an aqueous solution?
Change the "-ate" ending of the negative ion to "-ic", add the prefix "hydro-" to the negative ion, and add the word "acid" to the compound name.
For example: HCN (aq) = hydrocyanic acid
2. Does the name of the negative ion end in "-ate'?
Change the "-ate" ending of the negative ion to "-ic", and add the word "acid".
For example: H3BO3 = boric acid (BO33- = borate)
3. Does the name of the negative ion end in "-ite'?
Change the "-ite" ending of the negative ion to "-ous", and add the word "acid".
For example: HNO2 = nitrous acid (NO21- = nitrite)

2. Is the first element a metal?
1. Does the first element have a varying oxidation number? (See table 3)
Write the name of the first element followed by its oxidation number (omitting the +) written as a Roman Numeral in ( ).
To determine this oxidation number: (1) multiply the oxidation number of the negative ion (anion) in the formula by the number of these negative ions, (2) divide this product by the number of atoms of the first element in the formula and (3) change the sign to +. (Remember the sum of the oxidation numbers in a compound must be equal to zero; the sum of the oxidation numbers in a polyatomic ion must equal the charge on the ion.)
For example: Fe2(SO4)3 = iron(III) .....
OR
Write the root of the name for the first element followed by "ous" for the lower of the two oxidation numbers or "ic" for the higher of the two oxidation numbers.
For example: Fe2(SO4)3 = ferric ..... because the two oxidation numbers for iron are +2 and +3.
2. Write the name of the first element.

3. Is the the negative ion in the compound formula a single element?
For the second part of the compound name, write the name of the element, changing the ending to "-ide".

For example: The chlorine in Cl- becomes chloride.

4. Is the first element of the negative ion in the compound formula H?
1. Is the oxidation number of the polyatomic ion following the hydrogen equal to -2?
Add the prefix "bi-" to the name of this ion and write it as the second part of the formula name.
OR Write the word "hydrogen" followed by the name of that polyatomic ion.
For example: the HSO41- ion is called bisulfate or hydrogen sulfate; NaHSO4 is called sodium bisulfate or sodium hydrogen sulfate.
2. To write the second part of the compound name: (1) add the Greek prefix for the number of hydrogen to the word "hydrogen" and (2) follow this by the name of the polyatomic ion written after the H in the negative ion of the formula.
For example: Na2HPO4 is sodium monohydrogen phosphate and NaH2PO4 is sodium dihydrogen phosphate.

5. Write the name of the negative ion as the second part of the compound name.
6. Is the compound a hydrate? (Is there an . X H2O written at the end of the formula?)
After the name of the first part of the formula write the word "hydrate" with the appropriate Greek prefix to indicate the number of water molecules in the hydrated form.
For example: CuSO4. 5 H2O is copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate.

Sorry, felt that was needed.

The thought crossed my mind, but I decided a spoiler tag would diminish the epicness of the endeavor.

 

[warheadx2]

Unfortunately i didn't understand much of the chemistry, because i had an extremely religious teacher; she mostly preached about Christ and how Coca Cola is Satan's drink, and how we should throw away our TVs (because they are the source of sin) and so on, and left little time for actually teaching us chemistry. That's how i got to be an electrical engineer.

 

[Andalusa]

I'm quite good at all the sciences at school.
Biology is easiest as I can just sit there and not listen properly and all the information gets absorbed.
Physics comes naturally to me, you just have to understand things.
Chemistry is the one I have to work hardest at to be able to do, but it's easy enough.

 

[fix-the-spade]

The thought crossed my mind, but I decided a spoiler tag would diminish the epicness of the endeavor.

Maybe so, but is it really epic enough to cause so many index fingers and so many scroll wheels so much needless suffering, is it, is it really? (cue violins)

 

[nekolux]

I'm taking chemistry physics and biology at the same time so i think i can safely say that chemistry is pretty easy.

There are 2 types of subjects, those that are heavy on the memory work and those that focus more on understanding the concepts.
Physics is heavily focused on the concepts. Biology is very heavy on the memory work. Chemistry is sort of in the middle. You'll have to memorize a lot of reactions. Particularly for the practical parts where you have to remember the tests and test results for many different metals and salts. However it's not quite as heavy as biology which requires you to basically memorize everything. I'd say go for the chem.

In IPC, the things you learn are pretty much the same as the chemistry classes. The exams are slightly easier but what's the point if you're not getting credit for knowing what you already know? Take the pure chemistry. Biology too if you can fit it in, the 2 are very related and very useful

My school makes us take pre-planed courses, like freshman year you MUST take Biology, Geometry, English I, and Algebra I or you have the option of taking the Pre-Ap or the AP version of that class. Junior year is the same with the exception of IPC, you can take IPC or Chemistry, English II, World History, and Geometry or the Pre-AP or AP version of that class.

Ok then definitely chemistry. Your subjects already seem to be lacking quite a few compared to my schedule here of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math, advanced math, geography, history, English, Political science.

Like i said before, you're going to have to study pretty much the same thing as the Chemistry guys in IPC. Might as well get credit for it =)

Edit: One thing that i found helped me study was interest. Get interested in the topic you're studying. Don't be afraid to spend a few hours wandering the internet to read some wiki articles on chemistry reactions which you find interesting. Watch youtube videos of chemical reactions at work. Interest helps you study A LOT more efficiently

 

[Cargando]

It's very hard, so why combine it with physics, which is even harder?

 

[nekolux]

It's very hard, so why combine it with physics, which is even harder?

Exams for IPC is considered to be easier as less is expected of each subject since you're taking 2. Basically you don't go into the deeper, more challenging stuff on each subject. If you plot a graph of difficulty against how 'deep' a topic is in a subject. You'll see the curve is basically an exponential curve. The topics get a lot tougher, a lot faster the further you delve into a certain topic. That's why some weaker students tend to choose IPC.

 

[Cargando]

It's very hard, so why combine it with physics, which is even harder?

Exams for IPC is considered to be easier as less is expected of each subject since you're taking 2. Basically you don't go into the deeper, more challenging stuff on each subject. If you plot a graph of difficulty against how 'deep' a topic is in a subject. You'll see the curve is basically an exponential curve. The topics get a lot tougher, a lot faster the further you delve into a certain topic. That's why some weaker students tend to choose IPC.

Is IPC two exams or just one?

 

[nekolux]

It's very hard, so why combine it with physics, which is even harder?

Exams for IPC is considered to be easier as less is expected of each subject since you're taking 2. Basically you don't go into the deeper, more challenging stuff on each subject. If you plot a graph of difficulty against how 'deep' a topic is in a subject. You'll see the curve is basically an exponential curve. The topics get a lot tougher, a lot faster the further you delve into a certain topic. That's why some weaker students tend to choose IPC.

Is IPC two exams or just one?

Depends on individual systems i think. It's basically two exams but they combine the results into 1 single exam result.

 

[Omikron009]

Chemistry took me a long time to get right, but I'm competent at it now. I still like biology the best.

 

[Cargando]

It's very hard, so why combine it with physics, which is even harder?

Exams for IPC is considered to be easier as less is expected of each subject since you're taking 2. Basically you don't go into the deeper, more challenging stuff on each subject. If you plot a graph of difficulty against how 'deep' a topic is in a subject. You'll see the curve is basically an exponential curve. The topics get a lot tougher, a lot faster the further you delve into a certain topic. That's why some weaker students tend to choose IPC.

Is IPC two exams or just one?

Depends on individual systems i think. It's basically two exams but they combine the results into 1 single exam result.

I think it sounds like something we have in our school, where you combine ICT and RE. I think it'd be better to do one or the other rather than the ICP.

 

[LimeJester]

I find chemistry pretty easy. But anything you have an interest in will be easy since you will enjoy doing the work, so it just seems less difficult. My advice is to take it. Even if it ends up being difficult, there's a lot of good stuff to know. I still end up using my high school chemistry knowledge often.

And who knows, you may get an awesome chemistry teacher like I had who enjoyed blowing things up for the class. Gummi bears for instance. (Not a real explosion really, just a really powerful exothermic reaction when put in Potassium Chlorate.)

 

[geldonyetich]

The thought crossed my mind, but I decided a spoiler tag would diminish the epicness of the endeavor.

Maybe so, but is it really epic enough to cause so many index fingers and so many scroll wheels so much needless suffering, is it, is it really? (cue violins)

"Excuse me, Sir. Can I have less scrolling?"
"Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeessss?!"
Taken in this context [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STXco3O2PHI]