Poll: Chemistry. Hard?
- Thread starter Goldbling
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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.
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.
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...EcoEclipse said:
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...
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
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
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.
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.
Sorry, felt that was needed.geldonyetich said:
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.nekolux said:
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.
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.
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.
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)geldonyetich said:
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.Goldbling said:
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
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 said:
Chemistry took me a long time to get right, but I'm competent at it now. I still like biology the best.
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.)
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.)