Poll: Chemistry. Hard?

[Ph33nix]

take it its worth it. it really is

 

[Bored Tomatoe]

CHOOSE PHYSICS! I chose chemistry at the end of my freshman year, and now I'm stuck with it this year. It's fucking hard, with lots and lots of math involved. My friend, who chose physics, says that it's a fucking blast with lots of fun experiments.

 

[antipunt]

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

The work in Bio totally depends on how good your memory is. My friend has a close to photographic-memory, and he hardly works at all =] (got into USC medical school, just enrolled this Monday, haha)

 

[BehattedWanderer]

Don't take IPC if you can avoid it. Take Biology, Physics, and Chemistry if you need three science credits (or whatever your school requires/offers). IPC is a waste of a year of your life.

 

[Berethond]

Chemistry is great is you have a good teacher.
If you don't....

 

[Sigel]

Go with Chem. It is easy if you just pay attention.

 

[Bulletinmybrain]

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

Biology I found to be easy, actually, very easy. Barring a few times where I was mindfucked during the year I could score extremely high on the tests without much effort. Actually, to be fair it is not much memory work at all. Organic compounds, cell division, mendels work, some more work on genetics and heredity, isotonic, hypotonic, and such solutions, lipids.. Very, very easy. Taking earth science next year, and then I have chemistry and then college chemistry and then university physics.

(Note on biology: You will be mindfucked, the test will usually have 3-5 mindfuck questions that aren't talked about in class at all.)

 

[Sipo]

i only took chem cuz the teacher's fuckin hot

 

[justnotcricket]

I really think it depends on what kind of chemistry you're dealing with. Speaking as a research chemist, and therefore having done a LOT of different kinds of chemistry over the years, I'd have to say that high school chemistry is really the least of your worries. Provided you understand the necessary equations (or at least memorise and know how to rearrange them) you should be fine. I think at the high school level it really comes down to rote-learning...having said that, even at the postgraduate level of university, some kinds of chemistry will appeal more than others or be easier than others. I know synthetic organic chemists who are absolute genius magicians in their field who couldn't calculate the pH of a buffer solution without a reference textbook, and whose eyes narrow scornfully when you speak of inorganic synthesis (probably because they don't understand it). =P

I guess personally I'd just go with whatever gives you the best qualification at the end of the day (and therefore the most options for the future), and just STUDY HARD. =P Not what you wanted to hear, I guess, but it's how it works at uni, anyway =)

Good luck!

 

[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.

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

well It goes on for 2 more years. Stuff like Earth Science and Animal Science are electives in my school.

 

[TMAN10112]

The real problem is acquiring the necessary ingredients and not getting on Big Brother's "watchlist"..............oh wait, you mean school chemistry?

From what I've heard it isn't too hard as long as you pay attention.

There once was an eminent chemist
Alas he is no more
Coz what he thought was H20
Was H2SO4

The way I heard it was;

Johnny was a chemist's son,
but now he is no more.
What johnny thought was H2O,
was H2SO4.

 

[esperandote]

take it, it will be very rewarding. and there are some other harder stuff, like medicine, theoretical physics or math research.

 

[cleverlymadeup]

chemistry is pretty easy

it's always fun to take and a fun tip when doing the unit on acids and your teacher asks for an acid say "lysergic diethylamide"

Why? I think I know why it's funny but I'm not sure.

Edit: yeah I knew it... LSD. OMG I have to take it now!

it's funny cause it actually is an acid

you can learn some really fun stuff in chemistry class, it really depends on how crazy your teacher is. my teacher we called the mad scientist cause he would do some fun and crazy stuff, like adding a bit of lithium to some acid. he also taught us how to make nitrogen triodide

anyways really it's not that hard, just a bunch of stuff to memorize. not so many formulas, unless you live in a place that still uses imperial as a form of measurement instead of metric

 

[Bulletinmybrain]

chemistry is pretty easy

it's always fun to take and a fun tip when doing the unit on acids and your teacher asks for an acid say "lysergic diethylamide"

Why? I think I know why it's funny but I'm not sure.

Edit: yeah I knew it... LSD. OMG I have to take it now!

it's funny cause it actually is an acid

you can learn some really fun stuff in chemistry class, it really depends on how crazy your teacher is. my teacher we called the mad scientist cause he would do some fun and crazy stuff, like adding a bit of lithium to some acid. he also taught us how to make nitrogen triodide

anyways really it's not that hard, just a bunch of stuff to memorize. not so many formulas, unless you live in a place that still uses imperial as a form of measurement instead of metric

IT IS ALWAYS A MAD SCIENTIST.

No matter what. Like an unwritten rule.

 

[Foxbat Flyer]

Chemistry was my favourite subject... once you get to grips with all the concepts its fairly easy... but what is easy for some is hard for others

 

[Lukeje]

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

For example,

Spoiler

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.

[STOP]

...trust me, IUPAC names are the least of your worries. When you get to University you have to start learning trivial names which have (seemingly) no logical reasoning.

...and at the OP, if you want to read some books that will convince you that Chemistry is the way to go:

The Periodic Table by Primo Levi [http://www.amazon.com/Periodic-Table-Primo-Levi/dp/0805210415/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1250033525&sr=8-1] - the story of Primo Levi's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primo_Levi] life, with each chapter related to a different element.
Crucibles: The Story of Chemistry by Bernard Jaffe [http://www.amazon.com/Crucibles-Chemistry-Ancient-Alchemy-Nuclear/dp/0486233421/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1250033664&sr=8-1] - an historical account of the people who made Chemistry what it is today.
Atkins' Molecules by Peter Atkins [http://www.amazon.com/Atkins-Molecules-Peter/dp/0521535360/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1250033917&sr=8-6] - a non-technical discussion of molecules from everyday life.

They're all suitable for someone with only a very basic knowledge of Chemistry, demonstrate what it is Chemistry is really about, and should be in your local library.

 

[Silver Scribbler]

Not sure what level corresponds to what seeing as the Scottish education system have to have all their own unique qualifications, but I did Higher Chemistry last year and found it to be pretty easy. There are a couple of hard topics, such as Redox reactions and Electrolysis calculations, but some of the others are laughably easy. Make sure you do plenty of work on the harder topics and you should be alright.

 

[zirnitra]

I did chemistry A level for a bit and found it fucking hard. but apparently here in Britain people around 16-18 are more advanced because we have to use undergraduate American text books for my politics A2 because the actual text books for the course weren't out yet. at the end of the day though it's just maths. if you have a head for equations and all that I can't imagine you finding it much easier/harder later on so you may as well do it now.

 

[lenin_117]

Hey everyone,

I'm kind of at a dilemma. I have a choice of taking chemistry or IPC(Integrated Physics and Chemistry) at my High School. IPC is much easier by what I hear, but if you take it you only graduate with the minimal recommendations even if you take chemistry later on. So I guess what I am asking is if chemistry is hard. What should I know before I take it? I know you need to know algebra, but thats not a problem for me.

Edit: or should I say, you have to be good at chemistry.

Where are you? Im in Australia and we don't have IPC here, only physics and chemistry (of different levels). I have to say Chem is pretty easy (for me).

 

[Superbeast]

Having taken Biochemistry at a Degree level (failing due to sucking horribly at maths, and several modules in degree-level physics involve a lot of maths), I have to say it's hard.

What you encounter at highschool will be pretty easy, college (that's the UK 16-18 education) stuff can be tricky until you get your basic conversion rates (and how to calculate moles/volumes/weights and vice-versa) and University-level chemistry is for the insane. But fun.

Dammit, I wish I was better at maths and taking chemistry (now on a much, much easier Classics course, something I also did in college and have a bit of a knack for)!