Chemistry build up and aftermath

mikeglee · 06-06-2009 1:31pm #1

It's my worst subject and I'm trying my best to come to terms with the fact that the time is nearly here. Has anyone got any thoughts or comments about how they are getting on with study and preperation?

haha you looked

theowen · 06-06-2009 1:32pm

it's wayyyyy to early to remember i still have to do a chem test, shushhhhhh

mikeglee · 06-06-2009 1:33pm

its inevitable my dear friend, it's been on my mind since xmas, I am really anxious about it

phasers · 06-06-2009 1:34pm

OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD

I hate chemistry, wish I didn't do it...
I'm just desperately trying to scrape a pass

mikeglee · 06-06-2009 1:35pm

I hear ya loud and clear my friend, me too

lorna100 · 06-06-2009 1:36pm

Dont even go there yet, im taking them one at a time.

I really struggle with it, get the rapid revision chemistry, great book. Im reading bits every night before I go to sleep and its amazing what is staying in my head.

Any predictions? Have a few, will put them up closer to the time, when I root them out.

Fringe · 06-06-2009 1:38pm

Chemistry would be one of my strongest subjects

I'm looking forward to it. Once it's the last week, I can pretty much relax.

theowen · 06-06-2009 1:39pm

gah u boardsies, im tempted to dig for the chem book now, predictions:anions on some shape or form, ethene or ethyne, indutsrial chem; agus the usual stuffs.

Aisling(",) · 06-06-2009 1:56pm

Chemistry is by far my weakest subject but yet im still in fecking honors.
really need to pass....im being hopeful though:)

Idjit · 06-06-2009 2:20pm

Im in ordinary but need to pass it even thoughi was originally crossin it out of my six for points...i need it coz one of my preferences for college request that i pass a science subject.
I can understand the topics in chemistry no problem,its just REMEMBERING THE DEFINITIONS!
I find it really hard to remember exact words of things,i prefer to learn something in my own way and explain in my own way,but u cant do that in chem or in english quotes...it drives me mad!

challengemaster · 06-06-2009 2:21pm

Looking forward to Bio/Chem/Physics tbh - 3 strongest subjects.

Homicidal_jesus · 06-06-2009 2:37pm

looking forward to biology myself

but chemistry.....oh s**t...it could well or i could fail putting it off till late as i have 3 days before the exam to cram like crazy so ill be busy for those days

almostnever · 06-06-2009 2:42pm

I'm actually really looking forward to it :rolleyes: I love chemistry,one of my best subjects. Only prediction I've heard is the hypochorite ion,so we'll see

yummy91 · 06-06-2009 4:33pm

I'm actually looking forward to chem too:),, we've done soooo much revision on it after school and stuff.. another prediction>> I think that iron is tipped and obivously know your organic well.
I just have to go over some definitions and maybe one or two exp procedures, its the ONLY test I'm actually kinda prepared for:rolleyes:,,,, dreading physics!!:(

mikeglee · 06-06-2009 7:41pm

what questions could test for anions come up in?

galway.gaa · 06-06-2009 7:48pm

almostnever wrote: »

I'm actually really looking forward to it :rolleyes: I love chemistry,one of my best subjects. Only prediction I've heard is the hypochorite ion,so we'll see

whats the hypochorite ion? what no. q can that come up in?

andyman · 06-06-2009 7:49pm

mikeglee wrote: »

what questions could test for anions come up in?

One of them usually comes up in the short questions. But they could very easily come up in Q3. I'm hoping for them, the volatile liquid or rates of reaction (not going to happen).

Question 1. Hypochlorite titration
Question 2. Preparation and ethanal + examine it's properties.

Trust.

Killaqueen!!! · 06-06-2009 7:51pm

I wish we didn't have to do 2 experiment questions. I never had a clue what was going on when we were doing them - we were just told to follow the method in the book and do it ourselves without any explanation to what it is we WERE doing.

zodac · 06-06-2009 7:57pm

andyman wrote: »

Question 1. Hypochlorite titration

Which experiment was that? I don't recognise the name at all...

06-06-2009 7:58pm

zodac wrote: »

Which experiment was that? I don't recognise the name at all...

You might recognise it as the bleach titration.

rainbowtrout · 06-06-2009 8:43pm

Jade182 wrote: »

Im in ordinary but need to pass it even thoughi was originally crossin it out of my six for points...i need it coz one of my preferences for college request that i pass a science subject.
I can understand the topics in chemistry no problem,its just REMEMBERING THE DEFINITIONS!
I find it really hard to remember exact words of things,i prefer to learn something in my own way and explain in my own way,but u cant do that in chem or in english quotes...it drives me mad!

Well the only type of titration on OL is acid/base so make sure you know how to answer it, go back over past papers, all the questions are pretty much the same so if you do a few you should have that question in the bag.

There is nearly always a question of the type fill in the gaps/match term to meaning/match scientist to discovery. The answers are on the paper so no major effort to do the question

The option question focuses on only one topic out of each option each year. Last year the A option was Industrial Chem option, so this year it has to be the Environmental one. Considering it's OL they will probably ask about greenhouse gases, greenhouse effect, damage to environment etc. It would be a really easy question to answer. I don't teach the option B but I think it's Electrochemistry this year.

Like HL there is lots of Organic Chemistry, it would be worth focusing on it. It will also be the second of the experiments if you don't like O.Chem there are very little other experiments on the course at OL that could be asked as the third experiment question. Go through the list at the front of the book (assuming you are using Chemistry Live) and eliminate all titrations and org chem and see what is left over for Q3.

Killaqueen!!! wrote: »

I wish we didn't have to do 2 experiment questions. I never had a clue what was going on when we were doing them - we were just told to follow the method in the book and do it ourselves without any explanation to what it is we WERE doing.

Start with the titration, the same stuff is asked every year regardless of the type of titration it is, how to fill pipette, burette, how to make up a solution in a volumetric flask, indicators used, colour changes, and then the maths part. There will always be a few questions thrown in, individual to the experiment

The Maverick · 06-06-2009 9:49pm

Dreading this exam.I cannot stand chemistry,wish I hadn't done it.On the plus side it is my last exam.I think the bleach titration could come up,it hasnt appeared once on the paper since 2002.

herisson · 06-06-2009 9:50pm

im not looking forward to chemistry

why oh why did i pick this devil subject but still ive like 5 days to study for it so i guess ill pass it.......maybe....i hope

mikeglee · 06-06-2009 9:52pm

Pixie-Fairy wrote: »

im not looking forward to chemistry

why oh why did i pick this devil subject but still ive like 5 days to study for it so i guess ill pass it.......maybe....i hope

I hear ya

andyman · 06-06-2009 10:09pm

The Maverick wrote: »

Dreading this exam.I cannot stand chemistry,wish I hadn't done it.On the plus side it is my last exam.I think the bleach titration could come up,it hasnt appeared once on the paper since 2002.

It's never appeared. That was only the Department Sample Paper that it came up in.

Waaahhh · 06-06-2009 10:14pm

Chemistry seems so far away right now.....:eek:

mikeglee · 06-06-2009 10:20pm

It will soon creep up like a demon in the night my friend

not bakunin · 06-06-2009 11:34pm

i've been hearing that the topics on the 2004 paper havn't reared their ugly and unwieldy heads since, so all that shoite......edta etc. recrystallisation of benzoic acid.

woooahhh why does this bastardised subject have to be so nasty

OxfordComma · 07-06-2009 7:57am

I love chemistry. Need an A1 in it though...fingers crossed!

Don't worry! You'll get a lot done in 3/4 days. Remember, organic chemistry is 3 questions out of 8! Learn that and rates/atomic theory and you'll be grand.

Des23 · 07-06-2009 8:34am

Yeah, love a bit of chembo alright, it's not physics though...

I'd say Bleach Titration, and then just know rates, pH, thermo, organic and equilibrium, and you'll be fine.
I'd advise staying away from Q5 and all that Bohr stuff if you are going for the higher grades because they are very theory based and it is very easy to lose marks if your answer isn't what the marking scheme is looking for.
Better to stick to the more calculation based questions IMO.

07-06-2009 8:56am

rainbowtrout wrote: »

Last year the A option was Industrial Chem option, so this year it has to be the Environmental one.

Just for clarification rainbowtrout, does that only apply to ordinary level? Could it be one of either for higher level?

smndly · 07-06-2009 4:29pm

Does anyone know why HCl cannot be used to ensure acidic conditions for KMnO4?? Is it because it releases chlorine gas?

rainbowtrout · 07-06-2009 5:07pm

-JammyDodger- wrote: »

Just for clarification rainbowtrout, does that only apply to ordinary level? Could it be one of either for higher level?

Ya, that's Ordinary Level only. I think the Industrial and Environmental option is called 1A and 1B and the Electrochemistry/Molecules and Crystals one is called 2A and 2B (in the Chemistry syllabus).

In ordinary level you only need to study one option from Option 1 or one from Option 2 and they alternate which will be on the paper each year, one from each obviously, so as I said for the first option it will be Environmental this year and in the second option molecular structure was on last year's paper so it should be the Electrochemisty option this year.

In Higher Level when you are choosing an option you need to study both chapters eg 1 A and 1B and either one could come up. There is no pattern to it at HL either, the first three years of the new course 02 was Industrial and 03/04/05 was Environmental for the first option so when I had a class in 06 I took a gamble and just did Industrial for my 06 LC Class as it was due an appearance and it came up. Last two years it was Environmental again. I would expect Industrial is due an appearance this year.

I don't teach the other option so I can't comment on it, but if you have done it just flick back through the papers and have a look at the pattern.

rainbowtrout · 07-06-2009 5:10pm

smndly wrote: »

Does anyone know why HCl cannot be used to ensure acidic conditions for KMnO4?? Is it because it releases chlorine gas?

Yes correct but the technical answer (and they are quite technical with the chem marking scheme

) is that KMnO4 oxidises the chlorine ions (Cl-) to Cl2 gas. I don't remember the page :pac: but if you are working from Chemistry live its on the bottom right hand paragraph of Ch 15, Redox Reactions.

mikeglee · 07-06-2009 7:41pm

can anyone give some advice on wether to do ordinary or higher? Maybe point out the difference between both

rainbowtrout · 07-06-2009 7:44pm

mikeglee wrote: »

can anyone give some advice on wether to do ordinary or higher? Maybe point out the difference between both

I think first question there should be how have you been doing at HL over the past 2 years and do you need it for points/course requirement? How did you get on in the mocks?

mikeglee · 07-06-2009 7:46pm

rainbowtrout wrote: »

I think first question there should be how have you been doing at HL over the past 2 years and do you need it for points/course requirement? How did you get on in the mocks?

I have been doing higher for the last two years and its been a VERY rocky road. THE MOCKS = NOT GOOD

rainbowtrout · 07-06-2009 7:48pm

mikeglee wrote: »

I have been doing higher for the last two years and its been a VERY rocky road. THE MOCKS = NOT GOOD

What exactly is not good? >30%??? or more in the region of 15%.... Personally I would advise students getting below 30% to do OL in any subject (there are always exceptions of course).

Do you need it for points?

mikeglee · 07-06-2009 7:52pm

rainbowtrout wrote: »

What exactly is not good? >30%??? or more in the region of 15%.... Personally I would advise students getting below 30% to do OL in any subject (there are always exceptions of course).

Do you need it for points?

OK....i've made my decision!

rainbowtrout · 07-06-2009 7:58pm

mikeglee wrote: »

OK....i've made my decision!

I would just advise you to have a chat with your chemistry teacher during the week about your decision if you get the chance. Good luck

... and just as another point if you are doing OL, if you are working from Chemistry Live, anything with a red line margin is HL only

Chapters with a lot of OL information
Water
Rates of Reaction
Structure of Molecules/Periodic Table (ch 3,4,5)
Mole/Stoichiometry
Volumetric Analysis/Titrations... the only titrations on OL are acid/base ones, so make sure you know it.
Electrochemisty
Organic Chemistry - Ethene and Ethyne experiments come up nearly every year in some form or other, so make sure you know the chemicals used, the type of reaction it is and the tests for ethene/ethyne

Nimur90 · 07-06-2009 8:25pm

I have 5 days between art history and chemistry so for the last few months I neglected it hoping that I can bring myself to study it loads over that few days.

smndly · 07-06-2009 8:29pm

Last year wen i did the leaving i got a D1 in physics in the mocks which is a similar subject to chemistry. I then got an A1 in the Leaving. So if you hav put in the effort since ur mocks theres no reason you shudnt do higher. That said you know better than anyone else!! If your confident that your not going to fail, go for it! :pac:

mikeglee · 08-06-2009 10:09pm

HELP!!!! I'm trying to study but it's not working. All I see is a book covered in highlighter pen. It defeats the purpose of even having a highlighter!

movingsheepdip · 09-06-2009 5:45pm

mikeglee wrote: »

It's my worst subject and I'm trying my best to come to terms with the fact that the time is nearly here. Has anyone got any thoughts or comments about how they are getting on with study and preperation?
haha you looked

splashdown for chemistry: 14:00 hours next tuesday

09-06-2009 5:55pm

Thanks rainbowtrout.

Do you think it would be safe to leave out water? I'm good with everything on the course, really, but I just haven't covered water. My plan is to leave out pH and water, anyway. I'm not sure about the water titrations though, I suppose I'll have to cover them.

rainbowtrout · 09-06-2009 6:35pm

-JammyDodger- wrote: »

Thanks rainbowtrout.

Do you think it would be safe to leave out water? I'm good with everything on the course, really, but I just haven't covered water. My plan is to leave out pH and water, anyway. I'm not sure about the water titrations though, I suppose I'll have to cover them.

Well if you know everything else on the course, it wouldn't be the end of the world to leave it out, you would still have a good choice.

It would be a good idea to do the titrations, they haven't asked one since 2005. It also came up in 2004. Last year there was 1 and half questions on water in section B of the paper so I would imagine there won't be as much this year.

Q8: Ionic product and pH, water treatment
Q10: Suspended and dissolved solids, test for chlorine

That pretty much covered all of water theory so I can't see there being as much on this year. But I wouldn't rule out a titration.

Frolick · 09-06-2009 9:08pm

Come on Iron Table exp. and Production of ethyne exp.!
They came up that would be sweet and i think there due

fabgooner · 09-06-2009 9:36pm

smndly wrote: »

Does anyone know why HCl cannot be used to ensure acidic conditions for KMnO4?? Is it because it releases chlorine gas?

probably gets involved in the titration?

fabgooner · 09-06-2009 9:39pm

juat make sure you revise all the organic and water. guaranteed questions:D

mikeglee · 11-06-2009 6:10pm

fabgooner wrote: »

juat make sure you revise all the organic and water. guaranteed questions:D

what are the main differences between higher and ordinary?

Polarity · 12-06-2009 4:42pm

Ok, so Chromatography, Steam Distillation, Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar all came up in Section A last year. Does this mean it's safe to leave them out of my study??

I want to be able to do all 3 Q's in that section, so I'm planning to do all the other experiments.

Thanks and good luck!

Chemistry build up and aftermath

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