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InvisibleRazzldazzle

Registered: 05/27/13
Posts: 87
Learning Chemistry
    #20777878 - 10/31/14 05:23 PM (9 years, 2 months ago)

Hey guys I am about to start college in a couple months for chemistry and I'm using these few months before school starts to start learning chemistry on my own. So far its going good. I recently got to moles and significant figures but both subjects are just wrecking me. Any Chem wizzes here who know any tips to learn moles and significant figures? Thanks guys.


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OfflineThebooedocksaint
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Registered: 05/10/09
Posts: 281
Last seen: 4 years, 1 month
Re: Learning Chemistry [Re: Razzldazzle]
    #20778886 - 10/31/14 10:54 PM (9 years, 2 months ago)

I mean you just get used to it? Truth be told I just count sig figs in my measurements and then get the same number at the end, I'm usually only multiplying/dividing though so you will have to get used to all of it.

Addition/Subtraction keep lowest number of decimals, multiplication and division keep the same total number of significant figures. 0's after the decimal place show you're more accurate, thus significant. 0's before a decimal point, with no decimal point, aren't necessarily significant and refer to your course instructor how they will be notating that. Getting used to deca/centi/milli/micro/nano/pico/femto will be si prefix's important in physics and chemistry. Getting used to scientific notation helps too, and being comfortable with the algebra of addition/subtraction/multiplication/division involving powers of 10 is a worthwhile skill in this regard.

I'm confused about the mole question, just realize it's a certain number of molecules of a chemical. Using the appropriate labels for calculations is important, say you need to know how many moles you have, well moles/(moles/g)=moles*g/moles=g. They can often give you an idea about what the thought behind what you're doing is. Understand mass/number of moles/volume conceptually.

Mind me asking your first semester course list? If you are only taking chem I I can't really remember where the courses cut off between. As a chemistry major pay attention to each chapter/section. These subjects are often either critical to all future courses, or is preparation for parts of other courses. Organic Nomenclature isn't difficult, and a lions share of organic chemistry is learning the language it uses. You'll never understand it if you don't know what you're reading about.

It's the same with the math and physics courses you will have to take too, but as you are taking a lot of these courses this is a bigger deal.

Also Chemistry or Chemical engineering major? After the first year their coursework diverges significantly, you will see one another in their chemistry electives for engineers and mostly the same physics and a lot of the same math.


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InvisibleRazzldazzle

Registered: 05/27/13
Posts: 87
Re: Learning Chemistry [Re: Thebooedocksaint]
    #20781538 - 11/01/14 08:11 PM (9 years, 2 months ago)

Yes I'm majoring in chemistry. Maybe go pharmacist later on. I understand the mole is a number of atoms like a dozen eggs is 12. The part I'm having a hard time with is the stoichiometry. I know its just conversions but sometimes I have to add moles and other stuff in the formula to convert it and I always have to look up the answer, not for the answer but for the correct formula to use. Thanks for the input its greatly appreciated!


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InvisibleRazzldazzle

Registered: 05/27/13
Posts: 87
Re: Learning Chemistry [Re: Razzldazzle]
    #20784482 - 11/02/14 03:11 PM (9 years, 2 months ago)

Also with the sig figs that I dont understand is - molecular weight of aspirin (C9H8O4) = 180.16. When C = 9(12.0107) H = 8(1.00794) O = 4(15.9994) You get  108.0963 (C) + 8.06352 (H) + 63.9976 (O) = 180.15742. Where in this problem do they get 5 sig figs to equal 180.16??? Im pretty sure that, according to the rules of sig figs it should be either 4 sig figs from the addition or 6 sig figs from the multiplication... Where do they get 5 from? Thanks guys in helping me understand this.


Edited by Razzldazzle (11/02/14 03:13 PM)


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OfflineAizen
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Registered: 10/01/14
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Loc: Portland, OR
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Re: Learning Chemistry [Re: Razzldazzle]
    #20787982 - 11/03/14 12:45 PM (9 years, 2 months ago)

significant figures usually refers to the level of accuracy that can be meaningfully measured. Maybe the molecular mass of the more complex (and heavier) molecule can't be measured to as great a detail as the individual constituents.


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OfflineThebooedocksaint
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Registered: 05/10/09
Posts: 281
Last seen: 4 years, 1 month
Re: Learning Chemistry [Re: Razzldazzle] * 1
    #20789586 - 11/03/14 06:53 PM (9 years, 2 months ago)

A fair question! There are a number of possible factors. But here is the part to take home, these molecular weights of individual elements are averages of the molar weights of the different isotopes of those elements and their abundance. These numbers, like other "constants" only need to be as accurate as other measurements you make (the rule of thumb is to keep 1-2 more significant figures than the accuracy of measurements you are making).

5 significant figures is really quite a large number, beyond there errors in measurements will often change your results more than the displayed molecular weight.

With stoichiometry I would advise just conceptually understanding what you are doing.

2 H2 + O2 <-> 2 H2O

Let's make the assumption that 100% of reactant is made into product. One may observe that for every mole of H2O formed one mole of H2 and on half mole of O2 is consumed. By remembering that and by using the prior techniques of keeping track of units you will be fine. The homework will help you, I promise. It's like learning algebra (literally), practice makes perfect.

Feel free to ask more questions, I have a pretty busy week though. Don't be surprised if I don't check it out until this weekend, but I understand this can be fairly confusing. Consider it sage advice.

A comment worth making: undergraduate chemistry degree's are going to get you at about 30k a year, continuing education is necessary if you are the type who wants a high paying job. If you want to now is the best time to decide a dual major if you wish. A chemical engineering, physics, or math dual degree is very achievable. Sometimes there are elective portions of the degrees that won't add together in your favor unless you plan it out from the first year.

If you're going to be working during your time on campus I advise you to still buckle down on your grades. If you get good grades chemistry tutors are generally in short supply, it doesn't pay amazing but if you do it will keep you used to the basics and get you a job that won't suck as much as my horrible food industry job.


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InvisibleRazzldazzle

Registered: 05/27/13
Posts: 87
Re: Learning Chemistry [Re: Thebooedocksaint]
    #20791938 - 11/04/14 11:16 AM (9 years, 2 months ago)

Hmm 30k / year is definitely a bummer :frown: Are there any jobs in chemistry for a decent paying job? Pharmacists make decent money and its alot of chemistry with some biology and physiology mixed in. What about biochemistry? Thanks!


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OfflineThebooedocksaint
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Registered: 05/10/09
Posts: 281
Last seen: 4 years, 1 month
Re: Learning Chemistry [Re: Razzldazzle]
    #20792547 - 11/04/14 02:02 PM (9 years, 2 months ago)

I don't know for undergrad in those other fields, with chemistry, despite the low rate of chemistry graduates, the field is rather saturated. That's why better positions go to people with generally higher education. I hate to say this, but even though you learn a lot in undergrad you aren't that much of an expert. Having A's in Organic I and II doesn't make me an expert, it merely makes me a step above a layperson TBH.

Biochemistry is fun if you like biology, I enjoyed my courses. Biochem/Chem dual major are very possible. For me, as someone who didn't like biology, it made a lot of things make more sense. Learning about the bodies metabolism is really kind of fun, to me, and was enlightening.

If you keep good grades in college just try to chase grants and scholarships and do grad school if you can. My reason for going into chemistry education is very much a personal reason, and my desire to move home from college for those reasons is why my grad school plans aren't exactly concrete.

I mean frankly unless you live somewhere shitty (read: the city) 30k a year is pretty damn good. People are to obsessed with huge houses and tons of luxuries. Living and being healthy, and not in debt, is all I need to be happy.


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Offlineh4dr0n
Registered: 05/16/12
Posts: 71
Last seen: 3 years, 2 months
Re: Learning Chemistry [Re: Razzldazzle]
    #20799010 - 11/05/14 09:06 PM (9 years, 2 months ago)

Something that really helped me was the Khan Academy website.
Especially if you just need a refresher.
very easy way to learn. i was breezing thru stoichiometry problems again in no time


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InvisibleRazzldazzle

Registered: 05/27/13
Posts: 87
Re: Learning Chemistry [Re: Thebooedocksaint] * 1
    #20799077 - 11/05/14 09:19 PM (9 years, 2 months ago)

I hear ya. I'll definitely be getting multiple degrees or going all the way in a field because I have 8 years of paid for college from da gubberment. Pharmacy school looks almost as competitive as say med school so I'm not sure if I'm about all that. I'll probably get my bs in chemistry and if I really like it, continue that major or just dual major. I need to go to some pharmacies and rap with them guys and try and get a feel for how hard and competitive pharmacy school would be


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OfflineThebooedocksaint
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Registered: 05/10/09
Posts: 281
Last seen: 4 years, 1 month
Re: Learning Chemistry [Re: Razzldazzle]
    #20799148 - 11/05/14 09:37 PM (9 years, 2 months ago)

It's pretty competitive, from what I understand, like medical school, out of need of understanding there is a lot of memorization. Dual Majoring in Biochem is really the easiest dual major you can do, if you get a jump on it you can get the few biology courses out of the way very early.

Chemistry graduate degrees are largely just the different disciplines of chemistry/biochemistry. Biochemistry grad courses tend to look at particular kinds of biochemicals (lipids, proteins, carbohydrates). It's one of the most wonderful majors in my opinion, it's the study of the things that make us up. That's what has always interested me, from being a kid, so this is more of a juvenile fantasy, despite all the work.

Do what resonates best with you, if you keep up good work and get into post undergraduate work you won't have to worry about the income you make. Even though professors don't have the highest incomes in the world, it can pay very well.


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OfflineBigJimSlade
Former Tight End
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Registered: 10/11/14
Posts: 10
Loc: Michigan
Last seen: 8 years, 5 months
Re: Learning Chemistry [Re: Razzldazzle]
    #21099041 - 01/10/15 09:06 PM (9 years, 19 days ago)

Good luck man!


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InvisibleThe Lightning
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Registered: 09/06/11
Posts: 3,889
Re: Learning Chemistry [Re: Razzldazzle]
    #21106067 - 01/12/15 06:45 AM (9 years, 18 days ago)

Join us at the following link to co-learn chemistry: http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/19336895/fpart/32#19336895


Some people are getting an error that prevents access. If that's you, PM Moderator Alan Rockefeller.


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