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Gavin Walton
- October 16, 2024
If you’re taking Study.com Chemistry 101: General Chemistry, congrats! Get ready for a detailed exploration through the key that will open the simplest structure of the world we inhabit. If your aspiration is to become a scientist or if you are just dragged to class by an unpopular requirement, then this class will guide you through tutorials and lectures to understand the fundamentals of chemistry, atom structure, and thermodynamics.
But, don’t worry! Although you are likely to be overwhelmed by this material in the subject, it is very easy for students in this course to grasp these concepts. But if the approach is correct and if the timetable is well planned, then you will find yourself going through quizzes and being fully prepared for the final proctored exam. Moreover, since absolutely everything has been shifted online, you can address it at your convenience, which means that even if there is a great amount of content, you will not feel like you are into a battle trying to cover all of it. Well, let’s begin with the analysis of all the given information!
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What to Expect from Study.com Chemistry 101 Class📖
Let me inform you more comprehensively about what area of study you will be covering in study.com Chemistry 101: General Chemistry. This course takes you through the process of learning chemistry from the basics aspects such as metric conversion, to the advanced concepts such as chemical equilibrium, and thermal dynamics. Also, you will study both organic and inorganic chemistry which will make you touch everything ranging from the atoms and molecules to gases, liquids, as well as solids.
One of the things that will be expected is the fact that a number of areas of study such as stoichiometry, chemical reactions, and atomic theory will be expected in the final examination. These are concepts that are very central to predicting the behavior of chemical systems hence the expectation that many questions and problems will be based in these areas. The quizzes given in the course are in line with these lessons and will assist you in tracking how you are fairing throughout the course.
However, it will also give you a good idea of what the practical side of chemistry is like as well as touch on the theories. Chemical bonding, phase changes, and molecular geometry will for instance be very relevant topics to be included. Even those which might look like a summary of high school science do not skip them—these are the basics for further reaction analysis. Try to be more attentive to chapters like nuclear chemistry and thermodynamics as they may provide you with surprises which can be seen in the final exam.
Week-by-Week Study Plan to Ace Study.com Chemistry 101 Exam📝
So here you are, the week-by-week plan that you will follow in order to keep yourself in check and most importantly, get the best out of Study.com Chemistry 101: General Chemistry. In this way, all the main topics will be covered in portions with which you will depart by the exam and can feel calm and prepared.
Week 1: Get the Basics Down
- Focus on Chapters 1 & 2: Experimental Chemistry and Introduction to Matter and Atoms.
- Review key topics like the metric system, unit conversions, and atomic theory.
- Spend time understanding how to balance chemical equations and work with atomic numbers and masses.
- External Resource: Check out CrashCourse Chemistry for a fun, easy-to-follow explanation of the basics.
Week 2: Dive into the Periodic Table and Chemical Bonding
- Study Chapters 3 & 5: The Periodic Table and Chemical Bonding.
- Learn about periodic trends, electronegativity, and types of chemical bonds like ionic and covalent bonds.
- Tip: Pay extra attention to Lewis structures and the octet rule; these are key exam topics.
- External Resource: Watch this Periodic Table Overview to get a clear picture of periodic table trends.
Week 3: Master States of Matter & Solutions
- Focus on Chapters 6 & 8: Liquids and Solids and Solutions.
- Study phase changes, heating curves, solubility curves, and how to calculate molarity and molality.
- Pro Tip: Raoult’s Law and colligative properties can be tricky, so revisit those if they don’t click right away.
- External Resource: This Solution Chemistry Playlist will help you master the concepts.
Week 4: Chemical Reactions & Stoichiometry
- Study Chapters 9 & 10: Stoichiometry and Chemical Reactions.
- Dive deep into balancing equations, limiting reactants, and percent yields.
- Practice with mole-to-mass and mass-to-mass conversion problems.
- External Resource: Try Khan Academy’s Stoichiometry Playlist for more practice problems.
Week 5: Equilibrium and Kinetics
- Review Chapters 11 & 12: Equilibrium and Kinetics.
- Focus on Le Chatelier’s Principle, equilibrium constants, and reaction rates.
- External Resource: Tyler DeWitt’s Kinetics Videos are perfect for understanding reaction rates and the factors that affect them.
Week 6: Thermodynamics and Final Review
- Study Chapters 13 & 14: Thermodynamics and Study Guide Flashcards.
- Focus on Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, entropy, and the spontaneity of reactions.
- Review the flashcards in Chapter 14 to consolidate key concepts.
- Pro Tip: Use online flashcard tools like Quizlet to review terms and definitions.
Week 7: Practice, Practice, Practice
- Spend this week doing practice exams and reviewing any weak areas.
- Revisit the external resources linked earlier if you need help with any particular topic.
- Focus on taking mock exams using Study.com’s quizzes and practice tests.
Having divided your study into weekly portions, you shall not only remain organized but also quite certain that you comprehend each concept that you are learning fully before you proceed to the next thing, without being pressured. The only thing to bear in mind is that it needs to be gradual!
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Free External Resources to Study📂
Every now and then you may require further clarification beyond the content of your course and fortunately for you, there are a number of online resources that can make these complex concepts more manageable. Here are some excellent tools to supplement your learning:
Khan Academy
- Website: Khan Academy Chemistry
- This is a good free source where you can find very elaborate lessons on almost all the chemistry topics you may come across in this course such as stoichiometry, thermodynamics, and equilibrium.
CrashCourse Chemistry (YouTube)
- YouTube Channel: CrashCourse Chemistry Playlist
- If you fancy quick and entertaining videos with a hint of humor then CrashCourse is here for you. They offer easy-to-understand videos on most of the big areas in chemistry from atomic structure to gas laws.
Tyler DeWitt (YouTube)
- YouTube Channel: Tyler DeWitt Chemistry Videos
- Tyler DeWitt has a way of explaining challenging concepts in Chemistry with such mastery and simplicity. His series on kinetics, thermodynamics, and chemical equilibrium will enable you to revise what you’ve learned in Study.com Chemistry 101.
Periodic Videos (YouTube)
- YouTube Channel: Periodic Videos
- If you’re more fascinated by classroom-like chemistry then this YouTube channel is full of videos of chemical reactions and cool experiments with elements of the periodic table.
With these free resources, it will be possible to brush up on what was learned, resolve any matters that may have been murky, and prepare for the final exam.
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Key Topics to Focus On 🔑
To assist you with making your study for the Study.com Chemistry 101: General Chemistry final exam very effective and contended, let me explain in detail four important concepts we have learned. Grasping these issues will get you ready to answer any question that may be set to you in the exam.
- Stoichiometry vs. Limiting Reactants
Stoichiometry is one of the first principles that are strapped into the mind of a chemist student – it is about the balance of quantities. However, real-life reactions are normally characterized by the limiting reactants that put a measure on the quantity of product that can be formed. I remember this concept relating to reaction yields; therefore, one must understand how to compute both.
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Concept
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Stoichiometry
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Limiting Reactant
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Definition
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Study of the quantities of reactants and products in a chemical reaction.
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Reactant that is entirely consumed first, limiting the amount of product.
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Formula Use
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Use mole ratios from balanced equations to calculate moles, mass, or volume.
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Use the stoichiometric ratio to compare how much of each reactant is needed.
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Real-World Example
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Making cookies: Flour and sugar are reactants. If you run out of flour first, sugar becomes useless.
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Flour is the limiting reactant in this case; it stops the reaction (cookie-making) when it runs out.
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Key Formula
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Mass A → Moles A → Moles B → Mass B
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Compare reactants and identify which limits product formation.
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- Le Chatelier’s Principle
The Le Chatelier’s Principle assists in anticipating the effect of a change on a chemical reaction and the consequent response of equilibrium. The yield of this reaction can be controlled through varying concentration, temperature, and pressure; they either shift the reaction to one side or the other.
Example: Let’s say you have a system at equilibrium and you suddenly add more reactants (think of cramming more people into a room). According to Le Chatelier, the reaction will shift towards the products to accommodate the new “crowd.” Conversely, removing a product (like opening a door to let people out) will cause the system to shift towards the products to fill the gap.
This concept is especially important in questions involving equilibrium calculations, pressure changes, and temperature shifts. Remember: systems always shift to oppose the change.
- Endothermic vs. Exothermic Reactions
Introducing energy in a reaction system is important for it determines the amount of heat that shall be absorbed or liberated by the system. Endothermic reactions are those reactions that require heat energy when working through the process while exothermic reactions are those in which you give out energy in the process.
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Feature
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Endothermic Reaction
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Exothermic Reaction
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Heat Flow
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Absorbs heat from the surroundings.
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Releases heat to the surroundings.
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Temperature
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The surroundings get colder.
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Surroundings get warmer.
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Example
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Melting ice (absorbs heat)
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Burning wood (releases heat)
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Key Formula
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ΔH > 0 (positive enthalpy change)
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ΔH < 0 (negative enthalpy change)
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Real-World Connection: Just like an ice pack gives out heat, (endothermic reaction), a hand warmer is a classic example of an exothermic reaction. Ice packs cool, by taking away heat, from the skin thus making you feel cold while hand warmers warm by giving off heat thus making you feel warm. This is another concept that is often tested in exams and therefore the student needs to be conversant with how to identify these reactions from heat changes.
- Acids vs. Bases (Arrhenius Definition)
The concepts of acids and bases are helpful when it comes to working with the pH scale and any reactions involving titrations. Arrhenius believed that acids raised the amount of ‘free hydrogen ions’ H+ in water and that bases raised ‘hydroxide ions’ OH- in water.
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Feature
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Acids
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Bases
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Definition
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Produce hydrogen ions (H+) in water.
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Produce hydroxide ions (OH-) in water.
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pH Range
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Less than 7 (acidic)
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Greater than 7 (basic)
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Examples
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Lemon juice (citric acid), vinegar (acetic acid)
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Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), ammonia
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Reactions
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React with metals to produce hydrogen gas.
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Neutralize acids, forming water and salt.
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Real-World Example: Remember how lemon juice tastes sour and soap feels slippery? Those are classic signs of acids and bases in everyday life. During the exam, you’ll need to apply this understanding to problems involving pH, titration, and neutralization reactions.
Bonus Tip: For complex topics like equilibrium constant (K) and reaction quotient (Q), remember:
- If Q < K, the reaction proceeds forward (to make more products).
- If Q > K, the reaction shifts backward (toward reactants). This concept is often tested, so make sure you can calculate and compare Q and K to predict reaction direction.
Focusing on these concepts will ensure you’re well-equipped for the final proctored exam. Practice with real-world examples, and you’ll breeze through the challenging questions!
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Study.com Chemistry 101 FAQ❓
- How hard is the Chemistry 101 final exam?
The exam covers a wide range of topics, but with consistent study and practice, it’s very manageable. Focus on key concepts like stoichiometry, chemical reactions, and thermodynamics to prepare.
- What should I focus on for the final exam?
Heavily tested areas include balancing chemical equations, atomic theory, and Gibbs free energy. Make sure to practice these thoroughly and review core topics like acids, bases, and equilibrium.
- How do the quizzes and final exams work?
There are quizzes after each lesson and, for all of them, you can try three times to get the highest score. The last test is taken in a classroom and contributes to the overall score of 200 out of 300 points for the given course.
- Is there any condition for taking this course?
Since there are no prerequisites, all people can begin this course with zero background knowledge of chemistry. The lessons are progressive starting from very basic levels thus being suitable for novices.
- What if I did not pass the final exam, can I take it again?
Of course, you can attempt the final exam up to two more times, providing that you wait 3 days between the attempts. Try to write all worksheets during this time; revisiting the difficult sections to strengthen them.
- How can I easily memorize the list that is found in the periodic table?
Instead of trying to learn all the elements in the periodic table try to learn the trends such as electronegativity and atomic size. These should be easily tested in the exam as compared to the first two points mentioned above.
- How long does it take to complete the course?
Spanning over a period of 6-8 weeks, the course is self-paced and it’s recommended that the students take the course in a structured timeline. This you can do by working harder and devoting more time in a week towards the goal you want to achieve.
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Conclusion📄
Completing Study.com Chemistry 101: General Chemistry is more than just passing an exam; it is about creating strong ground in chemistry for further study or even use in your day-to-day activities. So, when you are well prepared, sticking to the plan and utilizing the outside sources you then realize that even the most complex problems are far more comprehensible than they were before. Often, I said that it is crucial to stay consistent and repeat the materials, given in the course; so, here is a friendly reminder: Please do not forget to use the quizzes and the special flashcards, emphasized in the course. Not yet, but you will soon I’m sure and then when the day for that dreadful exam comes, you shall pass with flying colors!
