Chemistry Everything You Need to Know

Chemistry Everything You Need to Know You'll Find All Things Chemistry Right Here ChaptersThe Basic Concepts of ChemistrySome Key Chemistry TermsWhat You’ll Need in Your Chemistry KitThe Most Important Chemists EverWho Discovered What in Chemistry?Chemistry Facts to Blow Your MindChemistry is a subject whose workings you see all around you. Just think for a little moment and you can be sure that each thing you consider â€" natural or artificial â€" functions or exists because of the discoveries we’ve made in this science. Lightbulbs? That’s chemistry. Refuelling a car? Chemistry. Frying eggs? Whilst cooking you’re literally watching chemical reactions in action.Really, it’s hard to exaggerate the role that chemistry plays in our lives. Particularly as we ourselves are made up of the atoms and molecules that we study in the discipline. All of biology is too, and there is only one subject to thank for the way we breathe, see, move, and eat.So, if you’re sat in your chemistry course at school thinking about how much you hate the subject, about how much yo u can’t be bothered, about how boring or pointless it is â€" remember that there’s nothing more fundamental to the world than the things you’ll be studying there. Chemistry is anything but pointless.To prove this, we’ve taken the most interesting things from the world of chemistry out of the textbook. We’ve developed an introduction to chemistry that is not all functional groups, atomic structure, and acids and bases. Whilst high school chemistry might not be, we’re out to show you that chemistry in the real world is fun. PetarChemistry Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamChemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Dr parikhChemistry Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SaifChemistry Teacher 5.00 (14) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConorChemistry Teacher 4.75 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FrankChemistry Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free! Discover all our tutors HeavenliChemistry Teacher £11/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JideChemistry Teacher 4.80 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Basic Concepts of ChemistryLet’s take a quick run through some of the most important ideas in general chemistry that you will need to grasp â€" the sort of stuff that any scientist will take for granted. Where do we start? You guessed it: the periodic table of the elements.The Periodic TableOf course, you have seen this in every laboratory or chemistry class into which you’ve ever been. No department of chemistry is complete without one.  But what’s it for?You’ve heard of elements, right? The pure substances that we refer to with names such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, potassium. These are substances that can’t be reduced to anything different â€" and these are the things shown on the periodic table.The table is arranged in order of the reactivity of each element, from the least reactive to the most , and in order of the atomic number of each.Remember this one, as you’ll see it everywhere.Mendeleev's Periodic Table - all the elements of chemistry!Chemical ReactionsBut the bread and butter of physical chemistry is the chemical reaction. This is the name for what happens when you burn toast, when you breathe, when you light a fire â€" when you do pretty much anything. This is really what you study in class.We know that everything around us is made up relations between one type of molecule or atom and other different types, often formed together with bonds (here the pure molecules form compounds). However, these molecular relationships are never stable, as they change when heat or another particular substance might be present.When these change â€" and when the molecules, or the ions or electrons that make up these molecules, are rearranged â€" this is what we mean by a chemical reaction.Acids and BasesWe’ve all surely come across acids and bases before. Some of us probably use acids most days â€" as things like lemons and vinegar are acidic.Bases may well be less familiar. But if you’ve ever washed your hands with soap, or used bleach to clean the sink, you’ll have come into contact with a base (these are often known as alkali).The theory goes that, in chemical reactions, acids release a proton to the reactant, whilst bases steal them. Believe it or not, this seemingly straightforward process is the main reason behind the difference.If you want more detail about any of these ideas, check out our article on the most important concepts in chemistry!The citric acid from lemons is a common acid - chemistry you eat all the time!Some Key Chemistry TermsBut as you will know, as a chemistry student, the subject is full of theoretical and analytical terms that you just need to sit down and learn. If you want to be a successful chemist, you’ve just got to do it â€" and we all know that this can be one of the least interesting parts of learning anything!So, d o you know what a polymer is, or a hydrocarbon? Do you know the difference between a covalent bond and an ionic bond? Any idea what a catalyst or a chemical product might be? or what oxidation, distillation, or titration might mean?We’ve put together a glossary of essential chemistry terminology in an article that outlines crucial terms in your chemistry syllabus. If you’re thinking about chemical structure, about states of matter, or you are starting on your first chemistry experiments.Look for some  chemistry tuition  on Superprof now. PetarChemistry Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamChemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Dr parikhChemistry Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SaifChemistry Teacher 5.00 (14) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConorChemistry Teacher 4.75 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FrankChemistry Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st less on free!Discover all our tutors HeavenliChemistry Teacher £11/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JideChemistry Teacher 4.80 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat You’ll Need in Your Chemistry KitTalking of performing an experiment, you’ll be able to do a whole lot of nothing without the correct equipment. You’ve probably wondered at some point why precisely your chemistry department is so full to the brim with stuff that you’ve never seen outside the chemistry lab. The answer to this is that you need all sorts of tools to perform a chemical experiment effectively and â€" crucially â€" safely.The basic chemistry gadget is the Bunsen burner, a gas pipe that produces a very hot, clean, and clear flame. Heat often induces the chemical change or physical change that you will be observing and analysing, so the Bunsen burner has become the primary tool of modern chemistry.But to study any chemical processes with this, it is likely that you will require test tubes, a flask, pipettes, and burettes â€" and certainly goggles and gloves to ensure you don’t hurt yourself.And to understand the composition of the substance with which you are working, some tools will help you reach an explanation: Litmus paper, a thermometer, and a molecular model.Check out the full list of chemistry equipment in our dedicated article on the topic!The Most Important Chemists EverIf we were to say Lavoisier, Dalton, or Berzelius, would you know what we were talking about? How about Mendeleev or Nobel? Would Linus Pauling ring any bells?All these people have something in common: they are some of the most important chemists ever to have lived!Have you ever thought about who discovered the chemical elements? or how all these strange theories of chemical properties or chemical analysis ended up in your textbooks? Well, you have these people to thank (or blame!).Since the eighteenth century, people have been busy thinking, writing, and experimenting, so to understa nd what on earth actually happens when you heat up gases, or what those chemical bonds might actually be like. Your chemistry textbook didn’t just fall from the sky full of knowledge. People worked to develop these ideas, and their contribution to science has been astounding.Use the link here to check out who these people were, and who the most significant chemists of all time have been.Who Discovered What in Chemistry?As we said above, everything around us is chemistry, from medicines to the stuff we use to grow foods. But it’s worth repeating: everything you touch is the result of a chemical process. Take the screen on which you are reading this as an example. What is it made of? How does it show these words that you are reading now? How can it have ended up being so small â€" when we think of the huge television screens we had only a decade or so ago?The mobile phone and laptop are both inventions made possible by chemistry. This isn't something people often recognise!These a re questions of chemistry, and this thing you are looking at is made of chemical compounds that are the result of dedicated experimentation. You can thank a man called George Gray for the invention of this particular technology. His chemistry research has changed not only how we read information, but how we talk to our friends and family, how we buy things, and how we work. None of this would have been possible without Gray’s screen, which allowed us to put our computers in our pockets!From the radioactive elements that treat cancer to the malleable plastic in which we wrap everything â€" you’ll find details on the some of the most life-changing scientists and their chemical discoveries in our article here.Chemistry Facts to Blow Your MindTo top it off, we have compiled a little list of some of the most amazing facts about chemistry.Chemistry is so much more than the lecture that your teacher gives you in class, so much more than the equation and notation you have to practise fo r homework.So, you probably won’t be too surprised to hear right now that things like Coca-Cola and fireworks are chemistry inventions (and their stories are quite amazing!).But, on the other hand, you might not know that the chemical elements in your body are worth only about sixty pence â€" or that just the carbon in your body can make almost ten thousand pencils!From bees and wasps, to water, chess, and glass, chemistry comes up in some really surprising places.

Should I Double Major in College

Should I Double Major in College Declaring a college major can feel like a truly intimidating and sometimes overwhelming decision. These tips can hlep you with picking your major early in college.For a student who is considering a double major, it can seem even more so. If this describes you, there are several things you should take into account prior to making your decision. Why do you wish to have a double major? It is critical to reflect on the reasons you are contemplating double majoring in college. You should evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of both choices. Some people choose to double major because they cannot decide on just one area of study. Others would like the opportunity to network with more students and faculty members. Others might feel that a double major will give them a leading edge with respect to finding employment after graduation. These are all valid reasons to pursue a double major, but before choosing to do so, conduct a bit of research. Speak with students who are double majors, as well as academic resources like professors and tutors. If, for instance, your reason is that you feel you would gain a competitive advantage when searching for a job, you should examine this point further. You should know what employers in your field of interest are looking for in terms of employment qualifications and preferences. If you are able, speak with someone in the associated field and ask what he or she looks for in an employee. Inquire if he or she views a double major as an asset. Pursuing a double major may be an ideal way to explore different fields or come into contact with more people. It is possible, however, that studying one major and one minor would be just as beneficial as double majoring. Can you afford, both financially and academically, to double major? Double majoring places additional academic stress on a student because it implies more coursework. As a result of the heavy workload associated with a double major, some students grades drop. Before deciding to double major, consider your status as a student. Ask yourself if you can handle the additional rigor that will be imposed on you if you choose to double major. Due to the added coursework, students who double major sometimes take longer to complete their undergraduate degrees. Ponder your finances; are you able to afford additional time in college? Will your financial aidcover this extra time?Make sure to investigate these points prior to committing to a double major. This way, you will feel more secure about both your decision and your ability to complete your degree as you move forward. Logistically, what will a double major consist of for you? It is vital to plan ahead and manage your time well if you hope to double major. Find time to meet with your adviser to discuss your options, as well as the logistics of such an undertaking. You might want to create a long-term plan that outlines the requirements for both majors and during which semesters you will complete them. Take into account factors like pre-requisites and sequencing issues. While students with a single major may benefit from some scheduling flexibility, those who are double majoring likely will not. If you choose to pursue a double major, it will be necessary to make a long-term plan and adhere to it. Consult an adviser before making any adjustments to your schedule. You may also want to consider designing your own major. Ultimately, the decision to double major rests upon you as a student. It depends on what will work best for you in both your academic life and your future career. Like any crucial decision, you should deliberate and conduct research beforehand to see if it is the appropriate choice for you. However, it is important that you be content with your decision, whatever it may be.

GCSE Exam Reforms

GCSE Exam Reforms GCSE Exam Reforms 2016 As you’ll no doubt have heard, GCSEs are in the process being overhauled by  the Department for Education and Ofqual. High on the hit list are GCSE English and GCSE Maths, which means that  these are the first subjects where students will be examined on the new  course content and via the new exam structure. These changes will affect any  student not already in Year 11 as of September 2015, whether they are 4 or  14 (as well as their tutors!) Here’s a quick summary of the changes: - No more modules. All GCSEs are now linear, meaning they will be  examined in the summer of Year 11 only. - No higher/lower tier papers (excluding Maths and Modern Foreign  Languages): all students sit the same paper. - No coursework for nearly all subjects â€" exams only! - No resits allowed, other than one reattempt at Maths and English  Language in the November following the original exam. - Grades A* - U replaced by numbers 9 â€" 1, where 9 is the highest  possible score. Current GCSE grade C will be replaced by numbers 4  and 5, with 5 being more demanding than the existing C grade. - New, more rigorous content for all courses. - No more GCSE English: now it’s either GCSE English Language,  GCSE English Literature, or both. All other subjects will be similarly overhauled ready for teaching in September  2016 and examination in summer 2018. The idea behind these reforms is to sure up the GCSE system, creating  results that employers and universities can trust, and that put the UK in line  with other top-performing countries on the global education spectrum, such as  Finland, Japan and Singapore. This could be great news for our economy, but  is it good news for our students? The answer is: yes, as long as they are prepared! And that’s where our GCSE maths tutors, and GCSE English tutors (both GCSE English language tutors and GCSE English literature tutors)  come in. Our tutors have a wealth of experience in helping students achieve  their best in exams, and this isn’t going to change with the new GCSE system. So how can you prepare for these GCSE exam reforms? - Teach or study English or Maths? View our GCSE Reform breakdown  to make sure you are aware of the new specifications for your subject. - Teach or study other GCSE subjects? Keep an eye out for our follow-up emails, as we’ll be letting you know about future changes in time for  teaching in September 2016. - Look at the relevant exam board websites: there are lots of free  resources and guidelines, as well as example exam papers and mark. - Take a look at our resource centre, full of helpful lesson materials. Keep an eye out for our next email on the changes to primary school  education and assessment! Still have questions? Get in touch with us at support@tutorfair.com Written by Emma H (English teacher) Related article: Primary School Assessment Changes

What is the North London Girls Schools Consortium

What is the North London Girls' Schools' Consortium What is the North London Girls' Schools' Consortium? When the time comes to move schools, it is not uncommon for students to apply to a more than one at a time. Girls aged 11 who are applying to private schools in London are usually advised to spread their bets by applying to a few. In an attempt to reduce the number of exhausting, and potentially stressful, exams each has to sit, a number of London girls schools have decided to work together. The Consortium is split into two groups (listed below). A girl will only have to sit one exam for the all schools she has applied to in that group. She is then allowed to sit that exam at any of the schools in the group, so long as it’s one that she has applied to. Since the  exam paper is shared with all of her schools, they use the same mark scheme, and it doesn’t make a difference which school  she chooses to sit at. Usually, her prep school will help her decide,  but parents may also choose  and contact the  relevant school for more details. If a girl applies to schools in both groups, she will  have to sit two exams. Group 1:  Francis Holland, Heathfield School, St. Helen’s  School,  Notting Hill and Ealing High School,  South Hampstead High School,  The Royal School, Hampstead,  Queen’s College. Group 2:  Channing School,  City of London School for Girls,  Godolphin and Latymer School,  St. James Independent School,  More House,  Northwood College,  Queen’s Gate School. There are also three schools not in a group who have separate exams and  should be contacted directly. These are:  Haberdashers’ Aske’s Girls School,  North London Collegiate School and St. Paul’s Girls School. Girls are still expected to contact the schools they want to apply for, as they each have their own entrance processes and open days. It should be noted that it's a good idea to do school visits as early as possible. Some schools will even allow girls to visit a year early so that they have plenty of time decide. Most good prep schools will have a large amount of experience in helping girls through this process. However, if you are applying from a state school or outside the UK it is a good idea to call or email the relevant admissions departments for advice on how best to proceed. They are usually very helpful, and will be aware that most girls will be applying to a few schools, so can advise you on that, too. Below is a list of links to past papers. These papers are very well laid out and often involve some excellent, inventive, questions. Many tutors will use these exams with students  who are 10 - 12 years old as they can be a great way to stretch students. Just make sure that they're given adequate support whilst doing them and that they should understand that even top girls usually won’t be able to answer them all in the time given. Past Papers: English 2012    Maths 2012 English 2013    Maths 2013 English 2014    Maths 2014 English 2015    Maths 2015 Looking for extra admissions support? Search  Tutorfair and take a look at our fantastic selection of Admissions tutors. We also have  experienced 11 plus tutors.

Santa Ana Tutoring Tips Skip a Year of College in Only 3 Steps!

Santa Ana Tutoring Tips Skip a Year of College in Only 3 Steps! Skip a Year of College in Only 3 Steps! Skip a Year of College in Only 3 Steps! Completing a college degree can be a long and daunting task.   The road ahead can seem overwhelming, and the prospect of successfully finishing can feel distant.   This is especially true when you are first starting college: you have a whole host of requirements in front of you, and you have yet to finish any of them.   Taking all of your required classes and gathering enough credits to earn your degree takes years, even if you plan ahead well.   It can take even longer if you can’t afford to be a full-time student or make mistakes when planning your complex schedule (book your private Santa Ana CLEP tutor today). Luckily, there are options for you to earn a degree more quickly while also helping guarantee that you follow through with the program and successfully work around a tight schedule.   We are going to accomplish this by attempting to skip an entire year of college using planning, studying, and the help of an outside expert. Here are the three steps to skipping your first year of college: Look Up Your School’s CLEP Policies This plan is going to hinge on a specific set of standardized exams: the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams.   You are going to be taking CLEP exams in specific areas to earn credit in college.   You can think of this as similar to Advanced Placement (AP) exams from high school that could earn you credit in college based on your score.   In fact, CLEP and AP are both made by the same company, the College Board.   Some important differences between the two are that CLEP exams tend to be much easier to pass, there are more subjects in CLEP than AP, CLEP can be taken after you have left high school, and CLEP is primarily accepted at community colleges rather than four-year schools. CLEP is not exclusive to community colleges.   There are several notable online colleges that accept CLEP credits on route to a bachelor’s degree (e.g., Kaplan University, DeVry, Grand Canyon, Thomas Edison, University of Phoenix, etc.), and there are many traditional university’s that accept CLEP as well (such as Texas AM, Universities of Arizona, Kentucky, Florida, and many more).   You can also work towards a transfer degree at a community college using CLEP before transferring to a university. Whether you are planning for an associate’s degree at a community college or higher, the key is to look into what school you are planning to go to and finding their CLEP policies.   For example, we’ll look at Santa Ana College in southern California. Santa Ana College’s CLEP policies can be found here.   Note that you can see what CLEP exams they give credit for, how much credit they give for each, and which can be transferred to a California State University.   You can also find if the school has a maximum amount of CLEP credits allowed, or if they allow CLEP credit to pass certain graduation requirements.   This list will be similar for many community colleges, but it is vital that you find the information before you start making any CLEP plans.   Now we can proceed to step 2. Find a Tutor and Choose Your Exams The next step is to find an experienced CLEP tutor to help you choose which exams to take, plan, and study for them, take practice tests, and ultimately pass your exams and earn credit.   Of course, you can take these actions on your own.   However, an experienced tutor will greatly increase your odds of finding success.   It will also reduce the stress and research time that you will need to do, it will optimize your studying, and it will hold you accountable to keep making progress and follow through with your goals.   Online tutors can also be very effective options in CLEP preparation. The tutor can also help evaluate your current knowledge and help you choose which tests are best for you.   They can ask questions about your previous class experiences and grades, what subjects you feel most and least comfortable with, and give you diagnostic tests to see where you are in different areas.   Often, a student has enough prior knowledge to pass at least one CLEP exam with minimal to no extra preparation needed.   Other tests will need more studying, but you will be surprised at how much you might already know for these tests. Using our example of Santa Ana College, your tutor might find that you were very good at English classes, had a very hard time with math, completed four years of Spanish, and did well; were okay at social studies classes and are overall pretty good at memorizing things.   This is a lengthy list, but are just examples of some information your tutor could find. They would look at Santa Ana requirements and credits and might recommend these tests for you: Principles of Management Principles of Marketing American Literature Analyzing and Interpreting Literature English Literature Spanish Level 1 US History 1 Introductory Sociology Introductory Psychology Introductory Educational Psychology In total, these exams would earn you 33 college credits at Santa Ana College.   This is the equivalent to more than a year of full-time schooling.   Unfortunately, Santa Ana does no give credits for some of the college composition classes, nor do they give credit for math below algebra.   While some of these exams may seem too new and difficult to take without a class (such as marketing and management), you would be surprised at how well a tutor can prepare you to have enough information to pass these tests in only a few short weeks. You may also notice that we can achieve this goal even without science and math tests.   If you are good at these subjects, it may open up even more credit possibilities.   The tutor will help you come up with this list, and plan a study and exam schedule to knock out these tests as quickly and efficiently as possible.   You can take more than one test at a time at exam centers, so it is often good to study them in chunks.   You are also allowed to retake tests if you do not pass them on the first attempt, though a good tutor will often confirm your likelihood of passing with practice tests first. Take Exams and Submit Credit Applications The last step is the simplest.   After working with your tutor to make a list and a schedule, the final task is to take your exams and submit your scores to your school to receive your college credit.   It is always good to talk with a school counselor first to make sure the process goes smoothly ahead of time, and to confirm what you learned from your research into their CLEP policies.   After this is done, you will be able to start college with enough to skip up to an entire year of school, and you will be able to focus more on your major and choose your classes with more freedom. Book your Santa Ana CLEP tutor today! Michael C. is currently a private math, science, and standardized test tutor with TutorNerds in Irvine and Anaheim. All blog entries, except for guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

New Jobs Hotlist - July 10, 2014

New Jobs Hotlist - July 10, 2014 Here is our pick of our newest international teaching jobs around the word this week.Elementary Teacher, Jakarta, IndonesiaA private international school in the bustling city of Jakarta is looking for an enthusiastic elementary teacher, with experience teaching the Cambridge or IB curriculum, and shares the school’s strong community values. Certified teachers can apply here.English Curriculum Specialist, New Delhi, IndiaAn exciting opportunity to be a part of an innovative educational team, compiling materials and providing guidance to transform English language instruction across India. Educators with prior experience in curriculum development can apply for this great opportunity overseas.ESL Instructor, Various cities, RussiaTeach English to children and adults at a top language college, with locations in Moscow, St. Petersburg and more. Must have 1 year of teaching experience - TEFL training will be provided for teachers without a certification. ESL teachers, apply now!Female Pe rsonal Development Instructors, Abu Dhabi, UAEAbu Dhabi’s largest vocational college is hiring experienced, ex-military to instruct their military training and inspire student achievement. Apply now  to teach in this vocational institute.

Gadgets For The Graduate

Gadgets For The Graduate Photo via http://www.aepona.com Life seems to fly by when youre having fun and college provides you with some of the best years of your life. The freedom to be who you want, discovering awesome people and the social life are just a few examples of why. Of course not every part of college is carefree bliss; you encounter all-nighters for a test, break-ups with your significant other and countless hours drinking ridiculous amounts of caffeine wishing your notes would magically sync to your brain. But somehow you get through all of it and turn up on the other side, degree in hand and smiles all around. For a brief moment you are elated to be done with school, but then you realize that the end of this chapter means the beginning of a new one, and no matter if you know what job or graduate school youre going to or not, that in itself can be frightening. However, graduating is also a time to de-clutter and simplify your gadget life, upgrade your technology and prepare yourself for success. Did you know that a recent Intel survey provided by TNS found that younger Americans (aged 18-34) are the nations creative class? Did you also know that approximately 81 percent of those young Americans wished they could do more with their devices, such a creating art, music, producing photo and video montages and easy content sharing? This shouldnt be surprising with the growing technological field and the continuous advancements it is making. The following gadgets, found in Intels press release, would be fantastic for those of you who are graduating seniors looking to simplify and update your tech-savvy side. If you are always on the go, a tablet would be a great gadget to own. Promising all-day battery life, Intel-powered tablets have fast browsing, responsive apps and smooth downloads, giving you in-palm access to the Internet to enjoy entertainment or be productive. It also makes multitasking that much easier with editing photos, streaming videos, updating presentations and playing games. A couple of great options include the Acer Iconia A1830 and Toshiba Encore 8. You can stop worrying about the and/or decision when it comes to which new technology to purchase. Intel powered 2-in-1 devices offer the mobility of a tablet and the power of a laptop all in one chic design. Being easy to use, all it requires is to simply detach, flip or slide in a 2-in-1 device to go from work to play in no time. You can run full versions of almost any photo and video editing software, use popular programs, favorite media access, sync MP3 devices and libraries and so much more. Check out the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S or the ASUS Transformer Book T100 for the latest styles. Finally, if the old desktop computer youve had since freshman year just is not going to work for you anymore, upgrade to a portable all-in-one PC such as HP ENVY Rove or Dell XPS 18. These portable all-in-one PCs provide performance of a full PC with tablet capabilities, and offer a clutter-free and touch-responsive design. These Intel-powered devices are perfect for getting work done and also are the social hub for game nights, and sharing pictures and videos. With Intel being a world leader in computing innovation, you should definitely check out Intels site for more technology devices that will fit with your next chapter perfectly.