A Study Guide for Chemistry & Physics

The reason that these two courses are so difficult to master is that they require the student to become adept at problem solving. There are actually relatively few facts to memorize, however those facts that are taught must be interpreted to solve physical situations. To do well in chemistry or physics you must develop a method to analyze, decipher, and solve word problems. This is very difficult to do and can only be mastered with patience and diligent steady practice. You would not expect yourself to perform in any athletic event or in a concert without hours and hours of practice. So it is with problem solving. The following list may help you toward the goal of understanding the scientific process.

1. Do not miss class if possible. Your notes will be the only source of information you have and copying them from a classmate leaves out many of the things said. You may bring me a CD-R disk so that I can provide a copy of all notes given in class. These can be printed before coming to class to make note taking easier.

2. Turn assignments in on time! There is a 20 pt/day reduction on late assignments.

3. Take good notes and pay attention during class. Departure from this will result in you not being able to reconstruct the concepts of the day.

4. Avoid memorizing the solutions to problems done in class. You should rather try to comprehend why something was done instead of what was done. With practice you will know what to do.

5. Work out problems done in class at home that night while they are fresh in your mind. If you wait two weeks you will not be able to recall why something was done. Ask me the next day If you cannot do this at home. This could be in class or before school, but you must ask.

6. Complete the problem sheet for each chapter. Do not try to memorize the solutions. Work them out. Use the answer sheets only to help you when you become stuck. Ask questions! Remember that a large portion of the test is based on these problems.

7. Prepare early for the exam. Do not try to do all of these problems a few days before the test, this will only cause confusion. Learning how to do problems requires consistent steady practice.

8. Labs are performed to show and demonstrate the principles covered in class. Participate in the lab work and then try to do the calculations. Don’t just copy the answers from others in the class. Ask me for help--perhaps I can give you just the guidance you will need to finish the exercise. Normally, one of the questions on the chapter test comes from the lab calculations.

There are computer programs that can be used as drill and practice on most of the topics covered during the year. You may use these before and after school. I am available for questions at those times also.