Studying and Thinking About Problems in General Chemistry

Studying and Thinking About Problems | Solving General Chemistry Problems

Saturday, April 2, 2016

5:35 PM

         To understand chemistry, you will have to work hundreds of problems.

         Improved study habits and problem solving skills come only w/ practice and w/ a determined effort spread over a long time.

Two main sources of difficulty and frustration:

(1)    study habits

(2)    the way you analyze a problem and proceed to its solution

STUDY HABITS

         Learn each assignment before going to a new one:

-- new concepts depend on previous material

-- keep up to date

         Mathematical operations

-- Chemistry is a physical science!

         Devote your thinking time to understanding the principles and the problems

         Minimize the amount of material you memorize:

-- Limit memorization to the basic facts and principles from which you can reason the solutions of the problems.

-- Know this smallish amount of factual material really well; then concentrate on how to use it in a logical, effective way

-- Make condensed revision notes

         Study pertinent class notes and text material until you think you fully understand the facts and principles involved before working homework problems

-- Try to work the problems w/out reference to text, class notes, or friendly assistance

-- Be aware if you have worked the problems w/ a crutch à it’s quite possible that…