Bond polarity comes from different elements having different electronegativity; the innate ability to attract electrons within a covalent bond. Electronegativity Each element has a value for electronegativity to compare how two atoms distribute negative charge when they share electrons.… Read More
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Organic Chemistry: 4 Stepping Stones
The four stepping stones to organic chemistry come from general chemistry you already know. Atoms Each element passes important properties through all levels of organization: electronegativity The positive charge from the nucleus compared to the distance… Read More
Dimensional Analysis in Chemistry
One of the first road blocks you might find when you start chemistry is how to do dimensional analysis problems. Dimensional analysis problems do not lend themselves to memorization. The first factor of frustration comes when… Read More
Chemistry of Solids
Solid State Chemistry Solid state chemistry is overlooked in general chemistry. It would be an under statement to say solid state chemistry is the substance of civilization. Many of the most interesting and practical uses of… Read More
How to Study Chemistry
What Goes Around After so much advice on how to study chemistry, it is obvious a lot of “information” is not really helpful. What You Usually Hear There must be better advice than “to study more” , “remove distractions”, “eat… Read More
Ions: Predict Charge
The Periodic Table You use the periodic table to assign standard charges to ions. Main Group and Transition Metals To assign charges to ions, you must recognize these rules apply to main group elements. The other elements… Read More
Isotopes
Consider only the nucleus when you are concerned with isotopes. Electrons play no part in isotopes or the atomic mass, Figure 2. Only protons and neutrons contribute to the mass of an isotope.
Matter: Composition
Matter by Composition You can describe matter based on composition. This means you describe collections of matter based on what makes it up. The first kind of description refers to whether or not you want to describe a pure… Read More
Chemistry Energy
Energy The idea of energy is abstract and difficult to visualize. You can understand it better from the point that although you cannot measure energy directly, you can measure the effects of energy. The two most common visible effects of… Read More