Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes it undergoes. Chemistry is often called the central science, because a basic knowledge of chemistry is essential for students of biology, physics, geology, ecology, and many other subjects.
Why Chemistry is so hard???
This question is frequently asked from mostly students. It has labelled as difficult science to master. Let’s take a look what is really happened with this subject?
Chemistry has so many exclusion.
Let’s say Pauli’s exclusion, or you will find some exclusion properties of an element in the periodic table.
There is Mathematics behind of it
Just like Physics, Chemistry is a branch of science which apply Mathematics for some calculations, not only calculus, geometry and unit conversion also takes part in Chemistry. So yeah Chemistry and Mathematics cannot be separated. If the students have difficulty in Mathematics so they will feel Chemistry is hard. It’s a logic!
Chemistry isn’t only in the classroom
The mindset that Chemistry subject is more fun if the teacher demonstrate some experiment in the classroom or conduct the experiment in the laboratory really forces the teacher to grant it. In fact, there are some theory that cannot be explained using experiment, and it is really boring without experiment guys!
Learning chemistry is just like learning new language. Can you imagine, there are 118 elements in the periodic table to learn, there is nomenclature system for the compound, in addition there is chemical equation to be balanced. That is why there is idioms in daily life “The couples have chemistry each other “. By the way, I think it is sarcasm of chemistry!
If you really think something is hard then actually you are setting up your mind that thing really difficult, and nothing possible for chemistry to be easy in your mind no matter what you did and how hard you tried. The chemistry itself came from three words, Chem – Is – Try so, No matter how hard is it, just try and try again. You will get more satisfaction if you can master something in a “hard” way.
Chemistry is often regarded as one of the most difficult subjects to study due to its complex nature and the wide range of topics it encompasses. There are several reasons why chemistry is considered a challenging subject for many students.
Firstly, chemistry involves the study of microscopic particles such as atoms, molecules, and ions. These particles are not directly observable and require a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and abstract theories to comprehend their behavior and interactions.
Secondly, chemistry requires a strong foundation in other scientific disciplines such as physics and mathematics, making it a subject that is heavily reliant on prerequisite knowledge. Without a solid understanding of these fundamental concepts, it can be difficult to grasp the complexities of chemistry.
Thirdly, chemistry involves a lot of memorization of formulas, equations, and concepts, which can be overwhelming for some students. There is a large amount of terminology and jargon that needs to be learned, which can make it challenging to remember and apply the correct information.
Finally, chemistry labs can be particularly challenging due to the strict safety protocols and the need for precise measurements and observations. This requires a high level of attention to detail and careful planning, which can be difficult for some students.
In conclusion, while chemistry is a fascinating and important subject, it can be difficult to master due to its complex and abstract nature, the reliance on prerequisite knowledge, the need for memorization, and the challenges of conducting laboratory experiments.
The following video as the other viewpoint of chemistry from the students.
A chemist learn language as well
The development of language in the field of chemistry has been essential in facilitating communication and advancing the understanding of the subject. The language of chemistry has evolved over centuries, starting from ancient times to modern times, and has been shaped by various factors, including cultural and scientific advancements. This essay will discuss the history and evolution of the language of chemistry and how it has affected the development of the field.
The language of chemistry can be traced back to ancient times when alchemists attempted to transform base metals into gold. Alchemy was the precursor to modern chemistry, and the language of alchemy was heavily steeped in symbolism and metaphor. Alchemists used words such as "philosopher's stone" and "elixir of life" to describe their experiments and findings. These terms were not meant to be taken literally, but rather as metaphorical representations of their research.
As chemistry evolved, so did the language. During the 18th century, the Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele introduced new terminology for chemical substances, including "oxygen," "nitrogen," and "chlorine." This terminology was more precise and allowed for greater accuracy in describing chemical reactions. The French chemist Antoine Lavoisier further refined the language of chemistry by introducing the concept of chemical elements and developing a system for naming them. Lavoisier's work formed the basis of modern chemistry and paved the way for the development of the periodic table. Lavoisier stated:
The language of chemistry continued to evolve throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. In the 1800s, German chemists developed a new system for naming organic compounds that is still used today. This system uses prefixes and suffixes to indicate the structure of the compound, allowing chemists to easily identify and classify different organic compounds. In the 20th century, advances in technology and instrumentation led to the development of new analytical techniques, such as gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. These techniques required new terminology to describe the equipment and the results obtained from them.
The evolution of the language of chemistry has had a significant impact on the development of the field. Precise and standardized terminology has allowed chemists from around the world to communicate more effectively and collaborate on research. The use of precise language has also allowed for greater accuracy in describing chemical reactions and has led to the development of new theories and models. For example, the discovery of the electron and the development of quantum mechanics in the early 20th century led to a new understanding of chemical bonding, which required new terminology to describe.
In addition to facilitating communication and advancing the field, the language of chemistry has also been shaped by cultural and societal factors. For example, during World War II, the development of chemical weapons led to the creation of new terminology, such as "nerve gas" and "mustard gas." Similarly, the rise of environmentalism in the 1970s led to the development of new terminology to describe the impact of chemicals on the environment, such as "biomagnification" and "bioaccumulation."
In conclusion, the development of the language of chemistry has been essential in advancing the field and facilitating communication among chemists. The language has evolved over centuries, starting from the metaphorical language of alchemy to the precise and standardized terminology used today. The evolution of the language has been shaped by various factors, including cultural and societal changes and scientific advancements. The use of precise language has allowed for greater accuracy in describing chemical reactions and has led to the development of new theories and models. The language of chemistry will continue to evolve as the field advances, and it will remain essential in facilitating communication and advancing the understanding of chemistry.
References:
Kozma, R. B., & Russell, J. (1997). Students becoming chemists: Developing representational competence. In J. K. Gilbert & C. J. Boulter (Eds.), Developing models in science education (pp. 121-142). Springer.Principe, L. M. (2013). The Secrets of Alchemy. University of Chicago Press.Three Levels Representation in Chemistry
According to Johnstone, the three levels of representation in chemistry are:
Macroscopic level: This level of representation involves the observation and description of chemical phenomena at the level of visible objects and events. Examples of macroscopic representations in chemistry include observations of color changes during a chemical reaction, the formation of precipitates, or changes in temperature.
Submicroscopic level: This level of representation involves the use of models and diagrams to represent the behavior of atoms and molecules that are not visible to the naked eye. Examples of submicroscopic representations in chemistry include the use of ball-and-stick models to represent the structure of molecules or the use of particle diagrams to represent the behavior of individual atoms or molecules during a chemical reaction.
Symbolic level: This level of representation involves the use of chemical symbols and equations to represent chemical reactions and the behavior of chemical species. Examples of symbolic representations in chemistry include the use of chemical formulas to represent the composition of compounds or the use of chemical equations to represent the process of a chemical reaction.
Overall, Johnstone's three levels of representation provide a framework for understanding the different ways in which chemical phenomena can be represented and understood, from the macroscopic level of observable events to the submicroscopic level of atoms and molecules to the symbolic level of chemical equations and formulas.
Author: Johnstone, A. H.Title: The Development of Chemistry TeachingPublication Year: 1993Journal/Book Title: Journal of Chemical EducationVolume: 70Issue: 9Page Range: 701-705