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Here you will find information about the various resources you can use prior to and during Chem 111/113/115. Clicking on the links below will take you to the section on that type of resource.
Welcome!
Welcome!
Congratulations on deciding to begin your chemistry journey at Haverford! This section provides information that can help you both before and during your first chemistry course.
Preparation for Chemistry 111/113/115
Preparation for Chemistry 111/113/115
You might be wondering if there are ways you can prepare for your first college chemistry course. Below are a set of resources that can help you in preparing fundamental skills in math and chemistry from high school that are helpful for the course. Whether you have completed AP chemistry in your senior year of high school or you have not taken a chemistry course in a few years, these resources can be help you review key topics!
Note: All of the resources listed below are optional and not required prior to beginning Chem 111/113/115. Please do not feel like you need to go through all of the resources below prior to starting the course. They are only meant as a source of review if you are interested.
Below, you will find different resources organized as print and electronic resources.
Print Resources
Print Resources
Curious about which textbooks you will use in Chemistry 111/113? See below for more information.
Note: You do not need to purchase any of the resources shown below. These are available on reserve in the Haverford College Library.
General Chemistry by Donald McQuarrie
This is the textbook that you will start with in September. If you are interested in getting a head start, you might consider checking out the following chapters:
-Chapter 1: Dimensional analysis review
-Chapter 2: Atomic theory
-Chapter 3: Chemical nomenclature
-Chapter 11: Introduction to stoichiometry
Organic Chemistry by Thomas Sorrell
"But wait, I thought organic chemistry comes after general chemistry?" If this is your first thought, you are not alone. It turns out that Chemistry 111/113 does include some organic chemistry content. You won't get to this content until mid-October to early-November, but here are some areas that you might consider exploring:
-Chapter 1: Organic nomenclature
-Chapter 2: Bonding in organic molecules
Still feeling nervous about organic chemistry content? If so, you might consider checking out the book listed below, which offer a concise overview of fundamental topics of organic chemistry.
Organic Chemistry as a Second Language by David Klein
As the title says, organic chemistry can often feel like learning a second language. If you want to get a head start on the organic chemistry that you'll cover in Chem 111/113, here are some useful chapters you might check out:
Chapter 1: Bond-line drawings
Chapter 2: Resonance (might sound familiar from Lewis structures!)
Chapter 5: Nomenclature
Note: Don't worry if this information seems new and intimidating. There will be plenty of opportunities to solidify your understanding of these topics during the course. Even just getting familiar with the new terminology can serve you well in your preparation!
Electronic Resources
Electronic Resources
There are multiple online resources that can help solidify your understanding of chemistry concepts prior to starting your first Haverford chemistry course.
Chemistry Student Group (CSG): The CSG provides multiple resources that might be helpful during your preparation, including a Student Guide, strategies for lecture and lab. Click here to see other resources offered by the CSG.
Video Channels
Below are some useful YouTube video channels that discuss basic concepts in general chemistry that you might have seen in your high school chemistry classes.
Professor Dave Explains: This video channel offers helpful, bite-sized videos that discuss content review and practice problems in general chemistry.
Here are some helpful videos to check out in each series.
Measurement and Significant Figures
Balancing Chemical Equations
The Mole: Avogadro's Number and Stoichiometry
Limiting Reagents and Percent Yield
Significant Figures
Balancing Equations
Empirical and Molecular Formulas
Naming Ionic Compounds
Remember that these are only suggestions. Feel free to explore more videos based on your own preferences!
The Organic Chemistry Tutor: Despite the title of this channel, it does include fundamental topics in general chemistry and algebra and includes multiple example problems for practice.
Here are some helpful videos to check out:
Converting Units with Conversion Factors
Dimensional Analysis
Moles to Grams
Basic Stoichiometry
Algebra for Beginners
Algebra - How to Solve Equations Quickly!
Khan Academy: This source offers helpful resources for high school chemistry and math topics.
Chemistry: Below are some sub-sections that you can reference for review.
Atoms, Compounds and Ions
Chemical Bonds
Math: Interested in reviewing high school algebra? Check out these sections.
Working with units
Linear Equations and Graphs
Functions
Laboratory Resources
Laboratory Resources
Interested in lab skills for that you'll use in Chem 111/113? Below are some helpful resources.
Excel Tutorial
After performing experiments, you'll need to analyze your data. One tool that you will often use is Excel, a spreadsheet program. Below are some helpful tutorials that introduce the program. Feel free to follow along on your computer through the examples!
This website offers a step-by-step guide through Excel functions, including Averages and Line Charts.
This video channel introduces basic functions on Excel.
If you use a Mac laptop, check out this video for more details.
Here is another video that introduces you to basic features on Excel. You can use the "Chapters" section on the right to navigate to specific sections.
Here are some particularly helpful video sections:
7:30 - 10:55 Inputting Data
10:56 - 13:37 Formatting Data
29:43 - (End) Inserting Charts in Microsoft Excel
Making a line graph in Excel for scientific data
This tutorial shows you how to make line graphs for sample data on bacterial cells in a biology experiment.
Google Sheets
Do you prefer Google Sheets over Excel? If so, here are some video tutorials that describe how to visualize data in Google Sheets.
Google Sheets Tutorial for Beginners 2020 (Video)
5:46 - 6:10 Formatting values and text in cells
8:25 - 12:13 Creating new values
16:01 - 17:43 Visualizing data in your spreadsheet
Finding the Best Fit Line in GoogleSheets (Video)
Includes tips on making scatter plot and finding the linear regression equation.
Making a Linear Curve Fit (Website)
Interested in learning about other graphing options? Visit the Lab Tech and Software page to explore analytical/visualization software including OriginLab.
This video channel provides example problems to help refine your lab skills in topics such as those listed below:
Titration
American Chemical Society Virtual Chemistry
Below are sub-pages that you might check out to see the chemistry in a virtual format.
Simulation
General/Introductory Chemistry: Simulations
Survey of Reactions: Aqueous and Redox, Stoichiometry, Electronic Configurations and Periodic Properties
Arithmetic, Acid-Base Solutions, Balancing Chemical Equations, Concentration
Review and Blog Posts
Online Labs for Online Learning > ChemCollective
Stoichiometry, Analytical Chemistry/Lab Techniques
Note: Stoichiometry is a very important topic that comes up frequently in lab. Working through some practice problems using the above sources can help boost your confidence during lab!
Sources:
McQuarrie General Chemistry: https://www.amazon.com/General-Chemistry-Donald-McQuarrie/dp/1891389602
Sorrell Organic Chemistry: https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-Second-Thomas-Sorrell/dp/1891389386
Klein Organic Chemistry as Second Language: https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-As-Second-Language/dp/1119110661
Video lecture: https://www.3playmedia.com/blog/best-practices-for-recording-and-captioning-lecture-content/
Khan Academy logo: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-chemistry/atoms-compounds-ions-ap/introduction-to-the-atom-ap/v/introduction-to-chemistry
All linked videos are sourced to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/
Excel logo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Excel
Erlenmeyer flask: https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/erlenmeyer-flask-conical-flask-glassware-chemistry-laboratory_9125476.htm
Titration example: http://billvining.com/mmlib_sims/#gen_4
Page created by Max Stempel '21 -- Fall 2020
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