Chemistry is difficult and sometimes teachers try hard to simplify it. This site is an attempt to make sure that we don't lost sight of the chemistry when it is simplified.

The Chemistry Translator is a series designed at improving our explanations of common high school and college level chemistry. This series will take typical statements that are used in classes and break them down to increase their purpose as well as give a more thorough explanation behind the material. Physics will be incorporated often and topics will link to each other, you will see several concepts of bonding, Coulomb's law, and molecular motion repeat as they have a huge relevance to a number of topics.

These explanations are not designed to assist the night before an exam, rather they are aimed at students who are frustrated with their own levels of understanding regardless of grade. Newer chemistry teachers might also find them helpful in coming up with correct and detailed explanations of topics from their past. Parents who are trying to help with chemistry and are frustrated might also find them useful.

Topic 1 - Reaction energy diagrams. Here we go through endothermic and exothermic reaction energy diagrams and move beyond energy into molecular motion and forces to explain the reaction energy diagram in much more thorough detail.

Topic 2 - Covalent bonds share electrons, ionic bonds transfer electrons. Here we debunk the latter statement and go deep into classical physics in order to explain why atoms stick together. We also defend the purpose behind the need to clarify the difference between ionic bonding and covalent through the large differences in the resulting chemicals.

Topic 3 - significant digits. Here we avoid the rules for significant figures and instead talk about why we have this alternate system that has rules that violate our typical number sense. Measurement boards are used to explain what makes a measurement good or weak and how to communicate the level of measurement made. A common math misconception is addressed about why 6x4 = 20 in measurements using acceptable ranges of values.

Episode 4 - Fluorine is the most electronegative element. Electronegativity seems simple, but here we purposefully avoid its use as we replace it with simpler concepts like positive and negative charges and how we can apply attraction and repulsion for all items in an atom. Atomic structure is described mostly in classical physics for a fuller understanding of electronegativity without any large offenses to quantum mechanics.

Episode 5 - The specific heat capacity of water is 4.18. Specific heat capacity is often introduced with a lot of calculations involving Q = mCdeltaT and some references to the consequences of water having a large specific heat capacity. Here we look into why water has such a high specific heat capacity and why metals have lower specific heat capacities. What has the lowest possible specific heat capacity?

Episode 6 - Science never sucks is used commonly in chemistry classes to explain that gases push rather than suction sucking. Here we break down some less common examples that are more difficult for people to avoid falling into a trap thinking that suction is responsible. It is not possible for a vacuum to exert a force. Only objects can exert forces (light too technically) and the lack of objects means a vacuum can do nothing. The motion of gases into a vacuum is often confused with the vacuum causing the action.

Episode 7 - Oxidation states/oxidation numbers

Typically oxidation states are presented with a list of rules and then practice using those rules. Here we avoid the rules to get at what an oxidation number is and is not and the purpose of them. We use this to show why the rules are what they are.

Episode 8 - Chemical and Physical changes

In my opinion this topic should be done away with as it has no clear common distinction except under very arbitrary standards and if it is to be kept it should in evaluating why there is no consistent line drawn for either. Here we use poison to demonstrate one example of a different way of thinking about these changes although not perfect it is a great introduction to chemicals and aligns with common problems given on this topic.

Episode 9 - pH for acids is below 7, pH for bases is above 7

Acids and bases are very difficult to understand and come with lots of math to get lost in. Understanding the definitions of Bronsted-Lowry in bonding level. Why is the proton able to leave acids and under what conditions are acids better at giving the H+ ion away? The problem with starting with pH is that it makes it easy to ignore the water present and makes it seem that an acid or base can exist in isolation.

Episode 10 - PV = nRT

The ideal gas law is often presented with a flood of algebra equations. Here we explore some conceptual components that are key for this equation to function and some physics behind them. In addition we compare real and ideal gases and when ideal gas assumptions break down.

Episode 11 - dimensional analysis

Here I go through and suggest some ways to make the concept of dimensional analysis a little stronger and hopefully that simplifies down why the process is what it is. Sample problems are worked out as well.

Episode 12 - Quantum numbers

What a quantum number is, how they are communicated in chemistry classes, and what rules accompany them and when they are upheld and violated. Helpful for those in AP or IB or college level chemistry.

Episode 13 - Shielding

Why shielding is relatively constant across a period and how constant it actually is. We also explore the exceptions to trends and debunk the myth of stability of full/half-filled orbital shells.

Episode 14 - The octet rule

Here we look at why some atoms will obtain an octet of valence electrons and why some do not. We question the notion of 8 being a magical number in chemistry and explore why this conception arises and its accuracy.

Episode 15 - electron configurations 1s2 2s2 2p6

How to do electron configurations, what they are and what they are useful for. Additionally exceptions to the typical 4s and 3d orbital configurations are explained for Cu/Cr/Ag etc.

Episode 16 - 6.02x10^23

Why we use moles and why teachers spend time emphasizing Avagadro's number in the hopes of developing the small end of the scales of big vs. small in physics. Sample conversions and explanation near the end.

Episode 17 - Stoichiometry

The theoretical basis for a balanced reaction being the recipe for a chemical reaction and how moles can be used systematically to determine relative amounts of chemicals used or produced.

Episode 18 - Batteries/redox

How a battery creates electricity and what information you should be able to derive from a redox potential list.

Episode 19 - Coulometry

Physics background needed to solve stoichiometry problems involving electrolysis with quantification of the amount of charge used via current and time.

Suggestions for future episodes are always welcome and if you would like clarification or have a question you can leave a message or ask me on twitter.

I also do lots of chemistry and physics demos which can be found on my youtube channel (see below).