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College Bound --Need advice on Chemistry (Semi long)
This is my first post on "physics forums" so let me preface my question by saying I have been reading this forum for several weeks, and I would just like to comment on some truly exemplary people answering questions. There are some brilliant people here, and you have my admiration.
With that said... on to my question.
I will be returning to college on the 21st of August after 6 years in the workforce. In the time spent working, I have saved up enough money for medical school. I may not make it that far, but I have to give it a fair shot, it's my dream.
(Now here is why this is in the Chemistry section)
During the last 6 weeks I have dusted off my college general chemistry book in an attempt to refresh on the subject. I have systematically gone through each chapter to memorize the materal, with a good rate of success.
There are 25 chapters in the book, I have gone through about 200 pages, I'm nearly finished with chapter 5.
Here is a run-down on what I have covered so far..
1)Chemistry and Measurement (Mostly covered the basics for math; SI units simple conversions and such)
2)Atoms, Molecules, and Ions (Covered Atomic Theory, and Structure. Some common information on formulas and names, and a brief section on chemical reactions)
3)Chemical Reactions (Covered a slightly more in depth look at reactions, Ions in aqueous solution etc)
4)Calculations with Chemical Formulas and Equations (Covered Mass/Moles, how to determine chemical formulas, Stoichiometry, and Quantitative Analysis)
5)The Gaseous State (Covered all the basics of gas equations. Boyle/Charles Laws, The Ideal Gas Law, Stoichiometry involving gas volumes)
This is about where I am at at the moment. Here is a run-down on what's left..
6)Thermochemistry
7)Quantum Theory of the Atom
8)Electron Configuration on Periodicity
9)Ionic and Covalent Bonding
10)Molecular Geometry and Chemical Bonding Theory
11)States of Matter; Liquids and Solids
12)Solutions (Such as Colligative Properties)
13)Rates of Reaction
14)Chemical Equilibrium
15)Acids and Bases
16)Acid-Base Equilibria
17)Solubility and Complex-Ion Equilibria
18)Thermodynamics
19)Electrochemistry
20)Nuclear Chemistry
21)Metallurgy and Chemistry of the Main-Group Metals
22)Chemistry of the Nonmetals
23)The Transition Elements
24)Organic Chemistry
25)Biochemistry
Whew.. still reading? Good, thank you!
I only have one month, plus a few days to brush-up on the rest of the book. I want to come out of the cage swinging when I go back to college. I only have time for two, possibly three more in-depth chapter reads. Now I'm not going to ask what are THE best chapters of the ones I have listed, and have yet to read, that would be an impossible question to answer.. however, what chapters would I get the most out of reading in preperation for going to school? Assume I have no prior knowledge of Chemistry, and want to get the most out of the important chapters.
I was thinking Chapter 7 on Quantum Theory, Chapter 8 on Electron Configuration, and Chapter 9 on Ionic, and Covalent Bonding. Would any of you Physics Forums champs want to weigh in on this? It would be a great help.
Thanks for your time
This is my first post on "physics forums" so let me preface my question by saying I have been reading this forum for several weeks, and I would just like to comment on some truly exemplary people answering questions. There are some brilliant people here, and you have my admiration.
With that said... on to my question.
I will be returning to college on the 21st of August after 6 years in the workforce. In the time spent working, I have saved up enough money for medical school. I may not make it that far, but I have to give it a fair shot, it's my dream.
(Now here is why this is in the Chemistry section)
During the last 6 weeks I have dusted off my college general chemistry book in an attempt to refresh on the subject. I have systematically gone through each chapter to memorize the materal, with a good rate of success.
There are 25 chapters in the book, I have gone through about 200 pages, I'm nearly finished with chapter 5.
Here is a run-down on what I have covered so far..
1)Chemistry and Measurement (Mostly covered the basics for math; SI units simple conversions and such)
2)Atoms, Molecules, and Ions (Covered Atomic Theory, and Structure. Some common information on formulas and names, and a brief section on chemical reactions)
3)Chemical Reactions (Covered a slightly more in depth look at reactions, Ions in aqueous solution etc)
4)Calculations with Chemical Formulas and Equations (Covered Mass/Moles, how to determine chemical formulas, Stoichiometry, and Quantitative Analysis)
5)The Gaseous State (Covered all the basics of gas equations. Boyle/Charles Laws, The Ideal Gas Law, Stoichiometry involving gas volumes)
This is about where I am at at the moment. Here is a run-down on what's left..
6)Thermochemistry
7)Quantum Theory of the Atom
8)Electron Configuration on Periodicity
9)Ionic and Covalent Bonding
10)Molecular Geometry and Chemical Bonding Theory
11)States of Matter; Liquids and Solids
12)Solutions (Such as Colligative Properties)
13)Rates of Reaction
14)Chemical Equilibrium
15)Acids and Bases
16)Acid-Base Equilibria
17)Solubility and Complex-Ion Equilibria
18)Thermodynamics
19)Electrochemistry
20)Nuclear Chemistry
21)Metallurgy and Chemistry of the Main-Group Metals
22)Chemistry of the Nonmetals
23)The Transition Elements
24)Organic Chemistry
25)Biochemistry
Whew.. still reading? Good, thank you!
I only have one month, plus a few days to brush-up on the rest of the book. I want to come out of the cage swinging when I go back to college. I only have time for two, possibly three more in-depth chapter reads. Now I'm not going to ask what are THE best chapters of the ones I have listed, and have yet to read, that would be an impossible question to answer.. however, what chapters would I get the most out of reading in preperation for going to school? Assume I have no prior knowledge of Chemistry, and want to get the most out of the important chapters.
I was thinking Chapter 7 on Quantum Theory, Chapter 8 on Electron Configuration, and Chapter 9 on Ionic, and Covalent Bonding. Would any of you Physics Forums champs want to weigh in on this? It would be a great help.
Thanks for your time