What other chemistry courses use the periodic table?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the use of the periodic table in various chemistry courses. Participants noted that General Chemistry I is the only course where the periodic table is heavily utilized, while General Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry I do not require extensive knowledge of it. The periodic table is considered foundational knowledge, with its use diminishing in advanced courses. However, courses such as Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Biochemistry, and materials science are identified as areas where the periodic table is applied more rigorously.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of General Chemistry concepts
  • Familiarity with Organic Chemistry basics
  • Knowledge of Inorganic Chemistry principles
  • Awareness of materials science applications
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Inorganic Chemistry and its reliance on the periodic table
  • Explore Physical Chemistry and its applications of elemental properties
  • Study Biochemistry to understand the role of elements in biological systems
  • Investigate materials science, focusing on semiconductor materials and their elemental compositions
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, educators, and professionals in materials science who seek to understand the relevance of the periodic table across various chemistry disciplines.

Ric-Veda
Messages
32
Reaction score
0
So far, I have taken General Chemistry I and II, and Organic Chemistry I. Out of these classes, only General Chemistry I seems to make use of the periodic table, but it is mostly just going through the basics of the periodc table. Not so much in Gen Chem II or Orgo I. I mean they give it to you, but you don't need it that much. I will be finishing Organic II, but what other chemistry courses will make heavy use of the periodic table?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
This is kind of like asking: after kindergarten, when else do you use the alphabet?

The periodic table is a tool. Once you cover the basics behind it, you advance to other things. The table itself becomes "assumed knowledge."
 
Ric-Veda said:
So far, I have taken General Chemistry I and II, and Organic Chemistry I. Out of these classes, only General Chemistry I seems to make use of the periodic table, but it is mostly just going through the basics of the periodc table. Not so much in Gen Chem II or Orgo I. I mean they give it to you, but you don't need it that much. I will be finishing Organic II, but what other chemistry courses will make heavy use of the periodic table?
Always, ALL courses
 
Ok maybe every chemistry course uses it. For my organic chemistry class, I just needed to know a few elements, electronegativity, and atomic numbers, but other than that, there was no use of the periodic table. Gen Chem II, It was the same thing. but we never looked at the periodic table. I understand that you need to know the basics of the periodic table, but what other chem courses do you use the periodic table extensively or study it more in depth? Inorganic, Physical, Biochemistry, analytical?

Again you just needed to know a few parts of the periodic table for Gen Chem II and Organic I, but we never really went in depth with it or use it extensively.
 
Ric-Veda said:
Ok maybe every chemistry course uses it. For my organic chemistry class, I just needed to know a few elements, electronegativity, and atomic numbers, but other than that, there was no use of the periodic table. Gen Chem II, It was the same thing. but we never looked at the periodic table. I understand that you need to know the basics of the periodic table, but what other chem courses do you use the periodic table extensively or study it more in depth? Inorganic, Physical, Biochemistry, analytical?

Again you just needed to know a few parts of the periodic table for Gen Chem II and Organic I, but we never really went in depth with it or use it extensively.
If you get more involved with the chemistry of materials (often taught in a materials science and engineering dept rather than a chemistry dept), you will make extensive use of the periodic table. E.g., for semiconductor materials, you will study Group IV elemental semiconductors and Group III-V and Group II-VI compound semiconductors; for optical glasses, you will study rare Earth's; for high-temperature applications, you will study refractory metals; ...
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K