Is there a way to “read” (for lack of any better term) a chemistry question? Is there a certain pattern to them? (1 Viewer)

[radioheadfan42]

For anyone here who is really good with this…with exam questions, does one get faster at knowing what formula to use when you do more practice papers? Or is it more a matter of logically understanding how the formulas work on a more literal level. I hope this makes sense!

I find in chemistry memorization in and of itself is great, of course, but I have the most terrible memory. But what I find helps, at least in other subjects, is extending beyond just remembering a forumula…i suppose, knowing exactly how it works, when to use it, and what the questions that accompany it look like. Almost in the same way we intuitively understand, lets say grammar.

Maybe its because I don't do mathematics anymore but I for the life of me can't remember the processes involved in multiple step equations. I understand them when I read them, but in test conditions it all becomes a bit of a mess and I genuinely don't trust myself or my own answers. Or I miss something that's really obvious.

That, or being able to read a question and immediately know what formula to use. Because the way my brain works is silly…i understand chemistry and I'm confident when I read it and when I'm learning, it just seems to never stick.

Ok so TLDR: I want to be able to more quickly and efficiently apply formulas within hsc questions. Knowing faster how to approach a question that I have never seen before. Instead of feeling like I'm grasping at twigs, it feels like I'm just slapping a formula down rather than understanding things!

I hope this makes sense! Ahh!

 

[Jonathon Dwight Jones]

For anyone here who is really good with this…with exam questions, does one get faster at knowing what formula to use when you do more practice papers? Or is it more a matter of logically understanding how the formulas work on a more literal level. I hope this makes sense!

I find in chemistry memorization in and of itself is great, of course, but I have the most terrible memory. But what I find helps, at least in other subjects, is extending beyond just remembering a forumula…i suppose, knowing exactly how it works, when to use it, and what the questions that accompany it look like. Almost in the same way we intuitively understand, lets say grammar.

Maybe its because I don't do mathematics anymore but I for the life of me can't remember the processes involved in multiple step equations. I understand them when I read them, but in test conditions it all becomes a bit of a mess and I genuinely don't trust myself or my own answers. Or I miss something that's really obvious.

That, or being able to read a question and immediately know what formula to use. Because the way my brain works is silly…i understand chemistry and I'm confident when I read it and when I'm learning, it just seems to never stick.

Ok so TLDR: I want to be able to more quickly and efficiently apply formulas within hsc questions. Knowing faster how to approach a question that I have never seen before. Instead of feeling like I'm grasping at twigs, it feels like I'm just slapping a formula down rather than understanding things!

I hope this makes sense! Ahh!

idk i think you js have to answer the question

 

[wizzkids]

Yes, there is a method to reading a Chemistry question, just like there is a method to writing the answer to a Chemistry question.
The first thing you have to un-learn is the Advanced English approach!
You read a novel or a poem in whole language, the meaning is only revealed after you have read and digested a whole paragraph or a whole page. If you skim a sentence, or even skip a few words, usually it doesn't matter, because the meaning will still come across.
In Chemistry, the text is usually laid out in procedural recount, i.e. a series of concise interconnected steps. Every step has meaning. Almost every word has meaning. If you skip a word or fail to grasp the meaning of a step, you are likely going to fail the question.
So yes, there is a method to reading a Chemistry question. You have to place all the facts and data into a mental picture, or better still, transfer the facts and data onto a scientific diagram.
Then identify what part(s) of the syllabus are being examined in the question.
Identify the knowns and the unknowns, sometimes a table is useful for organising this information.
Recall the equations that relate to this topic in the syllabus, and decide if they need to be re-formulated to answer the question.
If your mind is a blank at this point, move to the next question and come back to it. You might get some inspiration from another question and you can come back to it.

 

[roseviolett]

this isn't for every question obv but for longer ones like back titrations or ones with a lot of dilution it helps to draw diagrams!!
and writing chemical equations based on what i said in the equation can also give you something to go off of (finding moles, conc, etc)
also just identifying the module is helpful to narrow down what you have to do

i also struggle with this tbh but these things have worked for me!