September 2008 | SimpleChemConcepts

Monthly Archives: September 2008

GCE ‘O’ Level Chemistry Final Leap Programme – Final Revision

Written on September 23, 2008 by sean in Announcement, Chemistry Coaching, Exam Strategies

To all students sitting for the GCE ‘O’ Level Chemistry Papers in 27 days time, all the best!

Over the last few months, we have helped students that wants to improve their Chemistry grades by conducting Programmes such as:

Small Group Essential Concepts Class
Chemistry Intensive Revision Bootcamps
Series of Chemistry Mastery Workshops

GCE ‘O’ Level Chemistry Exams will commence in 27 days time. Are you looking for a proven system to Improve Your Chemistry Grades exponentially in a short period? Yes. You can do that, but it requires your 100% Commitment, 150% Participation and 200% DESIRE TO SCORE LIKE A WINNER!

Here is what i have for committed students:

A Final Chemistry Revision Programme especially catered for Singapore students (Programme will be held in Singapore) who still have not scored what you deserved.

If you have failed your Chemistry Prelims or have never passed your Chemistry before despite many tuition classes or school lessons, this will be your last chance to score the marks you truly deserve.

Here’s what GCE ‘O’ Level Chemistry Final Leap Programme will do for you:

Equip you with the Essential Chemistry concepts using Accelerated Learning Techniques & Association Strategies so that you can understand better and retain more during this short period of time
Expose you to the Secrets of Lnking Concepts on examination questions so that you can Score!
Help you to Regain the Confidence required to fight the Chemistry examination victoriously
Shock you on how you can Score in Chemistry easily just by Applying Step-by-Step Strategies

All based on real GCE ‘O’ Level exam-based questions.

Here’s what I want you to do next:
Click here to tell me what you need to SCORE in your O Level Chemistry. Leave your contact details so that we can get in touch with you asap.

Click >> Testimonials from students

I do not care much how you fare for your Chemistry previously; I just need to know that you believe you want to do much better for NOW!

Tell me What you need to SCORE in Chemistry?

PS: Priorities will be given to students that have never passed their Chemistry exam before.

PPS: This will be a 1-to-1 customized coaching by myself, i can only accept 1-2 students

PPS: Non-local students – my sincere apology not able to coach you personally. Visit this blog-site for more tips

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O Level Chemistry – Strategies to Predict Products of Electrolysis for Aqueuous Solutions

Written on September 22, 2008 by sean in Chemistry Notes & Tips

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We have discussed on the strategies to predict the products of electrolysis of molten compounds as electrolytes in the earlier post.

Today, we are going to examine the Strategies to Predict the Products of Electrolysis for Aqueous Solutions.

For aqueous solutions, there is more than 1 type of cations and anions, since water is present.
Water will contribute to H+ and OH- ions in addition to the ionic compound that is present.

When more than one type of cations or anions are present in a solution, only 1 cation & 1 anion is preferentially selected for discharge.

The selectivity discharge of ions depends on 3 factors:
1. Position of metal in the reactivity series
2. Concentration of the ion in the electrolyte
3. Nature of the electrode used

Let’s check out on the 1st Criterion to consider – Position of Metal in Reactivity Series

Ease of Discharge of Cations Increases down the list:

Potassium Ion, K+
Sodium Ion, Na+
Calcium Ion, Ca2+
Magnesium Ion, Mg2+
Aluminium Ion, Al3+
Zinc Ion, Zn2+
Iron Ion, Fe2+
Lead Ion, Pb2+
Hydrogen Ion, H+
Copper Ion, Cu2+
Silver Ion, Ag+

Ease of Discharge of Anions Increases down the list:

Sulphate Ion, SO42- (Do not discharge)
Nitrate Ion, NO3- (Do not discharge)
Chloride Ion, Cl-
Bromide Ion, Br-
Iodide Ion, I-
Hydroxide Ion, OH-

As such, Cu2+ is preferentially discharged @ the -ve cathode, if we have Cu2+, H+ and Fe2+ in aqueous solutions.

And for anions in aqueous solutions, we will have OH- ions preferentially discharged over NO3- and Cl- if we have all of them in the solutions.

So far so good? Let’s check one of question:

Question 1:

If we have a soluton of dilute aqueous NaCl solution and inert platinum electrode is being used,

(i) What ions are present in the electrolyte?

(ii) What are the products @ the cathode and the anode?

PS: Leave us your suggested answers directly below this post at “Leave Your Reply” section.

I hope you have been learning something so far. =))

Up next, we will visit the 2nd Criterion for predicting the products of electrolysis:
“Concentration of Aqueous Solutions”

PPS: I am launching a book called “Up Your Chemistry Grades Now!” in ebook version before i send it to publisher for the hardcopy book to be available in majoy bookstores. As it takes sometime for the hardcopy book to be published, i want to ensure graduating students sitting for major examination soon, will have a chance to get hold of this wonderful book that i have compiled over 10 years of Chemistry Coaching. It includes all the Common Errors and Misconceptions that many students made batch after batch, and the Correct Essential concepts you need to know . Also included are the Definitions that you need to know in O Level Chemistry Exams and also Tips on what the Examiners are Looking For. If you studying very hard for your Chemistry but yet to score the marks that you truly deserve, make sure you are the first to have your hand on it. You can sign-up for more information on the launch of this wonderful book here.

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O Level Chemistry – Effectiveness of MANY Mock Exams in School?

Written on September 21, 2008 by sean in Announcement, Exam Strategies, Tips for Improvement

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O Level Examinations will be here in less than 1 month time. It’s that short and tight.

You might have noticed a Countdown Clock towards O Level Chemistry on the top right hand corner. In 29 days time, Pure Chemistry students from Singapore will take their O Level Chemistry Paper 2.

Many current MOE teachers and educators may not like this blog-post cos it is going to be Controversial! I noticed that many schools are asking the students to go back to school in weekdays evening to attend extra classes which are known as “Mock Exams” sessions. According to many of my friends that are teaching in schools, students will be put through sessions after sessions of doing exam papers in assembly halls. Whole idea is to create a exam-type environment so that students can get used to it.

Idea is good, but i see many CONS in such a system and curriculum. Many parents have also voiced out the CONS in such a curriculum and many have ~~feedback~~ ~~discuss~~ quarrel with the principals.

Such Mock-Exams will definitely be beneficial for those students that have very strong concepts of the subject. i.e. students that are having an A2 at the moment and pushing towards their A1, or A1 students making sure they maintain their momentum. Yes, this group of students will definitely benefit from it.

Now, what about students that are getting F9, E8, D7, C6, C5, B4 and B3??

I would like to throw the following questions for such an Intensive Mock Exam-based sessions:

Will it be beneficial for a student that is getting EB now?
Since their concept is not strong, how can they benefit from such program?
Will they be just wasting their precious weekday evening time in school doing exam-based papers that they have no clue how to do?
Will it be better for the students to have the precious weekday evening to brush up their essential concepts instead?
Will such Mock-Exam sessions robbed students of their time to do their own revisions?
Worst still, will such Mock-Exam sessions motivates the current A1 and A2 students, but demotivates those students that do not have strong foundations yet?

For the past few weeks, besides parents that are complaining, i have also overheard students complaining about the long hours they are spending in schools that robbed them of precious time to do revisions or to brush up concepts they are not strong yet. Many felt such sessions really make them very lethargic and tired day-in day-out. They can’t find any motivation and interest to study for their upcoming examinations.

And i understand also that some schools have such mock exams until 1 week before the O Levels Examinations! Can someone tell me how students can find personal time to do their own revision for exams?

Following are some pictures that showed students being so tired in the afternoon.

How can studying been so tiring and boring? Gosh….

Students – i just want to know i understand how you feel. I would change the system if i have the authority to do so. But for now, i would just want to say “Complete What You Have Started“. Don’t waste the years that you have spent going to Secondary Schools (High Schools). Do Whatever It Takes!

PS: What are your views? Drop me a line or two in the “Leave A Reply” section below. I would love to hear from you.

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