More Chemistry Tips & Exam Strategies
(Photo by ma-kasu)
In Chemistry, Periodic Table has long been regarded by students, educators and chemists as the “Bible” of Chemistry.
We need to have a good grasp of the General Features & the important Patterns (Group Trends) in order to appreciate many other topics and to score in exams.
General Features of Periodic Table:
- Elements are arranged in the order of increasing proton / atomic number
- A horizontal row of elements is called a Period
- A vertical column of elements is called a Group
- Elements are further divided into
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(Photo Courtesy Loupe Clean)
In the previous post, i have discussed on the overview checklist that students need to know about this topic of Particulate Nature of Matter (commonly known as Kinetic Particle Theory).
Besides the “connection between relative molecular mass of a gas & its rate of diffusion” which is listed as very important, students should also know how to describe & differentiate the 3 States of Matter: Solids, Liquids & Gases, with respect to:
- Arrangement of the particles
- Forces between the particles
- Movement of the particles
- Energy of the particles
- Density
Let’s take a look at it now.
|
Comparison
|
Solids
|
Liquids
|
Gases
|
| Arrangement of particles |
Closely packed together in an orderly arrangement |
Close together in a disorderly arrangement |
Far apart in a random arrangement |
| Forces between particles |
Strong forces |
Strong forces |
No forces |
| Movement of particles |
Vibrates about their fixed positions |
Slide past each other randomly |
Move about quickly & randomly |
| Energy of particles |
Low |
Moderate |
High |
| Density |
High (bcos particles are close together) |
Quite high (bcos particles are close together) |
Low (bcos particles are far apart) |
With the above comparisons, we shall now discuss which States of Matter can be compressed upon the application of
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Last Sunday, i met the new group of students for the 2010 Sun Sec 3 Chemistry Class under Ultimate Leap Programme.
Since it was the 1st session, i decided to start with a very basic topic known as Particulate Nature of Matter, otherwise known as Kinetic Particle Theory to many. This should be something that most students would have learned and mastered in Sec 1/2 in their secondary schools.
To my surprise, many of the students were not conversant in this topic when i gave them the Pre-Test!
Today, i am going to share with you the overview checklist on what you need to know about this topic as well as discuss on one very important concept that are frequently tested in GCE ‘O’ Levels / IGCSE / IB / IP Chemistry Exams.
Overview Checklist on what you need to know:
- Recognise & draw the particulate models for Solids, Liquids & Gases
- Describe the arrangement & movement of the particles in the 3 States of Matter
- Explain why Gases can be compressed, but not Solids & Liquids
- Describe what happens to the particles during melting, boiling, condensation and freezing
- Interpret Temp / Time Graphs for Changes of States
- State the connection between relative molecular mass of a gas & its rate of diffusion
- State some examples of diffusion of gases in everyday life
Of the above, the favourite question that examiners like to ask is
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It’s official!
School candidates may collect their results from their schools at 2.00 pm on 11 January 2010.
Private candidates will be informed of their results by post. They may also access their results through the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) website from 2.00 pm on 11 January 2010.
More details here: http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/2010/01/o-level-results-jae-jpsae-2010.php
All the best to your future endeavours!
(Image by barbara_nixon)
How to Design & Deliver Your Presentations using PowerPoints That Sizzles!
I have been presenting for many years (formally and informally), and have gone into coaching for quite awhile. Many people ask me what is the best form of presenting to grab the audience’s attention and to achieve the end results that we aim for.
My answer is: ” Every form of presentation has its own merits and downsides, but all can be used to achieve your final aim. The most important thing is to determine your group audience and the purpose of your presentations. For academic coaching sessions where i want my students to absorb faster and more effectively, i would use Flip-Charts and Whiteboards. But for generating ideas across to the large mass audience where visuals are very important – i will use PowerPoint Presentations.”
We all heard of Winston Churchill and Lincoln Abraham. Both are great Motivational Speakers and Leaders.
As speakers, both practice the three-part rule of classic rhetoric Presentation Formulae:
1. Start with an attention-grabbing introduction. I personally prefer Outrageous Openings.
2. Use the body of your speech to deliver persuasive content. Over here, this is where
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(Image by reeby)
Just a quick note that SEAB website has announced the tentative date for GCE ‘O’ Levels Reults 2009 results release to be between 11th – 13th Jan 2010.
If you are awaiting the results, i would like to wish you getting the grades that you desire.
Whatever results you obtained, remember that you have options and it’s time for you to make decision for your further education and learning. If you are not sure what to expect after your results, do drop me a comment here for further discussions.
Ai Ling from singaporeolevelmaths.com has compiled a list of Open Houses (for JC and Poly) that you can visit, in order to have a better idea of what you want for your next phase of life. She also mentioned that Sec 4 / 5 (2010) students should also go for such Open Houses in order to have a better idea, even before they take their GCE ‘O’ Levels Examinations later this year. Highly encouraged!
