O Level Chemistry: Introduction to Periodic Table (Video – Part I)

Direct link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6O9D6Bt2iM

The following questions are discussed in the video:

  • How are elements arranged in the Periodic Table
  • What are the columns and rows called in the Periodic Table?
  • What do elements in the same columns or rows share?
  • How to tell metals and non-metals apart?
  • What is the block of elements in the middle of the periodic table called?
  • Which 2 elements exist as liquid at room temperature and pressure?

Subscribe to my videos on Chemistry Tips and Phenomenon here.

PS: Are you learning something here? Leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you. =)

2010 GCE ‘O’ Level Results – Official Release on Mon, 10th Jan 2011

(Image by Sam Stanton)

It has a been a long wait for many students, and a lot of wild guessing when the GCE ‘O’ Level 2010 results will be out.

As announced by MOE, 2010 GCE ‘O’ Level Results will be released on coming Monday, 10th Jan 2011 at 2pm!

I can still remember the time when i was about to receive my GCE ‘O’ Level results. It was full of panic EXCITEMENT! Anyway, we only receive this results Once In Our Lifetime.

ALL THE BEST!

Whatever results you obtained, remember that you have options and it’s time for you to make decision for your further education and learning.

My colleague, Ai Ling from singaporeolevelmaths.com has compiled a list of Poly Open Houses that you can visit, if you are choosing Polytechnic Tertiary Education for further education.

I personally think graduating students Sec 4 / 5 (2011) 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!

PS: Drop me a comment. I would love to hear from you. =)

Start Preparation Early = Confidence

Greetings from Fuzhou China

Agricultural Land in Fuzhou, China

Two days ago, i received an email update from one of my Sec 4 (2010) Chemistry Student from NanHua High School which had went to Fuzhou, China for close to a month, after completing his GCE O-Level Examinations.

In the email, he would like me to blog about his suggestion to all students that are taking the GCE O-Level Examination in Year 2011 to start their preparation early, as well as those in Sec 3.

From his personal experience, he felt that Sec 4 passed too fast with time spent on CCAs and the rush to complete syllabus by the school. Revision time before the exam is really too short, stressful and there was not enough quality time with friends due to the hectic nature of revision.

“It’s only after the examination, do I really understand that the time for preparation is really short. I hope that you could pass this to other pupils who are preparing for the examination that hey should grasp every second of secondary four year” – extracted from his email

This is in line with what i always advised parents and students – that is to start their revision early so that it is consistent and they will not be so stressful before the GCE O-Level Exams. Consistency = Confidence!

For GCE O-Level Chemistry Exams, students will be tested on all the 20+ topics that i have mentioned in the earlier post. As such, it is important for students to understand all the key essential concepts learned in Sec 3 before they progress in Sec 4. This is because in Sec 4, students have very little chance (truly time constraint) to do proper revision if they start their preparation late.

Now, if you agree with my student’s advice and willing to work hard together with me, i would like to invite you to join our Ultimate Leap Programme – our weekly regular classes – that aims to build in consistency in the student’s progress. Topics to be covered for Sec 3 and 4 Classes can be found in the earlier post. Classes will start in mid-Jan.

Happy 2011 and look forward to meeting you! =)

PS: If you are new to this blog and would like to continue to receive Chemistry Tips, Exam Questions Discussions and other Educational News, go ahead to subscribe to this blog.

PPS: I have some interesting Chemistry stuff to announce in Jan/Feb 2011! Stay tune for it!

Course Structure for Sec 3 & 4 Weekly Chemistry Classes 2011 (Ultimate Leap Programme)

Recently, i have received numerous enquiries on our GCE O-Levels Sec 3 & 4 Chemistry Weekly Classes (Ultimate Leap Programme).

Now, if you are interested to attend any of our Sec 3 & 4 Chemistry Weekly Classes, the information below will be helpful to you.

Our classes are suitable for GCE O-Levels (Pure Chemistry as well as Combine Science) and IGCSE students. For IB and IP Chemistry students, please contact us for discussion on suitability.

Course Structure for Sec 3 Chemistry Class:

  • Experimental Design
  • Methods of Purification & Separation
  • Kinetic Particle Theory
  • Atomic Structure & Ions
  • Chemical Bondings (Ionic, Covalent & Metallic)
  • Structural Properties of Materials
  • Formulae, Stoichiometry & The Mole Concept
  • Acids & Bases
  • Preparation of Salts
  • Redox Reactions

Course Structure for Sec 4 Chemistry Class:

  • Periodic Table & Group Trends
  • Metals & Its Reactivity Series
  • Qualitative Analysis (Identification of Ions & Gases)
  • Speed of Reaction
  • Energy Changes (Exo/Endo)
  • Redox & Electrolysis [not for Combine Science Class]
  • Fuels
  • Alkanes & Alkenes
  • Alcohols & Carboxylic Acids
  • Esters [not for Combine Science Class]
  • Macromolecules [not for Combine Science Class]
  • Air & Atmosphere
  • Ammonia [not for Combine Science Class]

Registration for all our classes are opened. Limited seats left!

Both Sec 3 & 4 Chemistry Classes are scheduled to start in mid-January 2011.

You can register instantly by Clicking HERE

PS: If you find this post helpful to anyone you know, please forward it to them. Thank you.

PPS: If you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us

Successful Completion: O Levels Chemistry Revision / Headstart Workshops – Dec Holidays 2010

It has been a few days after the successful completion of the O Levels Chemistry workshops for December Holidays. It has been fun for me coaching these diverse group of students which has one thing in common – eagerness to learn more and the willingness to participate!

Click HERE to find out about upcoming Chemistry programme in 2011

Chemistry Basic Essential Concepts Workshop6th & 7th Dec 2010

Two groups of students (AM and PM sessions) ranging from Sec 1 – Sec 4 (O Levels / IP /SOTA IB) were put through participative exercises and engaging activities to build up their essential concepts and skill sets such as:

  • Difference between Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
  • Understanding Atomic Structure of Atoms
  • Mastery of the Use of Periodic Table
  • Importance of Chemical Formula
  • Writing Balanced Chemical Equations

Basic Essential Concepts Workshop 2010 Dec - Pix 1

Chemistry Basic Essential Concepts Workshop (AM session)

Basic Essential Concepts Workshop Dec 2010 - PM

Chemistry Basic Essential Concepts Workshop (PM session)

Chemistry Acids, Bases & Salts Revision Workshop8th to 10th Dec 2010

Workshop was attended by Sec 3 and 4 students from O Levels and IP schools.

Many of the students that joined this revision workshop had went for the earlier Chemistry Basic Essential Concepts Workshop on 6th and 7th Dec. You can see that they are so much more confident in writing all the chemical formula and balanced chemical equations which is so common in Acids, Bases and Salts topics. This shows that basic essential concepts and skill sets are important for Chemistry students! They must start from basic….

Comprehensive revision was achieved with lots of participation on exam-based application questions for this workshop. Coverage of key concepts include:

  • Definition, Physical & Chemical Properties of Acids
  • Definition, Physical & Chemical Properties of Alkalis
  • Strategies to Choose the Correct Method for the Preparation of Salts

Acids Bases & Salts

Acids, Bases & Salts Revision Workshop

Now, i am looking forward to mid-January 2011 when the Sec 3 and 4 O Levels Chemistry Weekly Classes (Ultimate Leap Programme) starts for Winners Education Group, with many of the workshop participants joining up for the weekly classes.

PS: If you are interested to join the 2011 weekly Chemistry Classes (Ultimate Leap Programmes), CLICK HERE

Updates: December 2010 Chemistry Revision/Headstart Workshops

Click here to read more

Suitable for O Levels Sec 3, 4 & 5 and IP / IB students

Hi Everyone,

As many parents and their children are back from travelling only next week, we’ve received the request to extend the early bird price sign up for December 2010 Chemistry Revision/Headstart Workshops to 1 Dec 2010, 10pm.

To enjoy 30% off usual workshop fees, register today!
Register here: http://www.simplechemconcepts.com/holiday-chemistry.html

Due to overwhelming response, we have opened an additional session for Chemistry Basic Essential Concepts Workshop. It’s on the same dates, 6 & 7 Dec 2010, 9 am to 1 pm session.

Both Chemistry Basic Essential Concepts & Acids, Bases, Salts Workshops have limited seats left!
Register here: http://www.simplechemconcepts.com/holiday-chemistry.html

For those who have signed up, I’m excited to meet you in a week’s time! :)

Cheers & have a great holiday,
Sean Chua

PS: If you have any questions, please do no hesitate to contact us.

PPS: If you need help for A-Math and/or E-Math TRIGONOMETRY, you can join my colleague Ai Ling at her Dec 2010  Trigonometry Revision Workshops.

Chemistry Phenomenon: Educational Trip to Northern Vietnam – Nov 2010


Youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYt6phIXt9E

Hello everyone!

I reckoned some of you would have finished your major exams (GCE O-Levels, IP, IB and IGCSE). Congrats! It’s time for your to enjoy your holiday before you embark on the next stage of your academic and knowledge pursuance.

It has been a while since you last hear from me. We (Winners Education Group) just came back from our educational trip to Northern Vietnam (Hanoi City, Sapa and Halong Bay, etc) and we have learned alot about their:

  • Educational system for Primary, Secondary, High School and Universities
  • Educational levels as compared to other developed and developing nations
  • History and Literature
  • Language and Economy

And, of course – i saw several interesting Chemistry Phenomenon – Chemistry reactions and actions that are related to our everyday life!

Halong Bay – an UNESCO World Heritage Site has 2000+ limestone structures that are formed due to the wave and wind erosion of one huge island, over thousands and thousands of years.

Halong Bay - Unesco World Heritage

We also saw villagers selling home-made Corn Wine along the streets! This corn wine has 50% v/v alcohol (ethanol) content!

Tribal Lady selling Corn Wine

And apparently some villagers used it to power and run their cars and motorbikes! Chemistry students! Ready for actions?