Organic Chemistry is the Chemistry of Carbon Compounds. Several millions organic compounds are known compared to no more than 100, 000 compounds that contain no carbon. There is, however, a small number of carbon compounds (e.g. CO, CO2, Metal Carbonates) that are not classified as organic.

The vast number of organic compounds reflects the exceptional ability if carbon to form covalent bonds with other carbon atoms to form chains, branched chains and rings structures. Straight chain compounds are called Aliphatic Compounds and ring compounds are called Cyclic Compounds.

In Organic Compounds, Carbon always has a valency of four. Apart from carbon, a small number of other elements is widely found in organic compounds. The most important of these elements are Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Sulphur and the Halogens.

Yesterday was the last day of the 5 days O Level Chemistry Intensive Revision Bootcamp and was a really emotional one for me. Especially when i was handling out the Certificate of Acheivement to this special group of committed students. I can see the smile and brightness in the eyes, and feel very proud that i decided after so long, to hold such an intensive program for a group of students that wants more help to learn Chemistry in a simple, more fun manner & to score the grades they truly deserve for their Chemistry in O Levels.

With the completion of 40hrs (aka 5 days) of intensive program, we have covered 70-80% of the current GCE O Level Syllabus whereby main-stream secondary schools takes close to 11/2 years to “teach” theirs students. My graduates from this bootcamp are shocked to find out how efficiently and effectively we can cover those “big” chapters in super short time using Accelerated Learning Techniques (ChemKidz…u still remember those Reviews & Participation huh??!) and Lots Lots Lots of Life Examples and Analogies (i almost lost my voice @ towards the end of the bootcamp).

We were at Rendezvous Hotel, and many passer-bys and their own staff are surprised at the speed and effectively levels of our accelerated coaching teachniques used. In fact, Accelerated Learning Techniques has been around for sometime, but only adults that seek personal development understands about it and believe in it. For us, we are the 1ST to incorporate Accelerated Learning Techniques into Chemistry Coaching & fused it with my knowledge of Chemistry Phenomenons in everyday lives. Based on what i observed for last 10 years, our current secondary schools under MOE are still using their own “ONE-WAY” teaching methods and this does not cater well for students that have either loose their interest and have weak foundations in Basic Chemistry Concepts. We AIM to be different by providing a totally different way of coaching Chemistry.

Hereby, i wish this special group of students The Best In Their Chemistry Examinations and also other academic achievements! ChemKidz –> Remember one of my many taglines @ the end of each set of notes –>

“Wanting Leads to Wanting, Doing Leads to Having”

You learned about the Basic Chemistry Essential Concepts. Now you need to carry on Step 2, that is to APPLY it, and Step 3, that is to REVIEW it. I will be following up with you shortly to help you review your progress.

Below is a Table that can help us to identify cations in an unknown solution. This is very important in Qualitative Analysis Tests.

Besides SPA and Practical Examinations where the following table will be provided, you will need to memorize the table in order to answer QA questions that come out for Multiple-Choice Questions as well as Structured Questions.

But no fret, it is not that difficult to memorize it. Start by looking at Cu2+, Fe2+, Fe3+ and NH4+ because they have very distinct colours changes:

• Cu2+ –> Blue PPT
• Fe2+ –> Green PPT
• Fe3+ –> Reddish Brown PPT
• NH4+ –> Gives Pungent Ammonia Gas upon heating with NaOH
   (Click Image to have a better view)

PS: Do print a copy and paste it at the end of your notebook if necessary.

Many students struggled whenever questions asking on solubility of salts came out in quizes and examinations.

Although it does require students to memorize the solubility of salts, there are several trends in the solubility of different salts that can assist us to memorise better.

Check out the Table of Common Salts below. I have included solubility of Hydroxides & Phosphates, which is not mentioned in most textbooks. Hope this helps. I will post more questions on solubility of salts. Do use this table to answer those questions. Stay Tuned!
(Click Image to see clearly)

PS: Copy, paste &print out the table above & paste it at the back of your notebook if you find it helpful.

Many students have problem in this fundamental chapter on Acids, Bases & Salts. One of the basic concepts lacking is the determination & differentiation of Strong Acid Vs Weak Acid & Strong Base Vs Weak Base.

First, we need to understand that:

• Acid –> pH < 7
• Pure Water –> pH = 7
• Base/Alkali –> pH > 7

Next, we need to differentiate between Strong vs Weak of Acids/Alkalis using examples. Examples given in the chart below will help you to learn better. Copy & print the chart out and paste it in your note if necessary.
(Click image to see clearly)

Ways to increase interest in Chemistry and Improve your grades be it for GCE O Level Chemistry, ICGSE, IB or IP prorgammes.

Everyday Life Occurences is the KEY!

As i have mentioned earlier, learning Chemistry is easy when you show aptitude and interest in the subject. Chemistry is happening around us everyday – all the phenomenons.

Below i would like to share with you on a Chemistry Phenomenon that i came across in TODAY papers dated 25th Aug 07.

Title: Did Pigeon Poo Weaken Fallen Minnesota Bridge?

I almost LOL when i read the title of this article. Interesting isn’t it. Corny in a way. But after catching my breath and reading through – it is no corny anymore, it is based on scientific knowledge.

Inspectors searching for causes of the collapse of a Minnesota Bridge this month that killed at least 13 people have identified pigeon droppings as a possible factor. It is thought the build-up of Guano over many years could have speeded up the rusting of the steel beams in the eight-lane bridge, which collapsed into the Mississipi River on Aug 1.

Structural engineers had been aware of the problem as early as 1987, when inspectors noted a coating of Guano on the inside of some of the steel girders. Pigeon droppings contain Ammonia and Salt, which, when combined with rainwater, can lead to tiny electrochemical reactions that rust the steel.

“Over a long term, it might in fact cause structural weaknesses.” Mr Neal Langerman, of the prestigous American Chemical Society (ACS) said.

The authorities can point to efforts to contain the problem, when screens were put up to prevent pigeons from nesting in some if the openings in the structure. But the build-up of Guano is thought to have continued on the other parts of the bridge.

Guano is just one of the factors that Inspectors are considering as they seek to prevent a repeat of the catastrophe in other ageing bridges in the United States.

Here is what i call CHEMISTRY – The World of Wonders!

Enjoy,

Sean, Master Trainer
Chemistry Made Easy