Self-studying chemistry

[Oxymandias]

Some background information. I live in a country where the school system is very different to most of the world. High school starts at 12 and ends when you are 18 years old. You start in first year of high school and end in 6th year. I'm in the 4th year of high school right now (should be in fifth but i had to do my year twice). I plan on taking chemistry next year. This means i will have everything (maths, geography, languages, sciences,...) but it will focus on chemistry (4H organic, 4H experimental, 6h analytical) I can't choose how much of what i have but this should prepare you for university level chemistry.

 

I want to make my high school easier since its pretty hard here and i really have a passion for chemistry. After my exams i will have 2 months summer break and i want to learn as much as possible about chemistry.

I don't know much at all about chemistry i guess. I know Periodic table and how to use it chemical reactions (like dissociation,Precipitation,) And the last thing i learned is calculating molecular mass.

 

Questions:

• Where do i start? Do you guys know any books i could buy to get me started? I'm a pretty fast learner especially when things interest me. Or any websites? Money isn't really a problem so rather a good quality online learning source then something free and not as good.

• What branch of chemistry do you think i would enjoy most? (Not that this matters in the slightest since i'm only 17 and don't plan on specializing in anything until i am older or in uni, it is just out of pure curiosity.) i don't enjoy physics (atleast not on the level i learn it at the moment which is very very low) but i like the idea of quantum mechanics, Q physics and Q chemistry. Chemistry>maths>biology>physics. I am pretty interested in mind-altering drugs and medicine too.

I really appreciate any input thank you!

 

[KipIngram]

I want to say that it sounds like you are off to a great start and I think the attitude you're bringing to the table already has you destined for success! Most high school kids in my region are thinking more right now about how many parties they can manage to go to this summer. So kudos to you.

 

I'm not a chemist, but my father was (organic). On my own I've come to realize that knowing the basics of quantum theory as applied to electron structure in atoms ties in very strongly with how the periodic table works. However, it may be possible to just start with the periodic table and get the same capabilities without that. But it's something you might consider as part of this quest.

 

Regarding organic chemistry, I also know that understanding the nomenclature really well is important. I spent a bit of time looking at that and it looked like a fair amount of memorization was in order.

 

Just to inject a bit of humor here, I feel I must recommend that you keep your study sessions and your exploration of mind altering drugs well-separate from one another.

 

That's all I have to offer, but I really wish you a lot of luck and I hope you'll let us know from time to time how things are going!

[Oxymandias]

I want to say that it sounds like you are off to a great start and I think the attitude you're bringing to the table already has you destined for success! Most high school kids in my region are thinking more right now about how many parties they can manage to go to this summer. So kudos to you.

 

I'm not a chemist, but my father was (organic). On my own I've come to realize that knowing the basics of quantum theory as applied to electron structure in atoms ties in very strongly with how the periodic table works. However, it may be possible to just start with the periodic table and get the same capabilities without that. But it's something you might consider as part of this quest.

 

Regarding organic chemistry, I also know that understanding the nomenclature really well is important. I spent a bit of time looking at that and it looked like a fair amount of memorization was in order.

 

That's all I have to offer, but I really wish you a lot of luck and I hope you'll let us know from time to time how things are going!

Thank you, actually i'm one of those kids who goes to home parties and doesn't study enough. The only difference is that a while ago i found that chemistry is something i really enjoy. which is why i want to put so much time and effort into it. I would say i am lucky for finally finding something at school i do enjoy because i wasn't walking the right path at all. That being said thank you for the input, i will look into all of these things and hope i can find something useful.

 

 

Just to inject a bit of humor here, I feel I must recommend that you keep your study sessions and your exploration of mind altering drugs well-separate from one another.

I agree that studying under the influence of any drug is not really a great idea however, I think there are a lot of things you can learn about the world and yourself using hallucinogens, you should really look into them, they are truly not as satanic as the media and government says they are. (I don't recommend any use of illegal substances though)

[KipIngram]

Yes, I'm basically of the same opinion. I can't do such things right now, because I have family responsibilities and the government would "slap my risk" if they caught me experimenting with such things. But I'm very curious about some of them - particularly mescaline - and may get around to a little tinkering once the kids are all gone and such a wrist slap wouldn't affect so many other people.

[StringJunky]

Any holes in your maths can be filled at Khan Academy

 

A specific chem maths book: The Chemistry Maths Book - Steiner https://www.amazon.com/Chemistry-Maths-Book-Erich-Steiner/dp/0199205353#customerReviews

Edited June 18, 2017 by StringJunky

[studiot]

Steiner is very good and very clear to help you with the maths you need rather than the detail the mathematicains want you to know.

Takes a student through advanced high school maths and chemists through at least two years of chemistry maths at university.

 

General Chemistry - Petrucci

 

Chemistry - Lewis and Evans

 

Both excellent modern reading at your level, both cover all branches of the subject at introductory level Organic, Inorganic, Analytical, environmental and radiochemistry.

 

A fun book is

 

Molecules - Atkins

 

Go well in your studies and come back here with any questions, there are some good to great chemists on this site.

[Oxymandias]

Another question, is it possible for chemistry to be theoretical? I mean, i guess experementing in labs could be fun but what really exites me is learning about new things and theories, ... I don't want to constantly do lab work. So

 

- Is there a theoretical part of chemistry? Also what career options are there assuming i don't like working in a lab as much as doing the theoretical part of chemistry?

[studiot]

Another question, is it possible for chemistry to be theoretical? I mean, i guess experementing in labs could be fun but what really exites me is learning about new things and theories, ... I don't want to constantly do lab work. So

 

- Is there a theoretical part of chemistry? Also what career options are there assuming i don't like working in a lab as much as doing the theoretical part of chemistry?

 

Either marry the Boss's daughter or befriend his son and get a job as assistant to him.

 

Either way should be sinecure enough for you.

[StringJunky]

 

Either marry the Boss's daughter or befriend his son and get a job as assistant to him.

 

Either way should be sinecure enough for you.

Isn't 'theoretical' or 'bleeding edge' chemistry more the domain of physics since the underlying or fundamental mechanisms are physical rather than chemical?

[hypervalent_iodine]

Another question, is it possible for chemistry to be theoretical? I mean, i guess experementing in labs could be fun but what really exites me is learning about new things and theories, ... I don't want to constantly do lab work. So

 

- Is there a theoretical part of chemistry? Also what career options are there assuming i don't like working in a lab as much as doing the theoretical part of chemistry?

There is computational chemistry, but there is a heavy physics / math component to this. It is nevertheless very interesting and increasingly important. Pretty much anything else involves heavy wet lab components.

 

Kahn academy is a good start. The books a lot of places use to start general chemistry are Zumdahl and Zumdahl, and / or Blackman. If you wanted to go further, Clayden's book on Organic Chemistry is fabulous, as is McMurry's. Shriver and Atkins have a good book for inorganic. I can't comment on phys chem, as I've always done my best to avoid it.

 

One thing I cannot recommend enough is to keep your toes in at least one other discipline, such as biology. It will be immensely helpful to you later on.