I first became interested in chemistry in my sophomore year. While I’d taken a very basic course in the subject in eighth grade and enjoyed it, this chemistry course explained much more about the world. As my class learned about gas laws and molecular bonds, my liking for the subject began to rise, climaxing in a moment I still remember today.
Normally tests are stressful affairs, as the shadow of your grades lurks above you throughout the entire ordeal. Sophomore year’s unit test on chemical formulas, however, proved quite the opposite. As I finished balancing the last reaction, a sudden epiphany flashed into my brain.
The test seemed actually...fun.
Prior to that split second in time, “test” and “fun” had been irreconcilable. But, something about adding integers in front of ammonium ions turned an experience I normally dreaded into something I would have gladly done again.
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Through this class, despite the tests being much harder, my chemical knowledge continues to expand as we review old concepts like concentration in addition to new ideas like redox reactions. Though the difficulty has increased, I haven’t lost my awe for the subject; experiments dissolving dimes in acid and creating handwarmers from scratch still capture my interest the same way our sophomore experiments did two years ago.
In the future, I plan on taking my enthusiasm for chemistry into college and beyond, with the end goal of earning a doctorate. In addition to the rules and laws of the science, I have also learned how chemistry can be used to help others, from hand warmers to power plants. In college and graduate school, I hope to widen my knowledge far enough that I too can give back to the world using my knowledge of chemistry. Earth has problems that need solving, and while chemistry can’t fix them all, it’s a good place to
Unit 7: Chemical Reactions: Students will understand the basic concepts of reactions, bonding, the “mole” and how this relates to the law of conversion of matter.
Everything from the kinetics of second order decomposition reactions to the electromotive force of the redox reactions in a voltaic cell. I soon discovered my interest to work in a lab setting from this class. I aspire to be part of this program to further my knowledge of the laboratory, including new procedures and
I've always loved learning, especially math. Math has always come easy to me. Science also has never been challenging enough so I took Chemistry this year and I am planning to take physics next years. Chemistry is very challenging for me and I've had thoughts of dropping out of it, but I pushed myself and forced myself not to give
My current area of interest is in the engineering and the biomedical field. After experiencing the rigorous AP Chemistry course, I was able to find my passion in the field of medicine. Furthermore, I had already developed an interest in engineering from my previous engineering courses and clubs, so a deeper understanding of what I wanted to do was discovered in a chemistry lab. Being involved with the Technology Student Association at our institution, I learned several different skills in a variety of technical fields. This led to my conclusion that I wanted to become a biomedical engineering. This field of engineering incorporates both the medical aspect and technical aspect of what I want to become in the future.
I have always been inspired by the workings of chemistry and mathematics. My studies of these subjects have developed my understanding and have made me pursue my interest in these two topics. I want to take up chemistry as it involves a large amount of mathematics which I value and understand to be challenging, yet very enjoyable, as there is always an alternative route to obtain the answer. Additionally, I am drawn to the course because it is a mixture of all these exacting subjects, forming a degree that is very demanding and stimulating. Chemists are constantly thinking of new ways to produce viable drugs containing different isomers to improve the pharmaceutical sector using mathematical equations. Chemistry is about innovation, applying information to new areas and how to do things better than they were before, the degree appeals to and fascinates me.
The Cartoon Guide to Chemistry by Larry Gonick and Craig Criddle is a non-fiction book that utilizes visual images and cartoons to cover the basics and intricacies of Chemistry. It consists of two-hundred and fifty-six pages and was published by Collins Reference on May 3, 2005. It covers topics such as chemicals reactions, solutions, acid basis, and chemical thermodynamics in unique fashion that makes chemistry fun and easy to learn as well as understand. The book has no consistent build up or story to it. It simply moves from chemistry subject A to chemistry subject B, explaining the various components that make up the subject of chemistry.
Smith, Roland. Conquering Chemsitry: HSC course. 4th ed. Vol. 1. N/A: Cengage Learning Australia, 2010. 74-90. 1 vols. Print.
Dr. Joe Schwarcz’ main purpose for writing this book was to increase the public’s knowledge and appreciation for science and chemistry. He also seeks to present the relevance of science to our day-to-day lives. His primary goal is to entertain and educate the reader with stories about problems that we encounter in our everyday lives like stains, cooking, or dangerous items and substances.
Ever since I began studying science and mathematics at all levels of educations I have always had an interest in the production of useful materials. In the growing turmoil of today; a world full of global warming and diminishing resources, questions often arise in my mind such as, "can we make a more efficient, more durable and a renewable resource that will overshadow fossil fuels? and have less of an impact on our environment?" Up to now, I have not found a solution to these questions and answering these questions is a personal aspiration of mine which I aim to fulfil by achieving a degree in Chemical engineering and eventually I will contribute to the field in my own unique way. The debate surrounding sustainable energy fascinates me, having recently learned from personal research I have understood what an authoritative role chemists and chemical engineers play in the industry at the present time and how, by working as a team, they contribute to an improved future for the whole world. However, one of the main reasons that has single-mindedly driven me this far to want to study chemical engineering is a book I have read, “Beyond the Molecular Frontier: Challenges for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering” While reading this book, I had solidified my understandings of what chemical engineering is all about. Also, one of the main processes mentioned was polymerisation and is something I already study in A-level chemistry, it is something that not only interests me, but is a personal career aspiration of mine. Reading this book gave me a determination to be the person who helps improve the future of the industry and provide an answer to the questions I always ask myself by studying this degree.
Guch, I. (2003). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chemistry. New York: Alpha, Penguin Group Inc.
Though many people fail to realize it, chemistry is a subject essential to everyday life, due to the fact that it is the branch of science that deals with the identification of the substances of which matter is composed. But what we must understand is that everything in the universe is composed of matter, hence chemistry is necessary in learning more about the world and universe that we live in. There are many careers and fields affiliated with chemistry that people pursue to learn more about the composition of the universe, but for now, let us examine the logistics of three of these careers. These three careers involving chemistry are geochemistry, environmental chemistry, and chemical engineering.
From the unit of chemistry in grade ten science, the students have learned many things from different types of elements in the chart all the way to how each element impacts the daily life each student or even adult lives in. Some of the things I as a student have learned include how to draw the different elements in a bohr rutherford diagram, balancing chemical equations, types of chemical reactions, and even information about the different types of acids and bases. Although there were many other things in the unit, these four definately helped me learn about chemistry in a more in-depth way, as well as teaching me something very new since these were some things a few of the students had never done in the previous years. Learning this in the classroom has really opened my eyes to the world in which we live in today, many times I leave the house on a cold day and as I look upon the cold water becoming ice or even the snow falling down, I know how it is happening, why it is happening, and I can even picture the molecules solidifying as we had seen in class with many different diagrams.
Poliakoff, M., Fitzpatrick, J. M., Farren, T. R., & Anastas, P. T. (2002). "Green Chemistry: Science and Politics of Change." Science, 297, 807-810.
Throughout my school career I have always loved chemistry. In Chemistry there was always a sense that there was more, there was always something new and exciting to be discovered and theories to be proven (or even disproven). Chemistry was the main subject with a real practical aspect to it during school and it is this, along with my genuine fascination with the subject, which fuels my desire to study it further.
The growing relevance of Chemical Engineering in today’s world, from energy & oil industries to pharmaceuticals & biotechnology, and a keen desire for applying this knowledge in interrelated spheres motivates me to pursue a Master’s degree in this field. My interest in science goes back to the time when I was in school. We had a young and enthusiastic teacher who took us on field trips and visits to science fairs and museums. This nascent interest has only burgeoned through my years in school and high school, as I have learnt more about the subject. In the long run, I see myself as a part of a leading research group, either as a faculty member or in the R&D department of an organisation contributing my bit to the field of Chemical Engineering. As a research scientist, I hope to make a difference in this field and learn more through the innovative challenges.