I think that learning the theory of chromatography and spectroscopy techniques is mainly just memory work- consult both textbooks, others' notes etc. So in that sense it is not too bad. What people find difficult is the interpretation of chromatograms, and readouts from the various instruments- which is what is generally given more marks on the exam. So, in order to maximize your marks on the application side of these topics, I would suggest doing selected review questions (some of them are badly written and not likely to appear on an exam) in conjunction with Checkpoints, Neap or Lisachem books that give you really good targeted practice. Personally I found holidays the best time to cover the most content, and leave more application practice to during the term. Hope this helps
I think it would also be helpful to know what exactly goes on in these techniques. Like, for instance, how NMR actually works. They could certainly ask questions on that.
Interpretations of chromatograms, I think, is relatively straightforward in comparison as doing enough practice questions should help you with that. Most of my practice came through Checkpoints and I think it helped.
Thanks guys;
Can someone also please help me with gravimetric analysis. Last week I did all the gravimetric analysis questions, but not in the best of ways (kept making mistakes). So I did some more questions today to make up, and had a bit of trouble. My method of answering these questions are;
- Read the question carefully, find the precipitate, write down a fully balanced equation
- After writing down the equation, write down everything you have
- Use mole ratios to convert whatever you have to what you need
Is that method alright? I don't know why but I'm getting heaps of grav-questions wrong. Any help/tips appreciated!
I think the easiest way of thinking about gravimetric analysis questions is to keep a mental track of where the heck the ions are going. For instance, in last year's chemistry exam, there was a question that asked to find the % by mass of calcium ions in a CaO ore. We were given the mass of calcium oxalate precipitated after treating the calcium oxide with oxalic acid. The simplest way to go about a question like this is to realise that all of the calcium ions in CaO appear in CaC
2O
4, so you can then easily work out mole ratios. Gravimetric analysis is essentially extended stoichiometry IMO.