Chemistry Made Simple

By Matthew MacariouScience Education Natural Sciences Chemistry

Chemistry Made Simple episodes

October 05, 2021 Why the Mole is the Most Important College Chemistry Concept
Show notes here very soon - check back
Want to know more, or support the show? Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode patreon.com/chemistrymadesimple
8 min
September 07, 2021Is A-Level Chemistry Really THAT difficult?
Studying chemistry in sixth form can't really be as difficult as people make out, can it?
Whether you're just thinking about studying chemistry at A-Level or Highers, whether you've committed to do so, or whether you've already started your course you will be aware of all the rumours and worries about what it's like and how difficult it is.
In this episode we look at these questions and concerns about A-Level chemistry:
The chemistry is a big step up!
Is memorising the syllabus enough?
Is it starting again in chemistry?
Did GCSE chemistry lie to me?
Does getting a good GCSE grade mean I'll get a good A-Level grade?
There's a lot of calculations
The maths is very hard
the exams are very difficult and require lots of understanding

Hear my golden rule about getting all the exam marks you deserve.
I also give quick tips of what you should include in your answers.
Find out how I can help you throughout your chemistry A-Level here.
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Want to know more, or support the show? Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode patreon.com/chemistrymadesimple
Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy

Contact me:
Instagram @chemistrymadesimple
Email [email protected]
Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.
14 min
June 01, 2021What Is Titration and How Does it Work?
In this episode:
Introduction to titration - what is it?
Types of titration
Apparatus required
How to do titrations
Doing the calculation

Read the accompanying article.
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Want to know more, or support the show? Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode patreon.com/chemistrymadesimple
Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy

Contact me:
Instagram @chemistrymadesimple
Email [email protected]
Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.
13 min
May 11, 2021Everything About Acidic Buffers : Composition, How They Work, and How To Do Calculations
In this episode:
Introduction to buffers- what are they
What are acidic buffers made from?
How do acidic buffers work
How acidic buffers are prepared
Assumptions when using the acid dissociation constant, Ka, with acidic buffers
Those tricky calculations....

Read the full show notes here.
Suggested listening:
Episode 10 explains the calculations required with weak acids and the acid dissociation constant, Ka.
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Want to know more, or support the show? Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode patreon.com/chemistrymadesimple
Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy

Contact me:
Instagram @chemistrymadesimple
Email [email protected]

Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.
13 min
May 06, 2021 Bonus Episode: How to Recognise a Weak Acid?
This bonus episode gives you five things to look for to help you identify whether an acid is a weak acid.
Your exam question is unlikely to spell that out for you. Very unlikely indeed. Here are the simple things to look for that will put you one step ahead of the examiner!
Suggested listening:
Episode 9 which introduces the difference between a strong acid and a weak acid and defines how to calculate pH.
Episode 10 which explains the calculations required with weak acids and the acid dissociation constant, Ka.
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Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy

Contact me:
Instagram @chemistrymadesimple
Email [email protected]
Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.
Want to know more, or support the show? Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode patreon.com/chemistrymadesimple
6 min
April 26, 2021Using the Acid Dissociation Constant Ka with Weak Acids
Read the full show notes
In this episode we simplify:
What is the acid dissociation constant, Ka
Calculating pH from the H+ concentration
Calculating the H+ concentration from pH
Calculate acid concentration [HA] for a weak acid
Calculate the acid dissociation constant, Ka

It's really not as difficult as it seems. Listen in and get chemistry confident.
Suggested listening: Also listen to episode 9 which introduces the difference between a strong acid and a weak acid and defines how to calculate pH.
Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.
Want to know more, or support the show? Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode patreon.com/chemistrymadesimple
15 min
April 13, 2021Strong Acids, Weak Acids and pH
Read the full show notes
In this episode we:
define acids (and bases)
discuss why acids are SO reactive
define and compare weak acids and strong acids (and talk about the common mistake made)
talk about why pH is useful, and define how to calculate it

Suggested listening: Also listen to episode 10 which discusses the assumptions used when making calculations involving weak acids, and introduces the acid dissociation constant.
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Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy

Contact me:
Instagram @chemistrymadesimple
Email [email protected]
Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.
Want to know more, or support the show? Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode patreon.com/chemistrymadesimple
9 min
March 30, 2021 How To Use the Equilibrium Constant Kc
In this episode we consider how to quantify the position of equilibrium using the equilibrium constant Kc.
We also talk through which changes of conditions cause a change in Kc value, and which don't. This will be something that will come up in your exams!
You can read the article How to Use the Equilibrium Constant Kc
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Want to know more, or support the show? Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode patreon.com/chemistrymadesimple

Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy

Contact me:
Instagram @chemistrymadesimple
Email [email protected]
12 min
March 16, 2021 What are Equilibria and Reversible Reactions?
Read the show notes and article Equilibria and Reversible Reactions
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Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy

Contact me:
Instagram @chemistrymadesimple
Email [email protected]
Want to know more, or support the show? Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode patreon.com/chemistrymadesimple
15 min
March 02, 2021 What are Isotopes?
Read the companion article What are Isotopes?
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Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy

Contact me:
Instagram @chemistrymadesimple
Email [email protected]
Want to know more, or support the show? Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode patreon.com/chemistrymadesimple
8 min