Chemistry
Varsity Tutors offers Chemistry tutoring in St. Louis, Chicago and Houston. We'll help you gain a strong understanding of the material through one-on-one tutoring at your home, a library, a café or anywhere that might convenient for you. Your Chemistry tutor will work with you to identify any trouble areas, encourage you to develop your strengths, and teach you how to succeed in Chemistry, so that you can appreciate this fascinating subject to the fullest and do well on your Chemistry exams.
What is Chemistry?
Chemistry is the branch of the natural sciences concerned with matter; the transformations it undergoes; and the energy exchanges which take place during those reactions. Important Chemistry terms include atoms, molecules, reaction, element, substance, compound, and catalyst. Your Chemistry tutor through Varsity Tutors will familiarize you with these and other important Chemistry concepts.
Chemistry is closely related to physics, in that they both study the properties of atoms and molecules. However, Chemistry focuses more on the interactions of different types of matter, while physics is more concerned with matter at the sub-atomic level. Some students find this distinction confusing at first, and this is an example of the type of question that you can bring to your tutor right away before going any further with your Chemistry studies. Your Chemistry tutor will talk through your question with you, identify the source of your confusion, and take the time to make sure you really "get it" before moving on to the next concept. This is only one of the many advantages of one-on-one tutoring.
Why study Chemistry?
One reason to study Chemistry is that it is a very old science with an unusual and exciting history. The idea of Chemistry began as far back as ancient Greece, when the Greeks—without the benefit of microscopes or computers—reasoned that there were such things as elements and atoms. Interest in Chemistry died down for a while after the Greeks, but it was revived in the Middle Ages by the alchemists. The alchemists were generally interested in the idea that matter could interact with other forms of matter in an interesting way, but they were particularly obsessed with the prospect of finding The Philosopher's Stone, a mysterious substance which they thought could turn lead into gold. The Philosopher's Stone was never found, but progress in Chemistry continued. Finally, in the late 1600's, Boyle's Law was discovered and modern Chemistry was born.
Since then, Chemistry has taken off, especially in the last century. Due to the invention of computers, with their ability to model atomic behavior, Chemistry—and all the inventions, medicines, and knowledge it has brought us—is now essential to modern life, as well as to modern science. In fact, as your tutor will explain to you, Chemistry is often called the "central science" because it links the other sciences together through its study of atoms. Accordingly, Chemistry is essential for studies in other sciences (including biology, environmental science, and physics), and Chemistry is a common major for those planning to go to medical school or work in the healthcare industry. Chemistry is also required for such important fields as anti-cancer research, environmental engineering, and food and safety. It's even required for some careers you might not expect, such as perfumist, brewer, criminologist, firefighter, patent officer, forester, art conservationist, and special effects technician. If you have any interest in these fields or how Chemistry is used in them, your Chemistry tutor can help you explore that interest.
Besides opening up a wide variety of career opportunities, a knowledge of Chemistry will also make you a more responsible person in life. For example, you'll know things such as why you shouldn't pour chemicals down the drain, why materials such as batteries and computers need to be disposed of at special facilities, and other practices related to public safety and protecting the environment. Another very important reason to study Chemistry is because it will allow you to make better decisions when you purchase medicines and other products for you and your family. Chemistry tutoring through Varsity Tutors is an excellent way to make sure you understand the principles of Chemistry and do your part as an informed citizen and consumer.
Although Chemistry can sound intimidating to the beginning student, Chemistry (along with Chemistry experiments!) can also be a lot of fun, as you will learn when you talk to your tutor about what you can expect from further studies in Chemistry. Chemistry is also a tool to solve many everyday problems, and it can be very satisfying to apply something you learned in Chemistry class to real life. Additionally, since everything you can touch or smell is a chemical, learning Chemistry will give you a deeper appreciation for your environment and how it works. Finally, one of the best things about Chemistry is that it will answer your questions. Many of the "why?" questions you may have asked yourself about the world will start to make sense. Why do leaves turn red in the Fall? Why does a match burn? What does aspirin do? In fact, for many students, the real fun in Chemistry doesn't come from the experiments, it comes from finally getting these answers! Together, you and your Chemistry tutor will find the answers to these and other questions, and you will know the true pleasure of studying Chemistry.
Call us today to learn more about our Chemistry tutors.
Additional Information
Chemistry 101 - What is Chemistry?
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