If you're ready to start working with physical chemistry tutors as you pursue your academic goals, Varsity Tutors can help you find a knowledgeable private instructor in as little as 24 hours. Physical chemistry may be defined as the study of matter, especially how it behaves at the molecular and atomic level, as well as how chemical reactions actually occur. It is an extremely practical discipline, with uses in developing electronics, plastics, ceramics, and a variety of other materials.
Physical chemistry is often combined with other subjects. Most physical chemistry classes stress these interdisciplinary applications to give students a better idea of what a physical chemist actually does. Of course, looking at a little bit of everything can make your class feel completely overwhelming. If you feel like you need professional assistance to make the most of the educational opportunities available to you, let us find you a physical chemistry tutor today. Keep reading to learn more about how we may be able to help you.
What kinds of concepts can I review with physical chemistry tutors?
According to the American Chemical Society (ACS), some of the biggest topics in physical chemistry include thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, quantum mechanics, and spectroscopy. Here is a brief overview of what each of these terms signifies:
1. Thermodynamics
Chemical thermodynamics is the study of how entropy influences chemical reactions, a field that has been responsible for most of the scientific breakthroughs in the field of physical chemistry. Physical chemists also work with statistical thermodynamics, the art of predicting how a group of microscopic particles will behave using statistics. Another key concept in this field is equilibrium, or the point at which there is no longer any macro-level flow of either matter or energy in a thermodynamic system, absent the intervention of an outside force.
2. Chemical Kinetics
Chemical kinetics are simply the study of the rates at which chemical reactions occur. There are many factors that play a role, including heat, light, concentration, and the physical state of the reactants. For example, the higher the concentration of molecules, the more often they will collide: speeding up reaction times.
3. Quantum Mechanics
Quantum mechanics are a fundamental concept in physics used to predict the behavior of matter and energy at the smallest possible scale. Unlike classical physics which concentrate exclusively on macro-level behavior, quantum physics deal with particles that have the properties of energy waves and physical matter. All particles are assumed to have a discrete value, but it can be difficult to ascertain because of how small they are (defying conventional measurement methods). This is one of the more abstract concepts associated with physical chemistry.
4. Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy can be defined as the study of the interactions between matter and electromagnetic radiation, whether from visible light, matter waves, acoustic waves, or even gravitational waves. It is useful because it allows scientists to study matter at an atomic level even from astronomical distances, though it can also be used in a more traditional lab setting.
How can physical chemistry tutors help me build a better understanding of these concepts?
Your classroom professor does everything they can to foster an effective learning environment, but the presence of other students limits how much individualized attention any one student can receive. Worse, your class is bound by a syllabus that was written before your professor even met you, meaning that it fails to take your specific needs into account. In contrast, private physical chemistry tutoring revolves around your needs.
For instance, let's say that you have an exceptional understanding of thermodynamics. If other students in your class are struggling with it, your professor needs to keep going over it no matter how bored you get as a result. A private physical chemistry tutor can gloss over it, moving onto a new subject to keep your study sessions as engaging as possible. Alternatively, let's say that you are having a harder time with quantum mechanics. Your professor might have to move on at some point to get to everything in the syllabus, but a private instructor can slow things down and provide alternate examples and explanations to help you achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the concept.
Your physical chemistry tutoring sessions can also be designed around your preferred learning style for added efficiency. For example, a visual learner might be able to get a lot out of informative graphics and other visual aids that help illustrate key points. An auditory student might not derive the same benefit from these tools, so their instructor may adopt a discussion format to better suit their individualized needs. If you are a kinesthetic learner who studies best by doing, your instructor can even guide you through at-home experiments to bring key concepts to life in a hands-on manner. There is no one universal way to study physical chemistry, so why not study in a manner that sets you up for success?
Likewise, working in a private learning environment also entails several advantages. First and foremost, you are your physical chemistry tutor's only student during your study sessions. This gives you the opportunity to forge a personal rapport that may make it easier for you to ask for help as needed. Any questions you have can also be addressed promptly, ensuring that you can seek needed clarification before a misunderstanding can spiral out of control. Best of all, your completed work can be returned to you quickly with constructive feedback, allowing you to review any mistakes while the material is still fresh in your mind.
Some students also take advantage of private physical chemistry tutoring sessions to build their broader study skills. For example, there is a lot of math involved in physical chemistry. Thermodynamic equations involve the extensive use of calculus, while statistical thermodynamics obviously add statistical concepts to the mix. If your math skills aren't up to the task, your instructor can provide practice problems about the specific concepts you need to work on to help you feel more confident.
Likewise, physical chemistry students often have dense textbooks to read, while professional physical chemists need to stay up to date on the latest scholarship in their field. If you could retain more of what you read, your instructor may demonstrate active reading skills to promote better engagement with the material. For example, taking notes as you go along prevents your mind from wandering while you're trying to study and forces you to think about a concept more than once as you articulate it on paper. You can also make note of any questions you have for your instructor so that you remember to ask when the time is right.
Scientists need to be able to communicate their finding with their colleagues, so your written communication skills may also be put to the test. Your instructor can show you how to sketch an effective outline to organize your analysis, making your results easier for others to follow. Working from an outline can also save valuable time, as you have a convenient point of reference to consult if you forget a key piece of data.
What are the benefits of studying physical chemistry?
Learning physical chemistry can prepare you for a variety of in-demand careers, including material scientist, government researcher, and the energy industry. The experience you gain from thinking critically about scientific phenomena can also help prepare you for virtually any career that requires thinking.
You may also need to take a standardized test about physical chemistry in order to pursue your goals. For example, the ACS offers a test you might need to take. If you've never been the best test-taker, your instructor can show you how to tackle the exam one question at a time to reduce any test anxiety you may be experiencing.
What makes Varsity Tutors such an incredible resource?
If you had to try to find a private instructor on your own, you would need to verify that any prospective teacher had the knowledge of physical chemistry you are searching for. You would also need to make sure that they have the communication skills required to share that information effectively. Finally, you would need to see if your schedule is compatible with any potential instructor's. Who has time for all of that?
Instead, simply tell us what you need and when you need it so we can find you somebody who checks all of your boxes without the hassle. Better yet, our proprietary Live Learning Platform is mobile-friendly, allowing you to receive face-to-face instruction anywhere with a stable internet connection. That's right, you no longer need to worry about commuting anywhere just to meet with your instructor. You don't need to worry about efficacy either, as our Platform leverages powerful features such as a virtual whiteboard and video chat functionality for that personal touch.
You are always in complete control over when your sessions take place, so you can keep up with everything else in your life as you pursue educational success. Contact Varsity Tutors today to speak with a knowledgeable Educational Consultant who can answer any questions you have about working with physical chemistry tutors!
