Math & Science Fundamentals
Learn or review basic math and science concepts. These fundamentals form the foundation for advanced study in chemistry, chemical engineering, and other physical sciences.
What Is Science?
If you are going to study science, it's probably a good idea to know what it is.
If you are going to study science, it's probably a good idea to know what it is.
What Is Biology?
Short answer: It's a science. It's the study of life. Do you want to learn more?
Short answer: It's a science. It's the study of life. Do you want to learn more?
What Is Chemistry?
Here are long and short answers to this Frequently Asked Question.
Here are long and short answers to this Frequently Asked Question.
What Is Chemical Engineering? What Do Chemical Engineers Do?
Are you confused about how chemical engineering differs from pure chemistry or other types of engineering? Here's an explanation of what chemical engineering is and what chemical engineers do.
Are you confused about how chemical engineering differs from pure chemistry or other types of engineering? Here's an explanation of what chemical engineering is and what chemical engineers do.
What Is Geology?
If you answered, 'the study of rocks' you are partly right.
If you answered, 'the study of rocks' you are partly right.
What Is Physics?
Like chemistry, physics is one of the physical sciences that seeks to explain the natural world. In fact, you could even define both sciences the same way. The primary difference between them is scale. Chemists tend to look at things on the atomic level; physicists study the universe from a macroscopic or subatomic perspective.
Like chemistry, physics is one of the physical sciences that seeks to explain the natural world. In fact, you could even define both sciences the same way. The primary difference between them is scale. Chemists tend to look at things on the atomic level; physicists study the universe from a macroscopic or subatomic perspective.
Chemistry Basics
Start learning chemistry with the basics. Learn what chemistry is, what chemists do, and why it's important to study chemistry.
Start learning chemistry with the basics. Learn what chemistry is, what chemists do, and why it's important to study chemistry.
6th Grade Science Quiz
6th grade science focuses on understanding how to do science, social and historical aspects of science, and many scientific facts and concepts. Here's a ten question multiple choice quiz you can take to see if you have mastered science at the 6th grade level.
6th grade science focuses on understanding how to do science, social and historical aspects of science, and many scientific facts and concepts. Here's a ten question multiple choice quiz you can take to see if you have mastered science at the 6th grade level.
-ology List of Sciences
An -ology is a discipline of study, as indicated by having the -ology suffix. This is a list of science ologies.
An -ology is a discipline of study, as indicated by having the -ology suffix. This is a list of science ologies.
Scientific Method
Science fair and research projects apply the scientific method. Here's an informal explanation of the scientific method and how it is used.
Science fair and research projects apply the scientific method. Here's an informal explanation of the scientific method and how it is used.
Science Quiz #1
How well do you know basic science? Here's a ten question multiple choice quiz you can take to test your knowledge.
How well do you know basic science? Here's a ten question multiple choice quiz you can take to test your knowledge.
Science Quiz #2
Here's another science quiz you can take to test your knowledge of general science trivia.
Here's another science quiz you can take to test your knowledge of general science trivia.
Science Quiz #3
Here's another general science quiz. I didn't go scouting for hard questions, though you may learn some science facts you did not know.
Here's another general science quiz. I didn't go scouting for hard questions, though you may learn some science facts you did not know.
Basic Model of the Atom
Are you confused about atoms, elements, protons, neutrons, electrons, isotopes, and ions? Here's a basic look at the model of the atom. It's a great overview for kids or anyone looking to grasp the essentials of atomic theory.
Are you confused about atoms, elements, protons, neutrons, electrons, isotopes, and ions? Here's a basic look at the model of the atom. It's a great overview for kids or anyone looking to grasp the essentials of atomic theory.
Scientific Notation
Scientific notation uses exponents to express numerical figures. Here's an explanation of what scientific notation is, plus examples of how to write numbers and perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems using scientific notation.
Scientific notation uses exponents to express numerical figures. Here's an explanation of what scientific notation is, plus examples of how to write numbers and perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems using scientific notation.
Angle Between Two Vectors and Vector Scalar Product
This is a worked example problem that shows how to find the angle between two vectors.
This is a worked example problem that shows how to find the angle between two vectors.
Area, Perimeter & Volume Formulas
Perimeter, surface area and volume formulas are used for many chemistry calculations. You may need to find surface area and volume to determine density and concentration, for example. While it's a good idea to memorize these formulas, here a list of formulas to use as a handy reference.
Perimeter, surface area and volume formulas are used for many chemistry calculations. You may need to find surface area and volume to determine density and concentration, for example. While it's a good idea to memorize these formulas, here a list of formulas to use as a handy reference.
Balancing Chemical Equations
Here is a step-by-step tutorial for balancing chemical equations, along with a worked example. This is a must-read for students of general and introductory chemistry!
Here is a step-by-step tutorial for balancing chemical equations, along with a worked example. This is a must-read for students of general and introductory chemistry!
Celsius to Kelvin Temperature Conversion
Here is an example problem that explains how to convert a temperature from degrees on the Celsius scale to Kelvin.
Here is an example problem that explains how to convert a temperature from degrees on the Celsius scale to Kelvin.
English to Metric Conversions - Unit Cancelling Method
Here is a worked example of how to convert English to Metric measurement units using the unit cancellation method. This example converts yards to meters.
Here is a worked example of how to convert English to Metric measurement units using the unit cancellation method. This example converts yards to meters.
Failing Chemistry - What to Do if You Are Failing Chemistry
Are you failing chemistry? Don't panic. Here's a look at what you can do and how you can make the best of the situation and possibly turn it around.
Are you failing chemistry? Don't panic. Here's a look at what you can do and how you can make the best of the situation and possibly turn it around.
Metric to Metric Conversions - Unit Cancelling Method
Here is a step by step example of a conversion between metric units. This illustrates how to cancel units to convert measurement units.
Here is a step by step example of a conversion between metric units. This illustrates how to cancel units to convert measurement units.
Metric Units - Base Units
The metric system or SI (from Le Système International d'Unités.) is based on seven base units. These units describe the basic properties on which all other measurements are based.
The metric system or SI (from Le Système International d'Unités.) is based on seven base units. These units describe the basic properties on which all other measurements are based.
Metric Units - Derived Metric Units
Many metric units used in science have specialized names for the values they represent. They are considered derived units and can still be reduced to factors of the seven base units. This table lists many of these units and their corresponding base unit values.
Many metric units used in science have specialized names for the values they represent. They are considered derived units and can still be reduced to factors of the seven base units. This table lists many of these units and their corresponding base unit values.
Metric Unit Prefixes
Metric units of measurement are all based on units of ten. Here is a list of the most common metric unit prefixes.
Metric units of measurement are all based on units of ten. Here is a list of the most common metric unit prefixes.
Thermometer with Celsius and Fahrenheit Degrees
This thermometer is labelled with both Fahrenheit and Celsius degrees. Use it to compare the Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature scales or to look up conversions between them.
This thermometer is labelled with both Fahrenheit and Celsius degrees. Use it to compare the Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature scales or to look up conversions between them.
Unit Conversions
These are examples of unit conversion problems, with links to other worked chemistry problems and homework help.
These are examples of unit conversion problems, with links to other worked chemistry problems and homework help.
Significant Figures in Measurements and Calculations
This article discusses the use of significant figures in taking measurements and performing calculations. Learn about significant figures, uncertainty, accuracy, precision, rounding, and truncating. Losing significant figures and effects of exact numbers are also described.
This article discusses the use of significant figures in taking measurements and performing calculations. Learn about significant figures, uncertainty, accuracy, precision, rounding, and truncating. Losing significant figures and effects of exact numbers are also described.
Mean or Average - Calculate the Mean
It's very important to know how to calculate the mean or average of a set of numbers. Among other things, this will allow you to calculate your grade point average. However, you'll need to calculate the mean for several other situations, too.
It's very important to know how to calculate the mean or average of a set of numbers. Among other things, this will allow you to calculate your grade point average. However, you'll need to calculate the mean for several other situations, too.
Calculating Concentration
Do the units for solution concentration confuse you? Get definitions and examples for calculating percent composition by mass, mole fraction, molarity, molality, and normality. I've also included a bit of information on dilutions.
Do the units for solution concentration confuse you? Get definitions and examples for calculating percent composition by mass, mole fraction, molarity, molality, and normality. I've also included a bit of information on dilutions.
Constants, Prefixes, Conversion Factors
This is a set of tables with some useful physical constants, conversion factors, and unit prefixes. They are used in many calculations in chemistry, as well as in physics and other sciences.
This is a set of tables with some useful physical constants, conversion factors, and unit prefixes. They are used in many calculations in chemistry, as well as in physics and other sciences.
Greek Alphabet
The Greek Alphabet is used extensively in science and mathematics to represent variables and symbols. This table lists all twenty four Greek letters in upper and lower case. Learning the names of these letters is easy and you may be surprised to find you already know them.
The Greek Alphabet is used extensively in science and mathematics to represent variables and symbols. This table lists all twenty four Greek letters in upper and lower case. Learning the names of these letters is easy and you may be surprised to find you already know them.
How to Clean Laboratory Glassware
Cleaning laboratory glassware isn't as simple as washing the dishes. Here's how to wash your glassware so that you won't ruin your chemical solution, laboratory experiment, or the glass.
Cleaning laboratory glassware isn't as simple as washing the dishes. Here's how to wash your glassware so that you won't ruin your chemical solution, laboratory experiment, or the glass.
How to Write a Lab Report
Lab reports are an essential part of all laboratory courses and usually a significant part of your grade. If your instructor gives you an outline for how to write a lab report, use that. Here's a format for a lab report you can use if you aren't sure what to write or need an explanation of what to include in the different parts of the report.
Lab reports are an essential part of all laboratory courses and usually a significant part of your grade. If your instructor gives you an outline for how to write a lab report, use that. Here's a format for a lab report you can use if you aren't sure what to write or need an explanation of what to include in the different parts of the report.
Index of Worked Chemistry Problems
This is a one-page index of all of the worked chemistry problems on the site, arranged alphabetically and also arranged according to the order in which they are (typically) presented in a general chemistry text.
This is a one-page index of all of the worked chemistry problems on the site, arranged alphabetically and also arranged according to the order in which they are (typically) presented in a general chemistry text.
Javascript Periodic Table of the Elements
This is an interactive javascript periodic table of the elements. Click on an symbol on the periodic table to get facts about the element.
This is an interactive javascript periodic table of the elements. Click on an symbol on the periodic table to get facts about the element.
Laws of Chemistry
Here's a reference page that describes the major laws of chemistry.
Here's a reference page that describes the major laws of chemistry.
Printable Chemistry Worksheets
This is a collection of chemistry worksheets in pdf format. The answers to the questions are available on separate worksheets so you can fill them out and then check your work.
This is a collection of chemistry worksheets in pdf format. The answers to the questions are available on separate worksheets so you can fill them out and then check your work.
Scientific Law, Hypothesis, Theory Definitions
Words have very specific meanings in chemistry and other sciences. Learn about the difference between a scientific law, hypothesis, and theory. Examples are provided for each term.
Words have very specific meanings in chemistry and other sciences. Learn about the difference between a scientific law, hypothesis, and theory. Examples are provided for each term.
Significant Figures
These are examples of significant figure, accuracy, and precision problems, with links to other worked chemistry problems and homework help.
These are examples of significant figure, accuracy, and precision problems, with links to other worked chemistry problems and homework help.
States of Matter
Get definitions and examples of the main states of matter: solids, liquids, gases, and plasma.
Get definitions and examples of the main states of matter: solids, liquids, gases, and plasma.
Table of Physical Constants
Need a value for a fundamental physical constant? This handy reference table contains commonly used physical constants used in chemistry.
Need a value for a fundamental physical constant? This handy reference table contains commonly used physical constants used in chemistry.
Temperature Conversions
These are examples of temperature conversion problems, with links to other worked chemistry problems and homework help.
These are examples of temperature conversion problems, with links to other worked chemistry problems and homework help.
Unit Conversion Worksheets
Use these printable worksheets to practice unit conversions. These pdf questions and answers will test your understanding of metric-metric, metric-English, and temperature conversions.
Use these printable worksheets to practice unit conversions. These pdf questions and answers will test your understanding of metric-metric, metric-English, and temperature conversions.
What Is a Chemical Element?
Get the definition for a chemical element.
Get the definition for a chemical element.
What Is a Chemical?
Are you wondering what makes a chemical a chemical? Here's the answer to this frequently asked chemistry question.
Are you wondering what makes a chemical a chemical? Here's the answer to this frequently asked chemistry question.
What Is a Mole and Why Are Moles Used?
No, we're not talking about the small burrowing mammal! Here's a look at a standard unit in chemistry and why it's used.
No, we're not talking about the small burrowing mammal! Here's a look at a standard unit in chemistry and why it's used.
What Is Absolute Zero?
Learn about absolute zero and the Kelvin and Celsius temperature scales.
Learn about absolute zero and the Kelvin and Celsius temperature scales.
What Is Distillation?
Distillation is a common chemistry process used to separate materials by changing their states of matter. Learn more about how the process works and find out about different types of distillations.
Distillation is a common chemistry process used to separate materials by changing their states of matter. Learn more about how the process works and find out about different types of distillations.