how to solve any chemistry problem

• Awards Season
• Big Stories
• Pop Culture
• Video Games
• Celebrities

Sudoku for Beginners: How to Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills

Are you a beginner when it comes to solving Sudoku puzzles? Do you find yourself frustrated and unsure of where to start? Fear not, as we have compiled a comprehensive guide on how to improve your problem-solving skills through Sudoku.

Understanding the Basics of Sudoku

Before we dive into the strategies and techniques, let’s first understand the basics of Sudoku. A Sudoku puzzle is a 9×9 grid that is divided into nine smaller 3×3 grids. The objective is to fill in each row, column, and smaller grid with numbers 1-9 without repeating any numbers.

Starting Strategies for Beginners

As a beginner, it can be overwhelming to look at an empty Sudoku grid. But don’t worry. There are simple starting strategies that can help you get started. First, look for any rows or columns that only have one missing number. Fill in that number and move on to the next row or column with only one missing number. Another strategy is looking for any smaller grids with only one missing number and filling in that number.

Advanced Strategies for Beginner/Intermediate Level

Once you’ve mastered the starting strategies, it’s time to move on to more advanced techniques. One technique is called “pencil marking.” This involves writing down all possible numbers in each empty square before making any moves. Then use logic and elimination techniques to cross off impossible numbers until you are left with the correct answer.

Another advanced technique is “hidden pairs.” Look for two squares within a row or column that only have two possible numbers left. If those two possible numbers exist in both squares, then those two squares must contain those specific numbers.

Benefits of Solving Sudoku Puzzles

Not only is solving Sudoku puzzles fun and challenging, but it also has many benefits for your brain health. It helps improve your problem-solving skills, enhances memory and concentration, and reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

In conclusion, Sudoku is a great way to improve your problem-solving skills while also providing entertainment. With these starting and advanced strategies, you’ll be able to solve even the toughest Sudoku puzzles. So grab a pencil and paper and start sharpening those brain muscles.

This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.

MORE FROM ASK.COM

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications

How to Solve a Chemistry Problem

Last Updated: October 4, 2023

This article was co-authored by Anne Schmidt . Anne Schmidt is a Chemistry Instructor in Wisconsin. Anne has been teaching high school chemistry for over 20 years and is passionate about providing accessible and educational chemistry content. She has over 9,000 subscribers to her educational chemistry YouTube channel. She has presented at the American Association of Chemistry Teachers (AATC) and was an Adjunct General Chemistry Instructor at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Anne was published in the Journal of Chemical Education as a Co-Author, has an article in ChemEdX, and has presented twice and was published with the AACT. Anne has a BS in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, and an MA in Secondary Education and Teaching from Viterbo University. This article has been viewed 14,294 times.

Chemistry problems can vary in many different ways. Some questions are conceptual and others are quantitative. Each problem requires its own approach, and each has a different way to solve it correctly. What you can do is make a set of steps that can help us with any problems that you come across in the field of chemistry. Using these steps should help give you a guideline to working on any chemistry problem you encounter.

Starting the Problem

Finishing the Problem

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about chemistry, check out our in-depth interview with Anne Schmidt .

• https://www.verywellfamily.com/teach-kids-problem-solving-skills-1095015
• https://schoolbag.info/chemistry/mcat/38.html

About This Article

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Paul Njenga

Nov 29, 2021

Did this article help you?

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Don’t miss out! Sign up for

wikiHow’s newsletter

• For a new problem, you will need to begin a new live expert session.
• You can contact support with any questions regarding your current subscription.
• You will be able to enter math problems once our session is over.
• I am only able to help with one math problem per session. Which problem would you like to work on?
• Does that make sense?
• I am currently working on this problem.
• Are you still there?
• It appears we may have a connection issue. I will end the session - please reconnect if you still need assistance.
• Let me take a look...
• Can you please send an image of the problem you are seeing in your book or homework?
• If you click on "Tap to view steps..." you will see the steps are now numbered. Which step # do you have a question on?
• Please make sure you are in the correct subject. To change subjects, please exit out of this live expert session and select the appropriate subject from the menu located in the upper left corner of the Mathway screen.
• What are you trying to do with this input?
• While we cover a very wide range of problems, we are currently unable to assist with this specific problem. I spoke with my team and we will make note of this for future training. Is there a different problem you would like further assistance with?
• Mathway currently does not support this subject. We are more than happy to answer any math specific question you may have about this problem.
• Mathway currently does not support Ask an Expert Live in Chemistry. If this is what you were looking for, please contact support.
• Mathway currently only computes linear regressions.
• We are here to assist you with your math questions. You will need to get assistance from your school if you are having problems entering the answers into your online assignment.
• Phone support is available Monday-Friday, 9:00AM-10:00PM ET. You may speak with a member of our customer support team by calling 1-800-876-1799.
• Have a great day!
• Hope that helps!
• You're welcome!
• Per our terms of use, Mathway's live experts will not knowingly provide solutions to students while they are taking a test or quiz.

Please ensure that your password is at least 8 characters and contains each of the following:

• a special character: @$#!%*?&

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

3 Chemical Problem Solving Strategies

Video Transcript

Unit Analysis and Problem Solving

Original quantity x conversion factor = equivalent quantity for example converting between length units given that 1 meter = 39.37 inches conversion factors or the same relationship, just invert as necessary to give you the units you need, calculations: using unit analysis.

The more you use the “long method” of converting units, the fewer errors you will make!

Problem Solving Examples

How many moles of oxygen atoms are there in a 10 ml volume of water, convert volume of water to moles of oxygen.

= There are 0.55 moles of oxygen atoms. Always Check Units!

Problems set, below are two documents. one is practice problems, the second is the same problems with solutions. they can be downloaded and changed to suit your needs..

Be Prepared! Everything you should know for 1st year Chemistry Copyright © by Andrew Vreugdenhil and Kelly Wright is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book

• Tips and Tricks

7 Tips To Approach problems In Physical Chemistry

Chemistry is undoubtedly the easiest of the three subjects. The questions aren’t very challenging. Most of them are fact based. Of the three sections viz. Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry requires the least amount of effort from your side. And that is why it is important to master it. Because you can’t afford to lose marks where everyone else is doing good. Physical Chemistry is more about understanding the concept and knowing the key results than about memorizing. If you are conceptually sound, then this part of chemistry should be comfortable for you. It is also handy to know a few tips and tricks which can considerably reduce your effort. Here are some tips to excel in physical chemistry.

Tips To Excel In Physical Chemistry:

Remember the constants:.

This is something that comes in really handy in physical chemistry. Many questions involve calculations. Most of these questions involve the use of certain constants over and over again. So if you have performed numerous calculations with those numbers then you will certainly be able to do the math very quickly in the examination. You should have an idea of how to make approximations in calculations involving these numbers. For example, value of the universal gas constant R in SI units is 8.314. The value 25/3(8.333…) is pretty close to this value. It would be much easier to work with the latter than the former in questions. So you can try to think of other such approximations for familiar constants. They are very useful in questions involving tiresome calculations.

Keep Practicing:

Practice makes you perfect. And physical chemistry is no exception to this adage. Physical chemistry involves a fair bit of calculations. So it is extremely essential to practice problems. As you practice more, you become familiar with the numbers and the constants that are involved in the problems. That helps you do lightning quick calculations in the papers. Needless to say it will also help you comprehend the problem faster in the paper. You will also become familiar with the common traps that are set in the questions for students to fall in, thereby increasing your chances of avoiding making that mistake in the actual paper. So practicing a lot is one of the key ingredients of success in Physical Chemistry.

Give importance to Theoretical Understanding:

While you should definitely give a lot of emphasis to practice, one must not neglect the importance of studying the theoretical part. Very often students, despite knowing each and every formula, struggle in physical chemistry because they neglect the theoretical understanding.  You have to be very thorough with the theory or more often than not you may find yourself stuck on a question with no idea how to proceed. You must have a detailed understanding of every formula you study. You should know when it is valid and when it is not. There are a lot of good reference books for theory. The NCERT textbook is quite good as far as JEE Mains is concerned and should be sufficient. You can also refer other books however there is a chance that they might dwell into something beyond the scope of JEE Mains.

Be thorough with Concepts of Equilibrium:

The concepts in Chemical and Ionic Equilibrium are an inseparable part of Physical Chemistry. They will occur time and again in different topics. So you should understand them thoroughly. Be very clear about the concept of the equilibrium constant. In Ionic Equilibrium know what approximations are usually made. The calculation part is the trickiest in ionic equilibrium. Make sure you understand each and every step.

Do not neglect the chapters like surface chemistry and solid state chemistry:

Students often neglect these chapters because they are taught toward the end of the JEE preparation. A student is saturated by then and doesn’t get the motivation to study these chapters well. But it is important to not neglect these as they are frequently targeted by the examiners, especially surface chemistry. The questions asked from these chapters are often easy but as students haven’t prepared well they miss out on easy marks. So prepare well for these as it will give you an edge over the majority of students.

Keep Revising:

Revision is very important in Physical Chemistry or any subject for that matter, for retaining the concepts learned. You should do cumulative revisions at regular periods. It might seem to take up a lot of time initially but later it will happen quickly. A good way to revise is to solve a few papers. This will help you recollect the little details in any topic and simultaneously give you practice which is essential to master physical chemistry.

Solve Past-Papers:

Solving past papers is another essential component of exam preparation. You get an idea of the kind of questions that are asked in the examination. This helps you adjust your preparation according to the style of the examination. Sometimes you might also learn some new concepts from them. JEE Advanced is known for testing conceptual understanding of the students so solving JEE Advanced papers will definitely help you in that regard.

It is certainly not difficult to master physical chemistry. Just stick to the basics and you’ll certainly do well.

You can also check out some tips to crack organic chemistry .

Tired of hunting for solutions? We have it all

Access 300,000+ questions with solutions curated by top rankers.

• India [+91]

Let’s understand the PH definition

Chemistry Class 11: Syllabus, Notes and Much More!

Class 9: Atoms and Molecules

Request a Free 60 minute counselling session at your home

358,177,393

• Research Matters — to the Science Teacher

Problem Solving in Chemistry

One of the major difficulties in teaching introductory chemistry courses is helping students become efficient problem solvers. Most beginning chemistry students find this one of the most difficulty aspects of the introductory chemistry course. What does research tell us about problem solving in chemistry? Just why do students have such difficulty in solving chemistry problems? Are some ways of teaching students to solve problems more effective than others? Problem solving in any area is a very complex process. It involves an understanding of the language in which the problem is stated, the interpretation of what is given in the problem and what is sought, an understanding of the science concepts involved in the solution, and the ability to perform mathematical operations if these are involved in the problem. The first requirement for successful problem solving is that the problem solver understand the meaning of the problem. In order to do so there must be an understanding of the vocabulary and its usage in the problem. There are two types of words that occur in problems, ordinary words that science teachers generally assume that students know and more technical terms that require understanding of concepts specific to the discipline. Researchers have found that many students do not know the meaning of common words such as contrast, displace, diversity, factor, fundamental, incident, negligible, relevant, relative, spontaneous and valid. Slight changes in the way a problem is worded may make a difference in whether a students is able to solve it correctly. For example, when "least" is changed to "most" in a problem, the percentage getting the question correct may increase by 25%. Similar improvements occur for changing negative to positive forms, for rewording long and complex questions, and for changing from the passive to the active voice. Although teachers would like students to solve problems in whatever way they are framed they must be cognizant of the fact that these subtle changes will make a difference in students' success in solving problems. From several research studies on problem solving in chemistry, it is clear that the major reason why students are unable to solve problems is that they do not understand the concepts on which the problems are based. Studies that compare the procedures used by students who are inexperienced in solving problems with experts show that experts were able to retrieve relevant concepts more readily from their long term memory. Studies have also shown that experts concepts are linked to one another in a network. Experts spend a considerable period of time planning the strategy that will be used to solve the problem whereas novices jump right in using a formula or trying to apply an algorithm. In the past few years, science educators have been trying to determine which science concepts students understand and which they do not. Because chemistry is concerned with the nature of matter, and matter is defined as anything that has mass and volume, students must understand these concepts to be successful problem solvers in chemistry. Research studies have shown that a surprising number of high school students do not understand the meaning of mass, volume, heat, temperature and changes of state. One reason why students do not understand these concepts is because when they have been taught in the classroom, they have not been presented in a variety of contexts. Often the instruction has been verbal and formal. This will be minimally effective if students have not had the concrete experiences. Hence, misconceptions arise. Although the very word "misconception" has a negative connotation, this information is important for chemistry teachers. They are frameworks by which the students view the world around them. If a teacher understands these frameworks, then instruction can be formulated that builds on student's existing knowledge. It appears that students build conceptual frameworks as they try to make sense out of their surroundings. In addition to the fundamental properties of matter mentioned above, there are other concepts that are critical to chemical calculations. One of these is the mole concept and another is the particulate nature of matter. There is mounting evidence that many students do not understand either of these concepts sufficiently well to use them in problem solving. It appears that if chemistry problem solving skills of students are to improve, chemistry teachers will need to spend a much greater period of time on concept acquisition. One way to do this will be to present concepts in a variety of contexts, using hands-on activities.

What does this research imply about procedures that are useful for helping students become more successful at problem solving?

Chemistry problems can be solved using a variety of techniques. Many chemistry teachers and most introductory chemistry texts illustrate problem solutions using the factor-label method. It has been shown that this is not the best technique for high school students of high mathematics anxiety and low proportional reasoning ability. The use of analogies and schematic diagrams results in higher achievement on problems involving moles, stoichiometry, and molarity. The use of analogs is not profitable for certain types of problems. When problems became complex (such as in dilution problems) students are unable to solve even the analog problems. For these types of problems, using analogs in instruction would be useless unless teachers are willing to spend additional time teaching students how to solve problems using the analog. Many students are unable to match analogs with the chemistry problems even after practice in using analogs. Students need considerable practice if analogs are used in instruction. When teaching chemistry by the lecture method, concept development needed for problem solving may be enhanced by pausing for a two minute interval at about 8 to 12 minute intervals during the lecture. This provides students time to review what has been presented, fill in the gaps, and interpret the information for others, and thus learn it themselves. The use of concept maps may also help students understand concepts and to relate them to one another. Requiring students to use a worksheet with each problem may help them solve them in a more effective way. The worksheet might include a place for them to plan a problem, that is list what is given and what is sought; to describe the problem situation by writing down other concepts they retrieve from memory (the use of a picture may integrate these); to find the mathematical solution; and to appraise their results. Although the research findings are not definitive, the above approaches offer some promise that students' problem solving skills can be improved and that they can learn to solve problems in a meaningful way.

For further information about this research area, please contact:

Dr. Dorothy Gabel Education Building 3rd and Jordan Bloomington, Indiana 47405

How would you rate Smodin?

Help us improve Smodin by leaving us feedback!

Chemistry AI Homework Solver

Omni is the most accurate AI homework solver on the market!

Max Limit Reached (3 / week)

See omni in action.

Introducing Chemistry AI Homework Solver: The Ultimate Solution for Your Chemistry Assignments!

Are you struggling with your chemistry homework? Are you tired of spending hours trying to solve complex equations and formulas? Look no further! Smodin Chemistry Homework Solver is here to help you ace your assignments with ease.

How does it work?

Our AI-powered tool uses advanced algorithms and machine learning to provide accurate and efficient solutions to your chemistry problems. Simply input your assignment or question, and Smodin Chemistry AI homework solver will generate step-by-step solutions in seconds.

Why choose Chemistry AI Homework Solver?

• Save Time: With our solver, you can complete your assignments in a fraction of the time it would take you to solve them manually.
• Accuracy: Smodin’s Chemistry homework solver provides accurate solutions every time, eliminating the risk of errors and mistakes.
• Boost your Grades: You can enhance your school success by guaranteeing the precision and correctness of your responses using Smodin’s AI Chemistry solver.
• Convenience: 24/7 availability guarantees that you can access it at any time for your chemistry homework needs.

Experience the Best Chemistry AI Homework Solver

Smodin’s Chemistry AI Homework Solver is the most advanced and reliable solution for all your chemistry assignments. Whether you're a high school or college student, Smodin can help you tackle even the most challenging problems. Give it a try today and experience the convenience and accuracy of Smodin Chemistry solver. Say goodbye to the frustration of chemistry homework and hello to success!

Get Instant Help with Chemistry Questions Using Smodin’s AI-powered Chemistry Solver!

Are you stuck on a chemistry question and don't know where to turn for help? Smodin’s Chemistry AI Solver is here to assist you. With our advanced algorithms, we can provide accurate and efficient solutions to your chemistry problems in no time. Say goodbye to frustration and confusion and hello to quick and easy answers to your chemistry questions.

Ace Your Exams with the Help of Smodin’s Chemistry Homework Assistant!

Preparing for a chemistry exam can be stressful and time-consuming. Let Smodin’s Chemistry Homework Assistant take some of the weight off your shoulders. With Smodin you can practice solving problems and reviewing concepts to ensure that you're fully prepared for your exam. Smodin’s assistant can help you achieve your academic goals and excel in your chemistry studies.

The Benefits of Using a Chemistry AI Solver for Your Homework

Using a Chemistry AI Solver for your homework has many benefits. Not only can it save you time and provide accurate solutions, but it can also improve your understanding of chemistry concepts. Smodin Chemistry AI solver generates step-by-step solutions, allowing you to learn from the process and apply it to future assignments. Try Smodin homework solver today and see the difference it can make in your academic performance.

Say Goodbye to Late-Night Study Sessions with Smodin’s Chemistry Question Solver

Late-night study sessions can be exhausting, especially when you're struggling with chemistry problems. Let Smodin Chemistry Question Solver lighten the load. Smodin can provide quick and accurate answers to your questions, allowing you to complete your assignments faster and more efficiently. Get the rest you need and the academic success you deserve with the help of Smodin’s solver.

Unlock Your Potential with Smodin Chemistry AI Homework Solver

Don't let challenging chemistry assignments hold you back from achieving your academic goals. Smodin’s Chemistry AI Homework Solver is the ultimate solution to your chemistry struggles. With Smodinl, you can unlock your potential and excel in your chemistry studies. Smodin Solver is easy to use and provides accurate solutions every time. Experience the convenience and efficiency of Smodin Chemistry AI Homework solver and say hello to academic success!

© 2023 Smodin LLC