Chemistry is a field of science that deals with the composition, properties, and structure of elements and compounds, as well as how they transform. Chemistry also explores what happens when substances are heated or compressed – all of which can release some form of energy!
Chemistry may be a lot to take in as it is perceived as a challenging subject for many students. However, it is also a fundamental study of science as it bridges the gap between Physics and Biology. With secondary students already finding the subject tedious, it becomes more apparent, especially amongst JC students that Chemistry involves more than mere regurgitation and memorisation. Although the journey to falling in love with Chemistry can be a challenge for many, this subject equips students with knowledge and life skills that are essential in the real world, too.
Why is Chemistry Important?
Did you know that Chemistry plays an integral part in our daily lives? Here are the four reasons why you shouldn’t take this subject for granted:
1. Fun to Learn
Ever watched those YouTube videos of Chemistry teachers igniting substances with bright hues that constantly change? That is Chemistry at work, and the reactions are entertaining to learn about as you can better appreciate these changes during experiments. Learning about molecules, atoms, elements, and other chemistry-related terms may sound dull but they can become fun and exciting once their reactions with one another are visually demonstrated.
Application:
Chemistry is a subject that can be learned at all ages. For example, secondary, JC and even young students can try the Cabbage Chemistry Experiment, which perfectly demonstrates how a pH indicator reacts to acids and bases. With readily available ingredients such as red and purple cabbage, hot water, powdered toilet cleaner, lemon juice, cream of tartar, pure water, baking soda, floor cleaner, and dishwashing liquid, a full-blown chemistry experiment can be done at home. Finely slice four to five cabbage leaves and place them inside a plastic bottle. Fill the bottle halfway with hot water and shake it for a few minutes until the hot water turns purple. Allow the water to cool.
- Place small amounts of the powdered toilet cleaner, lemon juice, cream of tartar, pure water, baking soda, floor cleaner, and dishwashing liquid into seven separate disposable cups.
- Fill each cup halfway using the cabbage water you’ve cooled down, and watch how each cup changes colour:
- Red – Strongly acidic (powdered toilet cleaner)
- Pinkish red – acidic (lemon juice)
- Lilac – Slightly Acidic (cream of tartar)
- Purple – Neutral (pure water)
- Blue – Slightly Basic (baking soda)
- Green – Basic (floor cleaner)
- Yellow – Strongly Basic (dishwashing liquid)
2. Helps Understand the World Around You
Have you ever wondered how Chemistry helps in understanding the world around you? What role does it play in our everyday lives? Chemistry can help explain how things work and learning this subject lets you grasp how seemingly ordinary actions are linked to chemical processes.
Application:
A simple breathing demonstration can help students understand how our bodies get energy by taking in oxygen and producing carbon dioxide whenever we exhale. Explaining why leaves change colour as they wilt is also a demonstration of how Chemistry works. The chlorophyll in leaves breaks down and halts the leaves’ food-production process due to the changes in temperature and length of daylight. These are just some of the ordinary things we observe and do that involve Chemistry.
3. Teaches Basic Life Skills
Learn basic life skills such as cooking, cleaning, and even planting with the help of Chemistry. With the knowledge and skills you learn from this subject, you can make more informed decisions about what you eat and what you purchase.
Application:
Students can try reading food labels and determine whether it’s healthy to purchase them. DIY crafts such as creating bath bombs or scented candles involve Chemistry too. Chemistry explains why baking soda is often used for baking bread, cakes, and cookies, while baking powder is an ingredient for making pancakes, muffins, and waffles.
4. Promising Career Options
Studying chemistry can land you in promising careers such as a chemist, pharmacist, academic researcher, toxicologist, and a job in the field of education. You can also develop your career as a chemical engineer, forensic scientist, and other jobs in the medical field.
Application:
Aside from our Chemistry tuition programmes in Singapore, Zenith Education also provides career counseling sessions for JC and secondary students to help them understand what degree programme they might want to pursue in college. To motivate students, we can help explain the different types of careers they can pursue after taking up Chemistry as a degree. Speaking with people who are successful in the field also provides students with an idea of what jobs are available after graduation.
Making Chemistry Fun with Zenith Education Studio
Chemistry may seem challenging at first but once you enrol in trusted JC tuition classes in Singapore, you will eventually find the lessons enjoyable. By making chemistry relatable to everyday living through hands-on learning through safe, classroom-controlled experiments and real-world application, the lessons will become easier to understand.
As a JC focused tuition centre in Singapore, Zenith Education Studio is committed to providing our students with the highest level of learning that involves creative and informative ways to tackle each subject matter. Aside from offering H2 chemistry tuition classes for our students in Singapore, we also provide Junior College programmes for Physics, Biology, Math, Economics, and General Paper. Secondary school programmes are also available for Math, Chemistry, and Physics subjects.
Need help with your Chemistry lessons? Drop us a message and our H2 chemistry tutors will be more than happy to help you!
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