Chemistry. Memorization.

[Mzor203]

So I was sick for three days, and of course came back to a looot at school.

I need to make up a test tomorrow. For chemistry! Yay chemistry!

Memorization of facts/words/dates is not my strong point. I'm excellent at remembering general ideas, outlines, definitions, things we learned 5 months ago that didn't seem to apply to anything. Basically, if I'm memorizing a definition of something that's an entire sentence, I can get it down easily.

But I can't remember the chemical names of 12 common ions.

I need these in my brain, memorized for part of the test.

Acetate (CH3COO)
Ammonium (NH4)
Bicarbonate (HCO3)
Carbonate (CO3)
Hydroxide (OH)
Nitrate (NO3)
Oxalate (C2O4)
Permanganate (MnO4) - for some reason this is the one I can always remember without fail.
Phosphate (PO4)
Sulphate (SO4)
Chlorate (ClO3)
Sulphite (SO3)

I made flashcards, I'll probably end up doing fine. Hopefully. Anybody have tips to get these to stick better? What do YOU do when you have to memorize those pesky facts? :P

[Fruit_Tart.]

like you said. flashcards... they helps me the best when i need to memorize something like that. or you can also write/type them over and over again until they just get engraved into your head. i do that a lot too but some people don't like writing or typing so much. that's what i do. :)

[Jess]

yes, you should use flashcards. they helped me memorize the symbols for 46 elements

[Magus]

yes, you should use flashcards. they helped me memorize the symbols for 46 elements

Symbols... with their ground-state configuration, ionization Level, atomic weight, ground-state level, density, melting point, boiling points, P. Oxidation numbers, electron affinity? No? Lucky mouse. :mad:

I am a write-and-forget kind of guy. I just write it down, and try to recall it - if I couldn't, then I would repeat the whole process.

[AutumnDae]

I had to memorize the ones you did Rex, plus more.

I made flashcards, and studied them a whole shit load. Like, in the car driving places, during lunch if I had a few minutes, during classes when I first got in there and class hadn't started.

Eventually, I memorized them, and it wasn't a problem.

Study the cards, study the cards, study the cards.

[Mzor203]

I actually found a flashcard program online which made some up for me. As far as I can tell it's free and really nifty. It helped a bit.

http://www.vendant.com/FlashCardManager/program.aspx if anyone is interested.

But interestingly enough I've found what really works for me is writing them down, actually. Well, typing to be more precise. Type one out 10 times, then add a new one in. Type the new one out 10 times, and then start alternating between them. Add a third one in, type it out 10 times and then start alternating between all three, going back and typing one out 10 times if I find I forget one.

And so yay I aced it. I just fear because I know there are a ton more coming. :P

Thanks guys.

[CaptainObvious]

Why memorize? Other than acetate and oxalate, all of those are oxyanions named according to the standard convention. Know the convention and no memorization is needed.

[Mzor203]

We had to memorize their charges as well, plus I'm not sure how I'd know that Chlorate would have 3 oxygen atoms whereas phosphate would have 4. I'm not sure where in their naming conventions it tells how many, other than the fact that ones ending with "ite" have one less than their standard "ate" versions.