What A level physics/further maths will be useful in studying chemistry at uni?

I will be studying chemistry at either Warwick or Imperial this September and have only done physics up to AS level and I have not done further maths. What topics from physics and further maths a level will be be useful for chemistry? I have access to OCR materials for physics and further maths. Any advice would be awesome, cheers.

I will be studying chemistry at either Warwick or Imperial this September and have only done physics up to AS level and I have not done further maths. What topics from physics and further maths a level will be be useful for chemistry? I have access to OCR materials for physics and further maths. Any advice would be awesome, cheers.

Further maths. Yes, others have mentioned it's overkill, but keep in mind that there are optional maths modules on offer that contribute to your final degree classification. Having Further Maths A Level would give you an advantage in those modules and make it much simpler to get high marks in them. It'll likely make getting a first/2:1 more easy.

Edit: didn't see you wanted to know what topics.

Basically, all topics that involve algebra and calculus will be helpful. Don't worry about the trigonometry and geometry stuff, it's rather irrelevant, except for bond angles, but that's quite easy.


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Have you never heard of how group theory and representation theory are applied to chemistry?

I actually just went and read up on this and touché. Though it seems like the most boring **** ever.

I agree that A level physics is not useful, aside perhaps from a bit of the mechanics (which you might already have covered in maths) for looking at motion of particles. There are various concepts that come up in further maths that will crop up in university-level chemistry: matrices, complex numbers, differential equations, and probably a couple of other things that I've forgotten. At this stage, though, I wouldn't worry too much about trying to get ahead with things. The lecturers will not expect you to have a full A level in further maths and the material will be taught with that in mind. So just enjoy the summer and if you're desparately bored, try some AS level further maths. Or just go outside or something.

Good luck on results day!

Further maths. Yes, others have mentioned it's overkill, but keep in mind that there are optional maths modules on offer that contribute to your final degree classification. Having Further Maths A Level would give you an advantage in those modules and make it much simpler to get high marks in them. It'll likely make getting a first/2:1 more easy.

Edit: didn't see you wanted to know what topics.

Basically, all topics that involve algebra and calculus will be helpful. Don't worry about the trigonometry and geometry stuff, it's rather irrelevant, except for bond angles, but that's quite easy.

Double Edit: Better not leave out the trig and geometry after all


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Focus entirely on maths specifically pure and statistics. Mechanics and decision will not be useful.

Physics will probably not be useful at all, except the part on radiation. Chemists love spectroscopy.

lol wat

You have no idea what you're on about.

What on earth does A-level mechanics have to do with undergrad chemistry?

You may have heard of this little topic... Quantum mechanics.

Classical systems such as the harmonic oscillator and rigid rotor are used to model systems of atoms and electrostatic interactions. How exactly am I supposed to find the normal modes of a molecule without using classical mechanics? How am I supposed to model the orbitals of an atom without understanding a rigid rotor? You can't do any proper spectroscopy until you understand quite a bit of classical mechanics, the foundations of which are laid at A Level, especially in the maths mechanics modules.

The objective is not to join every possible dot. The objective is to provide useful advice on areas of study that would most efficiently prepare the poster for an undergraduate chemistry degree.

I don't think studying simple harmonic motion / angular dynamics represents good value for time at this stage, especially for such a niche application. Classical analogues like this play a fleeting role in quantitative spectroscopy, you've either got to solve a quantum mechanics equation or measure the damn thing empirically to get anything meaningful.

If OP is really interested, I would say, learn what moment of inertia is, and then focus on pure and statistics.

Oh my... you really don't have a clue. QM is one of many uses of classical mechanics in Chemistry, there are too many to list here.

You clearly haven't done a chemistry degree so just quit spreading this crap.

OP: Don't listen to this guy, he clearly has no idea of the content in an undergraduate chemistry degree.

I don't feel I have to add any more points on this matter, since you haven't responded to any points of substance. But as you attacked my credentials, I'll just add that I have a PhD in quantitative spectroscopy.

I don't care what you have a PhD in, it's completely irrelevant to the content of an undergraduate chemistry course. Do you have a degree in chemistry? If not then you are totally unqualified to comment on what is required for one.

The diversion on qualifications continues. If you believe you are more qualified than me, why do you not have any more convincing arguments than:

"QM is one of many uses of classical mechanics"

?