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Do I need Maths for A-Level Chemsitry?

This poll is closed

Is A-Level Maths important for A-Level Chemistry?

It helps a lot 32%
It helps a small amount 47%
It isn't really necessary at all21%
Total votes: 76
I've just been to enrol and I intended to take A-Level Chemistry. The head of sixth form urged me not to take Chemistry without taking atleast AS Maths because apparently I'll massively struggle at A2.

This is the first time I've ever been told that Maths is crucial for A-Level Chemistry.

I'm quite competent with maths (A* at GCSE) however I really don't enjoy it and I really don't want to take it at A-Level at all.

So how important is A-Level maths for Chemistry? And will I completely crumble if I don't take it; like the head of sixth form said?

Do I need maths

(Excuse the misspelling of Chemistry in the title)
(edited 7 years ago)

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No but my sister says she regrets not taking it A LOT because A level chemistry is very maths based
Original post by BTAnonymous
No but my sister says she regrets not taking it A LOT because A level chemistry is very maths based


Was your sister naturally good at maths at GCSE? I'm just trying to figure out whether I'll be as a massive disadvantage that's all

And does she struggle with chemistry a lot because she doesn't do maths?
Reply 3
Avatar for JN17
JN17
10
For OCR A there was a lot of maths questions but they only use 3 or 4 formula, there's nothing difficult for AS (cant speak for A2, not started yet) in terms of the maths involved. You do have to analyse some situations though and make sure to use the right values, for example if they ask for a value per mole, or just for the given reaction etc.
Original post by TomSuffolk
I've just been to enrol and I intended to take A-Level Chemistry. The head of sixth form urged me not to take Chemistry without taking atleast AS Maths because apparently I'll massively struggle at A2.

This is the first time I've ever been told that Maths is crucial for A-Level Chemistry.

I'm quite competent with maths (A* at GCSE) however I really don't enjoy it and I really don't want to take it at A-Level at all.

So how important is A-Level maths for Chemistry? And will I completely crumble if I don't take it; like the head of sixth form said?

Do I need maths

(Excuse the misspelling of Chemistry in the title)


As someone who got an A* at GCSE maths, who struggled with both AS and A2 chemistry maths, I would advise you to take maths alongside chemistry. Then again, I'd advise everyone doing A-levels to take maths.

The attached file is an AS-level maths question, if this scares you off then I'd advise not taking it :tongue:
(edited 7 years ago)
aqa core 2.PNG33.3KB
Original post by Callum323
As someone who got an A* at GCSE maths, who struggled with both AS and A2 chemistry maths, I would advise you to take maths alongside chemistry. Then again, I'd advice everyone doing A-levels to take maths.

The attached file is an AS-level maths question, if this scares you off then I'd advise not taking it :tongue:


Why would you advise that everyone takes it? And those questions look horrible.

I presumed that the Maths in Chemistry would just be rearranging formulas, converting units, rates of reaction, and other things that aren't too complex?
Original post by JN17
For OCR A there was a lot of maths questions but they only use 3 or 4 formula, there's nothing difficult for AS (cant speak for A2, not started yet) in terms of the maths involved. You do have to analyse some situations though and make sure to use the right values, for example if they ask for a value per mole, or just for the given reaction etc.


How complex does the maths get though? (OCR is my exam board). Will it be anything I haven't covered at GCSE?
Original post by TomSuffolk
Why would you advise that everyone takes it? And those questions look horrible.

I presumed that the Maths in Chemistry would just be rearranging formulas, converting units, rates of reaction, and other things that aren't too complex?


All the maths in AS Chemistry is alright, apart from Titration oh god! A2 Chemistry is for more maths based and although it is a fair bit of rearranging, it isn't to the standard of GCSE; a lot harder in fact
Reply 8
Avatar for JN17
JN17
10
Original post by TomSuffolk
How complex does the maths get though? (OCR is my exam board). Will it be anything I haven't covered at GCSE?

It's just multiplication and division,
have a look at June 2015 F321 question 4 (idk how to post pictures here:biggrin:), you're given a bunch of text/information and asked to work out values, the maths is simple, you just need to know what to do (exam practice)
Original post by TomSuffolk
Why would you advise that everyone takes it? And those questions look horrible.

I presumed that the Maths in Chemistry would just be rearranging formulas, converting units, rates of reaction, and other things that aren't too complex?


Honestly those questions aren't too bad. Logarithms are easy, you just haven't been taught how to use them yet.

Maths in chemistry gets quite difficult at A2, and having daily practice with maths is useful for it. If you work hard enough you'll do just fine, though.
I've done AS chem this year (AQA) and am intending to carry on to A2. I got A* GCSE maths but didn't do AS. All my other subjects are humanities!

It's definitely do-able. Chemistry keeps your mathematical skills ticking over nicely, so while you might find yourself grasping things a little slower than classmates who do take maths, you aren't going to be left in the dust. Practice papers and learning how to apply the maths I've learnt are what have really helped me this year, and when it comes to revision I tend to focus more on my maths because despite my GCSE, I'm not naturally maths-minded. You might find it comes more naturally for you!The A2 work we started doing in July was definitely very maths-based and was a bit of a step-up from the past work. But it's manageable! I know I'll be working hard on it but it hasn't worried me much - and support is always available should you find yourself struggling with the maths.
Original post by LouKayenta05
I've done AS chem this year (AQA) and am intending to carry on to A2. I got A* GCSE maths but didn't do AS. All my other subjects are humanities!

It's definitely do-able. Chemistry keeps your mathematical skills ticking over nicely, so while you might find yourself grasping things a little slower than classmates who do take maths, you aren't going to be left in the dust. Practice papers and learning how to apply the maths I've learnt are what have really helped me this year, and when it comes to revision I tend to focus more on my maths because despite my GCSE, I'm not naturally maths-minded. You might find it comes more naturally for you!The A2 work we started doing in July was definitely very maths-based and was a bit of a step-up from the past work. But it's manageable! I know I'll be working hard on it but it hasn't worried me much - and support is always available should you find yourself struggling with the maths.


I'm exactly the same, I just really don't enjoy maths and I'd say it's one of my weaker subjects (despite me grade not reflecting this)

My logic is, what's the point in taking an entire subject that I don't enjoy, just to aid me slightly in another subject. I'd understand if I was taking physics because maths is a fundamental part and it can get complex, whereas with chemistry I feel like I'd be able to cope?
Original post by Ze Witcher
All the maths in AS Chemistry is alright, apart from Titration oh god! A2 Chemistry is for more maths based and although it is a fair bit of rearranging, it isn't to the standard of GCSE; a lot harder in fact


I've done further chemistry at GCSE and there was quite a lot on titrations, despite not finding it easy I feel like I could cope pretty well with it.

However I presume it gets a lot harder at A-Level
Original post by TomSuffolk
I've done further chemistry at GCSE and there was quite a lot on titrations, despite not finding it easy I feel like I could cope pretty well with it.

However I presume it gets a lot harder at A-Level


I think its somewhat similar. Its just gets harder in A2 where you have things like the Arrenhius equation and stuff
Reply 14
Avatar for ACER676
ACER676
5
I did Chemistry and Maths at A-level and would say you would have the edge if you did A-level Maths especially in A2. There is a whole exam if you do OCR A F325 (old spec finished 2016) which is 70% calculation based on fairly difficult mole questions and calculating stuff like Kc, Kw, Ka and other stuff which require a quite high level knowledge of indices and logs weirdly enough. I'm not saying its not still doable but for sure you will struggle more with the calculation side to Chemistry without A-level Maths.
Original post by ACER676
I did Chemistry and Maths at A-level and would say you would have the edge if you did A-level Maths especially in A2. There is a whole exam if you do OCR A F325 (old spec finished 2016) which is 70% calculation based on fairly difficult mole questions and calculating stuff like Kc, Kw, Ka and other stuff which require a quite high level knowledge of indices and logs weirdly enough. I'm not saying its not still doable but for sure you will struggle more with the calculation side to Chemistry without A-level Maths.


Did you learn about Kp, I am not sure if its new??
Reply 16
Avatar for ACER676
ACER676
5
What's Kp I don't remember doing that


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Reply 17
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ACER676
5
I was the last batch of students to do the old OCR A spec this year, But I do know the new one isn't much different to mine but perhaps they have added Kp if that's a thing


Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by Callum323
As someone who got an A* at GCSE maths, who struggled with both AS and A2 chemistry maths, I would advise you to take maths alongside chemistry. Then again, I'd advise everyone doing A-levels to take maths.

The attached file is an AS-level maths question, if this scares you off then I'd advise not taking it :tongue:


The above reply is bit harsh going in with c2 content,the maths in chemistry is okay but you will need to be fairly good as theres lots of rearranging formulas and finding yields of products etc. Try do some AS them questions with maths involved and see how you feel.If you were good at gcse maths then you should be okay as A level chemistry can't really involve A level maths, but taking maths just means its a bit easier for you, thats all.
Original post by Ze Witcher
Did you learn about Kp, I am not sure if its new??


You talking about Kc the equilibrium constant?

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