How to get better at physical chemisrry

Please any Year 13s who are goated in physical chemistry pls tell me how to navigate through calculations. I’m not sure if I’m genuinely mathematically challenged or haven’t done enough practice!! Tell me why I’m averaging 49% in all my physical tests 😭

Reply 1

Nitrotoluene

Original post by mintchalk

FYI: I am not an English student but I graduated in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Genoa (Italy) (see my TSR profile (take a look here: My Job Outline) if you wish).

Your thread is an exaggerated plea for help from a Year 13 student who can't understand his physical chemistry calculations.Here’s what it means, broken down:

Decoding the sentence: “Please any Year 13s who are goated in Physical Chemistry..."

I know that “Goated” = slang for “great us of all time” (GOAT) and that means higher qualification. I am wrong?

Year 13: Advice from High Achievers – The student is asking for another high achieving Year 13 for help.

“… please inform me how to go through the calculations.”

He/she wants strategies/tips for calculations from physical chemistry (e.g. energetics, kinetics, equilibria).

“I don’t know whether I’m actually mathematically challenged or whether I haven’t practiced!”

They don’t know whether their challenges stem from

A natural weakness in maths (“mathematically challenged”) or a lack of practice.

“Explain why I am getting 49% average on my all physics tests” You are getting below the pass mark (~50%) in physical chemistry papers and want a diagnosis/advice as to why.

What you’re really asking “How do I get better at physical chemistry calculations?

Do I need to practice more, or do I need a different approach?

What do high-achieving students do differently?

Diagnose the problem:

Do they make silly errors (confusions in units, question misreadings)?

Do they really know the theory behind the calculations (Hess’ law, K c K c etc.).

Are they getting the right practice (past papers vs. passive reading)

My practical advice:

Dissecting problems → write down knowns → pick an equation → manipulate to desired form → plug in the numbers.

The key to success is to memorise key equations (e.g. PV=nRT, Arrhenius equation)

Review past papers (look for repeated questions).

Mindset fix: “49% means you’re nearly there — focus on weak areas with a systematic approach”.

Physical Chemistry is something you can learn; maths haters can also do very well if they practise in a structured manner.

Would you like a step-by-step guide to a particular type of calculation (e.g. Gibbs free energy)?
Good luck!

My 2cents,😀
Sandro

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 2

JQ2neeky

Original post by mintchalk

Practice practice and more practice.
I wish I could tell you more but physical is very much about skills that you apply rather memorise reactions or facts. I recommend doing PMT questions as those will help you get familiar with the type of questions they ask and provide a good opportunity for practice.