Return to Contents Chapter 1: Where are the Electrons ? Ch 1 contents  

Learning Objectives:

Summary

Chemistry is often traditionally divided into organic, inorganic and physical areas. These areas could certainly be further subdivided and there is also lots of overlap between each of them too. However, in general terms, organic chemistry is the study of compounds containing carbon.

Why the focus on a specific element from the periodic table?

The aim of studying organic chemistry is to understand the properties and reactions of organic compounds. These properties (physical, chemical and biological) are controlled by the interactions between these molecules and these properties are dictated by the types of bonds within those molecules. As you will see later, understanding the location of electrons is especially important as it is the arrangement and the rearrangement of the electrons that creates the bonds between the atoms and their reactions. Hence, organic chemistry is really about understanding what the electrons are doing and the first step in that process is knowing where they are.

Although you may feel that most of this chapter is review from your previous Chemistry course(s), many students are not as strong as they need to be to survive the adventure that lies ahead, so make sure you start your organic course in good shape.

STUDY TIP

Many students struggle with organic chemistry because they don't really understand the basic principles that start with these introductory chemical topics.

Here is a short list of topics that cause many students problems that relate to fundamental material.

Structure

 

Problems
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© Dr. Ian Hunt, Department of Chemistry University of Calgary