Is high school chemistry hard? (2023)

Is chemistry considered a hard class?

Chemistry is considered very hard. In fact, Chemistry is considered one of the most difficult subjects in College. Some of the more advanced chemistry courses (like Physical Chemistry) have been determined to be the hardest classes in College.

Chemistry Involves A Lot of Math!

In an actual math class, word problems are sometimes the most difficult problems for students to tackle. Considering chemistry is like an endless stream of word problems, it's no surprise that a chemistry course can seem to be exceedingly challenging.

As a general rule, most students find biology easier except, they may be required to memorize more information. Chemistry is usually more difficult, especially the labs, because they require a better understanding of mathematics, especially error analysis.

Physics is the most difficult major, surpassing chemistry, biology, psychology, computer science, astronomy, biochemistry, and geology in difficulty. In physics, the degree of mathematics and the number of abstractions is unrivaled. All of the disciplines are challenging, but physics is the most difficult.

In general the answer to the question is subjective. If hardcore math like theorems and their proofs interest you, you will feel mathematics is easier than chemistry. If you like the application of these theorems, then chemistry is easier.

High school chemistry introduces students to more complicated topics such as stoichiometry, thermodynamics, virtual laboratory experiments, and more. This strong base of knowledge will prepare them for subjects such as physics and advanced biology in the near future.

What do 11th graders do in chemistry?

Math Basics

Math is used in all the sciences, including high school chem class. To learn chem, you need to understand algebra, geometry, and some trig, as well as be able to work in scientific notation and perform unit conversions.

Algebra is the single most failed course in high school, the most failed course in community college, and, along with English language for nonnative speakers, the single biggest academic reason that community colleges have a high dropout rate.

While each year of high school will have its own stressors, many will say junior year is the most challenging. Junior year can be the hardest for several reasons, but with the right prep and expectations, high school students can make the hardest year just a little easier.

While junior year is often the hardest year of high school, the transition from middle school to 9th grade can also be tough. To make it easier, don't feel afraid to reach out to your teachers and counselors, and take advantage of the support resources that are available.

Chemistry is famous for being one of the hardest subjects ever, so it's no surprise that a Chemistry degree is fiercely challenging. Just one topic in Chemistry (for example, organic chemistry) is incredibly complex.

It shouldn't surprise you that organic chemistry takes the No. 1 spot as the hardest college course. This course is often referred to as the “pre-med killer” because it actually has caused many pre-med majors to switch their major.

But for what it's worth, I found calculus to be much easier than chemistry. Calculus involves a small handful of ideas that find applications in enormous giant-hand-handfuls of situations. But if you know those small handful of ideas, the applications are all straightforward to the point of being self-evident.

How many? On average about 25% fail general chemistry according to Cooper and Peterson (2012). Others have found rates from 40-60%. That's a lot of students and you don't want to be one of them.

Why do students fail chemistry?

Many students have a negative impression of chemistry and think that it pulls down their grade point averages. They also seem to have an inherent dislike for the subject. Therefore, even though they like science, they try their best to stay away from chemistry.

For students that lean most toward computation, derivations, proofs, and “technical” aspects of things, chemistry is harder than physics. Physics works “from the ground up”, starting with essential, fundamental laws, working their way up the ladder to better understand the phenomena of motion.

In 11th grade science, most students typically study chemistry or physics (depending on courses they took in previous years). The exact order can vary depending on the state requirements, and student's academic level.

Physics involves more mathematics and mathematical thinking than chemistry, which requires more than biology. So if you view maths as a 'necessary evil' then maybe chemistry is better for you (all else being equal). If you like math and it comes easy to your, then physics is probably better.

Basically, getting straight A's is hard (if it were easy, everyone would do it) so you need to work at it if you want to do this. However, avoid study groups if you tend to talk more than study. Remember, you are only working in a study group to study.