Usage Tips

Our web site is focused on three main groups: people wanting to learn chemistry for the first time, those studying for the AP Chemistry exam, and chemists looking for a convenient reference. Tips for each group on how to use our site are found below.

For the first-time Chemistry student
If you want to learn chemistry in preparation for college, as part of another subject area (such as biology), or just to expand your intellectual horizons, The Net Equation should be your chemistry companion! Or, if you find yourself in need of tutoring in a particular area of the science, such as Oxidation-Reduction Reactions, our easy-to-use web site will have you learning and understanding in minutes. Multimedia presentations bring chemistry off the page and into motion to help you learn.

We at The Net Equation make a commitment to your learning! If something is confusing, visit the Message Board, also found under the "Help" link on your left. There, you can interact with other visitors and post your thoughts--often, another person's explanation the problem area will bring it into focus. We also regularly monitor the Message Board, which helps us improve this site by noticing if one section seems unclear or needs further discussion. If the Message Board doesn't help, you can e-mail us directly by selecting "Help" and clicking "Contact Us." We will try to address your concern as quickly as possible. You are also encouraged to pick up a recommended textbook at your local bookstore or online as an additional reference.

Each major area (or "Chapter") of chemistry is introduced in easy-to-understand language (something that even WE can appreciate!). We then move quickly but clearly into more advanced concepts, dedicating a section to each major topic. Unlike many texts, we keep our lessons concise, allowing you to move through the chapters quickly while retaining as much information as possible. Sample problems and explanations may be found throughout the site, and each section also has practice problems at the end of each chapter to let you test your knowledge. Our site has been proofed by a Chemistry PhD to ensure accuracy.

For the AP Chemistry student
We also cater to students taking the Advanced Placement Chemistry exam in the spring. Success on the AP exam (a score of 3 or higher) can mean a savings of thousands of dollars of college tuition and/or the ability to skip introductory-level classes--studying is definately worth your time and energy, and The Net Equation is here to help. Written by those who took the test, we know exactly how much in-depth preparedness you need to succeed. We suggest using The Net Equation to bolster your studying and understanding of the key concepts in chemistry!

A concise reference for any chemist
If you have been searching for a site containing chemical data, look no further! Our Reference section, always available through the link on the left side of the screen, includes dozens of equations and formulas, from the Ideal Gas Law PV=nRT (which we affectionately call "pervnert") to the Gibbs Free Energy equation. We also have lists of chemical constants, making it easy to find that particular value you've been looking for, from the E^o of Gallium to the ΔS of the sublimation of dry ice or the K_b of the acetate ion.

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