Ok..all you chemists out there, how on EARTH do you remember all these equations and how to use them properly?

Question

I have had to learn a LOT of equations in just a few CHAPTERS in my Gen. Chem II class in college. I'm DREADING the final. How on EARTH do you remember all this stuff from memory?

Answer 1

In general chemists are above average IQ which means that they are better than most at "academic" stuff like learning (mostly) useless equations. Keep in mind that IQ generally predicts academic success but nothing else. Most learning is about knowing the story. When you've done enough problems you begin to learn what the story is. Once you know the story its pretty easy to remember what equations go along with it. Look at the Bible (or any other religious book) the author uses a bunch stories to get the point across and to enable people to learn it. Trying to learn the equations without learning the "why and what" story behind them is like trying to memorize all the names in the bible (or whatever) without putting them in any sort of context (relationships, age, sex, location, etc.) It is the hardest way to go. So much for cramming.

Answer 2

Because we use them every day. When it's your job, you kind of have to remember it.