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Chemistry Made Simple

Chemistry Made Simple

Your guide to getting a great grade in chemistry

Matthew Macariou

102 episodesEN

About

Helping you understand chemistry topics from A-Level and Advanced Higher. Get more guidance, deeper resources and a helpful community at ChemistryMadeSimple.net If you want to demystify chemistry, yearn for a simpler explanation and want to hear all the tips that will help you at exam time you're at the right place. I'm a chemistry tutor who is used to explaining chemistry in simpler terms, and I love to use an analogy to help with the understanding. Each episode tackles a topic, explaining it as simply as possible - well it is chemistry! The end-of-episode summary will make sure you have useful takeaways to help you on your way.

Latest Episodes

View all 102 episodes

Ep 103Group 2 Elements and Their Compounds - The Reaction and Trends You Need to Know

The video version of this episode--------------------------------------------My short, clear overview of everything you need to know about the Group 2 elements, and some of their compounds.--------------------------------------------Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academyFind out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me:Instagram @chemistrymadesimpleEmail [email protected] a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenoteJoin the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.

Mar 30, 202612 min

Ep 102How to Do a Titration - From Lab to Calculation

The video version is here.From confusion to mastery - in this episode, I walk you through everything you need to know to do tritrations. Including the calculation step! Whether you find the terminology challenging, want to understand the apparatus and process, or how to do the calculation, I've got you.Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academyBecome a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode. patreon.com/chemistrymadesimplePrefer to say a quick 'thank you'? You can buy me a coffee if that's your jam.Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me:Instagram @chemistrymadesimpleEmail [email protected] a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenoteJoin the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.

Mar 9, 202622 min

Ep 101Avoid Chemistry Calculation Chaos - Know the Correct Units and How to Convert Them

The video version of this podcast can be found here The episode about moles can be found here In this episode:Why you could easily drop a grade by using incorrect unitsThe units you're given are often not the ones you need to useThe units to use for the volume of liquid or the volume of gasesThe unit for temperatureThe unit for pressureThe unit for the amount of substanceThe unit for concentrationThe units for energy changeMy Pro TipsCheck out the Chemistry Made Simple academyFind out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me:Instagram @chemistrymadesimpleEmail [email protected] a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenoteJoin the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode. patreon.com/chemistrymadesimplePrefer to say a quick 'thank you'? You can buy me a coffee if that's your jam.

Jan 26, 202615 min

Ep 100Master the Acid Dissociation Constant Ka, and Use it to Calculate pH of Weak Acids

The video version (to follow along on screen) is hereIn this episode:What is the acid dissociation constantWhat do we mean by the dissociation of an acidWhat is a weak acidHow to write the expression for the acid dissociation constantHow to rearrange the expression to help calculate pHWhat happens to Ka when the temperature is changedFind out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me:Instagram @chemistrymadesimpleEmail [email protected] a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenoteJoin the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academyCheck out the Chemistry Made Simple academy

Jan 12, 202611 min

Ep 99Master the Equilibrium Constant Kc

The video version can be seen here https://youtu.be/U2w2KIL2hB8In this episode:What is the equilibrium constantWhat is the equilibrium constant used forWhat are the units of KcHow to write the equilibrium constant expressionThe effect of changing the temperatureThe effect of changing the concentrationThe effect of changing the pressureThe effect of a catalystThe Kc for the reverse reactionLe Chatelier's PrincipleCheck out the Chemistry Made Simple academyFind out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me:Instagram @chemistrymadesimpleEmail [email protected] a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenoteJoin the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode. patreon.com/chemistrymadesimplePrefer to say a quick 'thank you'? You can buy me a coffee if that's your jam.

Dec 29, 202514 min

Ep 98What is a Reversible Reaction and an Equilibrium

In this episode:What is a reversible reaction?How to spot a reversible reactionUse the correct arrow!What is equilibrium?What is necessary to achieve equilibrium?Disturbing an equilibrium, and La Chatelier's PrincipleWhat happens to an equilibrium when you add a catalyst?Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academyFind out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me:Instagram @chemistrymadesimpleEmail [email protected] a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenoteJoin the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode. patreon.com/chemistrymadesimplePrefer to say a quick 'thank you'? You can buy me a coffee if that's your jam.

Dec 15, 202515 min

Ep 97What Exactly are Acids, pH, Strong & Weak Acids

In this episode:Definition of an acidWhy acids and hydrogen ions are so reactiveWhat pH means and how to calculate itStrong acids, weak acids and concentrationCheck out the Chemistry Made Simple academyBecome a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode. patreon.com/chemistrymadesimplePrefer to say a quick 'thank you'? You can buy me a coffee if that's your jam.Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me:Instagram @chemistrymadesimpleEmail [email protected] a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenoteJoin the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.

Dec 1, 20259 min

Ep 96Master the Ideal Gas Equation in Chemistry

In this episode:What is the ideal gas equation?How to use the ideal gas equationThe biggest mistakes when using the ideal gas equationThe units to use - pay special attentionWhen to use the ideal gas equationFind out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me:Instagram @chemistrymadesimpleEmail [email protected] a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenoteJoin the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academyBecome a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode. patreon.com/chemistrymadesimplePrefer to say a quick 'thank you'? You can buy me a coffee if that's your jam.

Nov 17, 20257 min

S1 Ep 1An Important Update

A short but important update about how and when you can hear the podcast going forwards.Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me:Instagram @chemistrymadesimpleEmail [email protected] a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenoteJoin the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode. patreon.com/chemistrymadesimplePrefer to say a quick 'thank you'? You can buy me a coffee if that's your jam.Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academy

Nov 3, 20251 min

Ep 95How to Do Calculations in Chemistry Using the Mole

Get alerts for my calculations tutorials, and the link to the titration walkthrough.In this episode:Using the mole to calculate RFM of compounds, ions and elementsUsing the mole to calculate empirical formulaeUsing the mole to calculate % compositionUsing the mole to calculate the concentration of solutionsUsing the mole to calculate the volume of gasUsing the mole to do calculations for equilibria, weak acids, weak bases and buffersUsing the mole to calculate how many moles, grams or litres of gas are used or created in a reactionUsing the mole to calculate pHUsing the mole to determine the limiting reagentCheck out the Chemistry Made Simple academyBecome a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode. patreon.com/chemistrymadesimplePrefer to say a quick 'thank you'? You can buy me a coffee if that's your jam.Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me:Instagram @chemistrymadesimpleEmail [email protected] a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenoteJoin the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.

Oct 29, 202515 min

Ep 94How My ADHD Helps Me to Help You Learn Chemistry

If you want to discuss anything from this episode, you can contact me:Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me:Instagram @chemistrymadesimpleEmail [email protected] a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenoteJoin the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.

Oct 20, 202510 min

Ep 93How to Balance Equations, and Why It Is So Important

Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode. patreon.com/chemistrymadesimplePrefer to say a quick 'thank you'? You can buy me a coffee if that's your jam.In this episode:What is a chemical equationWhat are equations forWhy is balancing equations so importantHow to balance equationsThe Golden RuleThe one thing you mustn't balanceThree types of equations you need to knowFind out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me:Instagram @chemistrymadesimpleEmail [email protected] a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenoteJoin the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academy

Oct 13, 202512 min

Ep 92Never Ignore a Mole - What is a Mole and Why it is so Important

In this episode:What is a moleWhy we need a moleWhy we can't just use grams or amuHow to use moles in chemistry calculationsCheck out the Chemistry Made Simple academyFind out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me:Instagram @chemistrymadesimpleEmail [email protected] a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenoteJoin the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode. patreon.com/chemistrymadesimplePrefer to say a quick 'thank you'? You can buy me a coffee if that's your jam.

Oct 6, 20255 min

Ep 91What You Need to Know about Isotopes at A-Level

The video that demonstrates how to calculate RAM from isotope mass and relative abundanceIn this episode:Why do we see decimal places in atomic mass on the periodic tableWhat are isotopes, and how do they differ from each other?What are the differences in the behaviour of different isotopes?Relative abundanceHow do we calculate relative atomic mass considering relative abundance and isotope massFind out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me:Instagram @chemistrymadesimpleEmail [email protected] a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenoteJoin the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academyBecome a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode. patreon.com/chemistrymadesimplePrefer to say a quick 'thank you'? You can buy me a coffee if that's your jam.

Sep 23, 20257 min

Ep 90How to Write and Understnd Electron Configuration

The download mentioned in this episode:https://chemistrymadesimple.net/orbital/In this episode:What does electron configuration mean for atoms and simple ionsWhich orbitals fill first?Do electrons pair up in orbitals or half-fill the subshell first?The funny thing about 3d and 4s subshellsElectron configuration notation explainedFind out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me:Instagram @chemistrymadesimpleEmail [email protected] a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenoteJoin the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academyBecome a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode. patreon.com/chemistrymadesimplePrefer to say a quick 'thank you'? You can buy me a coffee if that's your jam.

Sep 15, 20258 min

Ep 89What is an atomic orbital, and what are the "rules" about orbitals?

Download mentioned in this episode:https://chemistrymadesimple.net/orbital/In this episode:Definition of an atomic orbitalUsing the probability of an electron's locationDifferent types of atomic orbitalsHow many electrons can be in an orbital, and how they MUST differWhich atomic orbitals exist in which electron shells or energy levelsHow many orbitals of each orbital typeFind out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me:Instagram @chemistrymadesimpleEmail [email protected] a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenoteJoin the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academyBecome a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode. patreon.com/chemistrymadesimplePrefer to say a quick 'thank you'? You can buy me a coffee if that's your jam.

Sep 8, 20256 min

Ep 88Quantum Mechanics - Two analogies to help you understand QM and quantum numbers.

The download mentioned in the episode: chemistrymadesimple.net/quantumIn this episode:What is Quantum mechanicsAnalogy 1 - Stairs vs EscalatorAnalogy 2- Homemade coffee vs Automated barista coffeeQuantum numbers and their relevance to electronsFind out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me:Instagram @chemistrymadesimpleEmail [email protected] a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenoteJoin the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academyBecome a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode. patreon.com/chemistrymadesimplePrefer to say a quick 'thank you'? You can buy me a coffee if that's your jam.

Sep 1, 20257 min

Ep 87How Quantum Mechanics makes the atom 3 dimensional, effects the shape of molecules, and dictates the periodic table's configuration

The download mentioned: Chemistrymadesimple.net/2In this episode we consider how quantum mechanics effects the atomic model and more:There's more to electron shellsSubshells and orbitals3D shape of orbitalsOrbitals, bond angles and shape of moleculesThe reason the periodic table gets broader down the table Find out how I can help you throughout your chemistry A-Level here.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Want to know more, or support the show? Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode patreon.com/chemistrymadesimpleFind out more about the programme mentioned in the episode Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me:Instagram @chemistrymadesimpleEmail [email protected] the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.

Aug 25, 20257 min

Ep 86Physical, Organic, or Inorganic? How to navigate these chemistry topic groups.

In this episode, I discuss:What is meant by physical, organic and inorganic chemistry?What is generally included in each of these topic areas?How much do these labels matter?When do these labels matter?Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me:Instagram @chemistrymadesimpleEmail [email protected] a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenoteJoin the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academyCheck out the Chemistry Made Simple academy

Aug 18, 20256 min

Ep 85Just how DIFFICULT is it to study advanced high school Chemistry? (With top tips from minute 10)

Studying advanced chemistry can't really be as difficult as people make out, can it?TLDR: Don't miss the tips that start from minute 10!Whether you're just thinking about studying chemistry at A-Level or Highers, whether you've committed to do so, or whether you've already started your course you will be aware of all the rumours and worries about what it's like and how difficult it is.In this episode we look at these questions and concerns about A-Level chemistry:The chemistry is a big step up!Is memorising the syllabus enough?Is it starting again in chemistry?Did GCSE chemistry lie to me?Does getting a good GCSE grade mean I'll get a good A-Level grade?There's a lot of calculationsThe maths is very hardthe exams are very difficult and require lots of understandingHear my golden rule about getting all the exam marks you deserve.I also give quick tips of what you should include in your answers.Find out how I can help you throughout your chemistry A-Level here.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Want to know more, or support the show? Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode patreon.com/chemistrymadesimpleFind out more about the programme mentioned in the episode Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me:Instagram @chemistrymadesimpleEmail [email protected] the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.

Aug 11, 202514 min
Copyright 2026 Matthew Macariou