Science, Tech, Math › Science Overview of High School Chemistry Topics Chem tools plus practice problems and quizzes are included Share Flipboard Email Print Westend61 / Getty Images Science Chemistry Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Facebook Twitter Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on September 09, 2019 Are you confused by all the topics in high school chem class? Here is an overview of what is studied in high school chem, with links to essential chem resources and worked chem problems. Introduction to Chemistry To study high school chem, it's a good idea to know what chem is. What Is Chem? What Is the Scientific Method? 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. Accuracy and Precision Significant Figures Scientific Notation Physical Constants Metric Base Units Derived Metric Units Metric Prefixes How to Cancel Units Temperature Conversions Calculate Experimental Error Atoms and Molecules Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter. Atoms join together to form compounds and molecules. Atom Basics Atomic Mass and Atomic Mass Number Types of Chemical Bonds Ionic and Covalent Bonds Oxidation Numbers Lewis Structures or Electron Dot Models Molecular Geometry What Is a Mole? More About Molecules and Moles Law of Multiple Proportions Stoichiometry Stoichiometry describes the proportions between atoms in molecules and reactants/products in chemical reactions. You can use this information to balance chemical equations. Types of Chemical Reactions Balance Equations Balance Redox Reactions Gram to Mole Conversions Limiting Reactant and Theoretical Yield Mole Relations in Balanced Equations Mass Relations in Balanced Equations States of Matter The states of matter are defined by the structure of matter as well as whether it has a fixed shape and volume. Learn about the different states and how matter transforms itself from one state to another. States of Matter Phase Diagrams Chemical Reactions There are several types of chemical reactions that can occur. Reactions in Water Types of Inorganic Chemical Reactions Periodic Trends The properties of the elements exhibit trends based on the structure of their electrons. The trends or periodicity can be used to make predictions about elements. Periodic Properties and Trends Element Groups Solutions It's important to understand how mixtures behave. Solutions, Suspensions, Colloids, Dispersions Calculating Concentration Gases Gases exhibit special properties. Ideal Gases Ideal Gas Law Problems Boyle's Law Charles' Law Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures Acids and Bases Acids and bases are concerned with the actions of hydrogen ions or protons in aqueous solutions. Acid and Base Definitions Common Acids and Bases Strength of Acids and Bases Calculating pH Buffers Salt Formation Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation Titration Basics Titration Curves Thermochemistry and Physical Chem Learn about the relationships between matter and energy. Laws of Thermochemistry Standard State Conditions Calorimetry, Heat Flow, and Enthalphy Bond Energy and Enthalpy Change Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions What Is Absolute Zero? Kinetics Matter is always in motion. Learn about the motion of atoms and molecules, or kinetics. Factors That Affect Reaction Rate Chemical Reaction Order Atomic and Electronic Structure Much of the chem that you learn is associated with electronic structure, since electrons can move around much more easily than protons or neutrons. Valences of the Elements Aufbau Principle and Electronic Structure Electron Configuration of the Elements Quantum Numbers and Electron Orbitals How Magnets Work Nuclear Chem Nuclear chemistry is concerned with the behavior of protons and neutrons in the atomic nucleus. Radiation and Radioactivity Isotopes and Nuclear Symbols Rate of Radioactive Decay Atomic Mass and Atomic Abundance Carbon-14 Dating Chem Practice Problems Index of Worked Chem Problems Printable Chem Worksheets Chem Quizzes How to Take a Chem Test Atom Basics Quiz Atomic Structure Quiz Acids and Bases Quiz Chemical Bonds Quiz Changes in State Quiz Compound Naming Quiz Element Number Quiz Element Picture Quiz Units of Measurement Quiz General Chem Tools Periodic Table. Use the periodic table to make predictions about element properties. Click on any element symbol to get facts about the element. Chem Glossary. Look up the definitions of unfamiliar chem terms. Chemical Structures. Find the structures for molecules, compounds, and functional groups. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Overview of High School Chemistry Topics." ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/high-school-chem-604137. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2021, February 16). Overview of High School Chemistry Topics. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/high-school-chem-604137 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Overview of High School Chemistry Topics." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/high-school-chem-604137 (accessed March 29, 2023). copy citation Watch Now: How To Write Chemical Formulas