Chemistry Made Simple

40 Episodes
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By: Matthew Macariou

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...

How to Do a Titration - From Lab to Calculation
#102
03/10/2026

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.



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Avoid Chemistry Calculation Chaos - Know the Correct Units and How to Convert Them
#101
01/27/2026

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 Tips

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Master the Acid Dissociation Constant Ka, and Use it to Calculate pH of Weak Acids
#100
01/13/2026

The video version (to follow along on screen) is here

In 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 changed

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Master the Equilibrium Constant Kc
#99
12/30/2025

The video version can be seen here https://youtu.be/U2w2KIL2hB8


In 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 Principle

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What is a Reversible Reaction and an Equilibrium
#98
12/16/2025

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?

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What Exactly are Acids, pH, Strong & Weak Acids
#97
12/02/2025

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 concentration

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...


Master the Ideal Gas Equation in Chemistry
#96
11/18/2025

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 equation

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An Important Update
#1
11/04/2025

A short but important update about how and when you can hear the podcast going forwards.

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How to Do Calculations in Chemistry Using the Mole
#95
10/30/2025

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...


How My ADHD Helps Me to Help You Learn Chemistry
#94
10/21/2025

If you want to discuss anything from this episode, you can contact me:

Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy



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How to Balance Equations, and Why It Is So Important
#93
10/14/2025

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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 know

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Never Ignore a Mole - What is a Mole and Why it is so Important
#92
10/07/2025

In this episode:

What is a moleWhy we need a moleWhy we can't just use grams or amuHow to use moles in chemistry calculations

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What You Need to Know about Isotopes at A-Level
#91
09/23/2025

The video that demonstrates how to calculate RAM from isotope mass and relative abundance

In 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 mass

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How to Write and Understnd Electron Configuration
#90
09/16/2025

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 explained

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What is an atomic orbital, and what are the "rules" about orbitals?
#89
09/09/2025

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 type

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Quantum Mechanics - Two analogies to help you understand QM and quantum numbers.
#88
09/02/2025

The download mentioned in the episode: chemistrymadesimple.net/quantum

In this episode:

What is Quantum mechanicsAnalogy 1 - Stairs vs EscalatorAnalogy 2- Homemade coffee vs Automated barista coffeeQuantum numbers and their relevance to electrons

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How Quantum Mechanics makes the atom 3 dimensional, effects the shape of molecules, and dictates the periodic table's configuration
#87
08/26/2025

The download mentioned: Chemistrymadesimple.net/2

In 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.

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Physical, Organic, or Inorganic? How to navigate these chemistry topic groups.
#86
08/19/2025

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?

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Just how DIFFICULT is it to study advanced high school Chemistry? (With top tips from minute 10)
#85
08/12/2025

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...


What Changes With the Atomic Model When We Introduce Basic Quantum Mechanics?
#84
01/16/2024

Download mentioned in the episode.

In this episode

The basic atomic modelWhy we need to include basic quantum theoryEffect of Quantum Theory on atomic structure modelEffect of Quantum Theory on periodic table

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Experiment Using a Polarimeter to Measure Optical Activity - Including a Novel Analogy
#83
01/02/2024

In this episode, I describe the basic requirements of a polarimeter being used to measure optical activity of a chemical sample and the process of the experiment.

I also introduce a simple yet novel analogy that will help you remember the experimental details.


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...


What are Optical Isomerism, Chirality, Enantiomers and Plane-Polarized Light
#82
12/29/2023

In this episode:

What is optical isomerismEnantiomersChiral carbon and chiralityAsymmetric carbonOptical Activity and plane-polarized light

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Prefer to say a quick 'thank you'? You can buy me a coffee if that's your jam.

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How to Use and Understand 'Curly Arrows' in Reaction Mechanisms
#81
11/21/2023

In this episode:

What are curly arrows showingWhy we use a curved arrowMaking a new bondBreaking a bondA special case with two arrows

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What are Reaction Mechanisms, Electrophiles and Nucleophiles
#80
11/14/2023

In this episode:

Definition of MechanismHow a mechanism tells more than an equation or a simple diagramDefinition of electrophile with examplesDefinition of nucleophile with examples

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Determining the Rate Equation for a Chemical Reaction
#79
11/08/2023

In this episode:

Two ways to determine the order of reaction for reactantsHow to calculate the rate constant kHow to find the effect of changing temperature on the rate constant k

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...


What is the Rate Constant, and How to Use it.
#78
10/24/2023

In This episode:

The rate equationThe rate constantHow to determine units for the rate equationOrder of reaction

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What is the rate of reaction, and how can you find it experimentally?
#77
10/17/2023

In this episode:

Definition of rate of reactionHow to plot reaction dataHow to find the rate of reaction

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How To Predict Whether a Reaction Can Proceed, and at what Temperature - Gibbs Free Energy Change
#76
10/11/2023

In this episode

Introduction to Gibbs Free EnergyThe Gibbs Free Energy equationTake care with the units!How to do the calculationHow to Calculate the temperature that a reaction may occur at

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What is Entropy in Chemistry?
#75
09/26/2023

In this episode:

Definition of entropyImportance of entropyDefinitions of feasible, spontaneous, possibleUnits of entropyThe symbol for entropy and entropy changeHow to calculate entropy change

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Why I started This Podcast
#74
09/20/2023

In this episode, I talk about why I started the podcast, and about the rigid learning expectations of education settings.


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A quick update
#73
06/30/2023

Listen for a quick update on the podcast plans


How to Create and Use a Born-Haber Cycle
#72
06/13/2023

In this episode:

definition of a Born-Haber cyclehow to construct a Born-Haber cycle (with example)Calculating the lattice enthalpy of formation

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What Are Mean Bond Enthalpies?
#71
06/06/2023

In this episode:

Definition of Mean Bond EnthalpyHow the mean bond r]enthalpy is calculatedExamples of enthalpy that are specific, not mean

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Standard Enthalpy of Solution ΔHsol
#70
06/01/2023

In this episode:

Definition of Standard Enthalpy of SolutionThe chemical process that is measured by the enthalpy of solution

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Standard Enthalpy of Hydration ΔHhyd
#69
05/30/2023

In this episode:

Definition of Standard Enthalpy of HydrationThe chemical process that is measured by the enthalpy of hydrationExamplesCalculating enthalpies of hydration

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Lattice Enthalpy of Formation ΔHL
#68
05/25/2023

In this episode:

Definition of Lattice Enthalpy of Formation ΔHLThe chemical process described by lattice enthalpy of formationDefinition of Lattice Enthalpy of DissociationExothermic / EndothermicCalculating lattice enthalpies

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Electron Affinity ΔHea
#67
05/23/2023

In this episode:

Definition of electron affinityThe chemical process described by electron affinityFirst and subsequent electron affinitiesUse of electron affinity

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Ionization Energy ΔHie
#66
05/18/2023

In this episode:

Definition of First Ionization Energy Second and subsequent ionization energiesConfusion about second ionization energyUse of Ionization energy

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Standard Enthalpy of Atomization ΔHat
#65
05/16/2023

In this episode:

Definition of Standard Enthalpy of Atomization Standard ConditionsUse of Standard Enthalpy of atomization

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Standard Enthalpy of Combustion ΔHc
#64
05/11/2023

In this episode:

Definition of Standard Enthalpy of CombustionStandard ConditionsComplete combustionUse of Standard Enthalpy of combustion

Recommended listening: How to use the Enthalpy of Combustion

Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode. patreon.com/chemistrymadesimple


Prefer to say a quick 'thank you'? You can buy me a coffee if that's your jam.


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Instagram @ch...