I did not realize this when I signed up for the two classes this semester, but I get the feeling that being enrolled in both calculus and chemistry this semester was a great idea. I didn’t remember how much math was involved in chemistry until I was going through my first homework assignment and realized that conversions are doable through an algebraic equation. I know algebra is not quite as advanced as calculus… but I have a feeling that as I delve deeper into Chemistry (Chem 2, and then Organic Chem 1 & 2) I will need more and more calculus level math.

To show you what I’m talking about, I got a problem on my chemistry homework that went something like this:

Convert 1.74 g/cm^3 into kg/m^3.

Like a deer in headlights, I felt my heart sink. See, I have this little problem. I have the WORST ability to convert things. I cannot explain this phenomenon but basically what happens is when trying to convert say g to kg, I end up doing the opposite of what I was supposed to do… I think, ok 1 gram is 1000 kg, so to convert a kilogram into a gram, I simply multiply it by 1000. WRONG. I don’t know why I do this. Then the margin of error goes up when I try to convert the measurements separately, and end up with two wrong numbers on top of each other. I did at least 10 of the stupid chemistry problems about 20 times each until I finally got it right. But now, after my god-send of a chemistry teacher showed me the light, I find myself making no errors. All I have to do is line it up algebraically. So here is what it looks like algebra-style.

xkg/m^3=\frac{1.74g}{1cm^3}(\frac{1kg}{1000g})(\frac{100^3cm^3}{1^3m^3})=\dfrac{1740kg}{m^3}

by cancelling out grams and centimeters cubed I was able to get to kg over cubed meters. This was much more coherent for me, lining up the numerator and denominator in a way that they continue to cancel each other out until you get the numbers you need. My chemistry teacher taught us this method and I think it’s the most genius method I’ve ever seen. No one has ever given me an algebraic way of converting… I’m thrilled!

Professor M. asked us to look at calculus in ways that it helped us in other areas of life, including other classes, and already I am seeing just the refresher we had at the beginning of the first week helping me out in chemistry. Perhaps having these two classes will help gain a deeper knowledge and retention of both. One can hope.