Chemistry Made Simple

Matthew Macariou•chemistrymadesimple.net

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.

Last refreshed: March 30th, 2026 at 11:17 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

Everything About Acidic Buffers : Composition, How They Work, and How To Do Calculations

In this episode: Introduction to buffers- what are they What are acidic buffers made from? How do acidic buffers work How acidic buffers are prepared Assumptions when using the acid dissociation constant, Ka, with acidic buffers Those tricky calculations.... Read the full show notes here . Suggested listening: Episode 10 explains the calculations required with weak acids and the acid dissociation constant, Ka. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------...

May 11, 2021•12 min•Ep. 12

Bonus Episode: How to Recognise a Weak Acid?

This bonus episode gives you five things to look for to help you identify whether an acid is a weak acid . Your exam question is unlikely to spell that out for you. Very unlikely indeed. Here are the simple things to look for that will put you one step ahead of the examiner! Suggested listening: Episode 9 which introduces the difference between a strong acid and a weak acid and defines how to calculate pH. Episode 10 which explains the calculations required with weak acids and the acid dissociat...

May 06, 2021•5 min•Ep. 11

Using the Acid Dissociation Constant Ka with Weak Acids

Read the full show notes In this episode we simplify: What is the acid dissociation constant, Ka Calculating pH from the H+ concentration Calculating the H+ concentration from pH Calculate acid concentration [HA] for a weak acid Calculate the acid dissociation constant, Ka It's really not as difficult as it seems. Listen in and get chemistry confident. Suggested listening: Also listen to episode 9 which introduces the difference between a strong acid and a weak acid and defines how to calculate ...

Apr 26, 2021•14 min•Ep. 10

Strong Acids, Weak Acids and pH

Read the full show notes In this episode we: define acids (and bases) discuss why acids are SO reactive define and compare weak acids and strong acids (and talk about the common mistake made) talk about why pH is useful, and define how to calculate it Suggested listening: Also listen to episode 10 which discusses the assumptions used when making calculations involving weak acids, and introduces the acid dissociation constant. ----------------------------------------------------------------------...

Apr 13, 2021•9 min•Ep. 9

How To Use the Equilibrium Constant Kc

In this episode we consider how to quantify the position of equilibrium using the equilibrium constant Kc. We also talk through which changes of conditions cause a change in Kc value, and which don't. This will be something that will come up in your exams! You can read the article How to Use the Equilibrium Constant Kc ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Want to know more, or support the show? Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get...

Mar 30, 2021•11 min•Ep. 8

What are Equilibria and Reversible Reactions?

Read the show notes and article Equilibria and Reversible Reactions ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net Want to know more, or support the show? Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode patreon.com/chemistrymadesimple...

Mar 16, 2021•14 min•Ep. 7

What are Isotopes?

Read the companion article What are Isotopes? ___________________________________________________________ Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net Want to know more, or support the show? Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode patreon.com/chemistrymadesimple...

Mar 02, 2021•7 min•Ep. 6

How Mass Spectrometers Work

Download our guide to Mass How Mass Spectrometers Work Read the article How Mass Spectrometers Work ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net Want to know more, or support the show? Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode patreon.com/chemistrymadesimple...

Feb 16, 2021•8 min•Ep. 5

Atomic Orbitals and the True Nature of Electrons

Atomic orbitals download In this episode, I start by giving a definition of atomic orbitals. I talk about the different types and shapes, and explain that there are rules about which shell each orbital type can exist in. How many orbitals of each type? We talk about that too. Read more ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email Matthew@Chemis...

Feb 09, 2021•9 min•Ep. 4

What is Quantum Mechanics?

Read the article What is Quantum Mechanics and How Does it Affect the Atomic Model? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quantum mechanics is one of those phrases that makes many a chemistry student lose sleep. Because quantum mechanics, or quantum theory, is our attempt to describe the counter-intuitive behaviour of tiny particles. In this episode, we use two analogies to explain the discontinuous nature of quantum behaviour. From those analogi...

Feb 02, 2021•11 min•Ep. 3

How the Atomic Model Changes at A-Level

The atomic model you have been using so far is nice and basic, and simple to understand and apply. No awkward, inconsistent rules to worry about. But it has limitations. These limitations stop it from being useful beyond the first 20 elements, and for concepts that you are going to be using from this level. In the advanced model you'll discover that atoms are not that 2 dimensional, "solar system" model. You'll learn that electrons exist in orbitals within the shells, and that each shell can acc...

Jan 26, 2021•7 min•Ep. 2

What is the Chemistry Made Simple Podcast?

An introduction to your host Matthew, and how he can help you grow your chemistry grade. His key value is to demystify chemistry as much as possible, to clear the fog, to simplify. Each episode will bring you the essence of a topic, the clear account of what you need to know. An account that has been distilled through his face-to-face tuition with students just like you. Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email Matthew@ChemistryMadeSi...

Jan 19, 2021•4 min•Ep. 1

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