Podcast · Tech & Science

Chemistry Made Simple

by Matthew Macariou · English · Tech & Science

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 a

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 8 min
Latest: 18 May 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

18 May 2026 · 17 min

Oxidation States: The Scorecard You Need For Every Redox Reaction and Half-Equation.

Watch the YouTube version. In this episode: What are oxidation states Rules for oxidation States How to calculate oxidation states Elements with limited oxidation states Elements with varied oxidation states Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academy Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenote Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community . Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each episode.…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E103 · 30 Mar 2026 · 12 min
Group 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 academy Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenote Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community .
E102 · 9 Mar 2026 · 22 min
How 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 academy 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. Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact…
E101 · 26 Jan 2026 · 16 min
Avoid 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 units The units you're given are often not the ones you need to use The units to use for the volume of liquid or the volume of gases The unit for temperature The unit for pressure The unit for the amount of substance The unit for concentration The units for energy change My Pro Tips Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academy Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email…
E100 · 12 Jan 2026 · 12 min
Master the Acid Dissociation Constant Ka, and Use it to Calculate pH of Weak Acids
The video version (to follow along on screen) is here In this episode: What is the acid dissociation constant What do we mean by the dissociation of an acid What is a weak acid How to write the expression for the acid dissociation constant How to rearrange the expression to help calculate pH What happens to Ka when the temperature is changed Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenote Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple…
E99 · 29 Dec 2025 · 15 min
Master the Equilibrium Constant Kc
The video version can be seen here https://youtu.be/U2w2KIL2hB8 In this episode: What is the equilibrium constant What is the equilibrium constant used for What are the units of Kc How to write the equilibrium constant expression The effect of changing the temperature The effect of changing the concentration The effect of changing the pressure The effect of a catalyst The Kc for the reverse reaction Le Chatelier's Principle Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academy Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email…
E98 · 15 Dec 2025 · 16 min
What is a Reversible Reaction and an Equilibrium
In this episode: What is a reversible reaction? How to spot a reversible reaction Use the correct arrow! What is equilibrium? What is necessary to achieve equilibrium? Disturbing an equilibrium, and La Chatelier's Principle What happens to an equilibrium when you add a catalyst? Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academy Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenote Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community . Become…
E97 · 1 Dec 2025 · 10 min
What Exactly are Acids, pH, Strong & Weak Acids
In this episode: Definition of an acid Why acids and hydrogen ions are so reactive What pH means and how to calculate it Strong acids, weak acids and concentration Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academy 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. Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenote Join…
E96 · 17 Nov 2025 · 8 min
Master the Ideal Gas Equation in Chemistry
In this episode: What is the ideal gas equation? How to use the ideal gas equation The biggest mistakes when using the ideal gas equation The units to use - pay special attention When to use the ideal gas equation Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenote Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community . Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academy Become a Patreon supporter of the podcast and get more from each…
S1 · E1 · 3 Nov 2025 · 1 min
An 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 @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenote Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community . 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. Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academy
E95 · 29 Oct 2025 · 16 min
How 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 elements Using the mole to calculate empirical formulae Using the mole to calculate % composition Using the mole to calculate the concentration of solutions Using the mole to calculate the volume of gas Using the mole to do calculations for equilibria, weak acids, weak bases and buffers Using the mole to calculate how many moles, grams or litres of gas are used or created in a reaction Using the mole to calculate pH Using the mole to…
E94 · 20 Oct 2025 · 10 min
How 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 @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenote Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community .
E93 · 13 Oct 2025 · 12 min
How to Balance Equations, and Why It Is So Important
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. In this episode: What is a chemical equation What are equations for Why is balancing equations so important How to balance equations The Golden Rule The one thing you mustn't balance Three types of equations you need to know Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note for me:…
E92 · 6 Oct 2025 · 6 min
Never Ignore a Mole - What is a Mole and Why it is so Important
In this episode: What is a mole Why we need a mole Why we can't just use grams or amu How to use moles in chemistry calculations Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academy Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenote Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community . 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…
E91 · 23 Sep 2025 · 8 min
What You Need to Know about Isotopes at A-Level
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 table What are isotopes, and how do they differ from each other? What are the differences in the behaviour of different isotopes? Relative abundance How do we calculate relative atomic mass considering relative abundance and isotope mass Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note for me:…
E90 · 15 Sep 2025 · 8 min
How to Write and Understand Electron Configuration
The download mentioned in this episode: https://chemistrymadesimple.net/orbital/ In this episode: What does electron configuration mean for atoms and simple ions Which orbitals fill first? Do electrons pair up in orbitals or half-fill the subshell first? The funny thing about 3d and 4s subshells Electron configuration notation explained Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenote Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast…
E89 · 8 Sep 2025 · 7 min
What 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 orbital Using the probability of an electron's location Different types of atomic orbitals How many electrons can be in an orbital, and how they MUST differ Which atomic orbitals exist in which electron shells or energy levels How many orbitals of each orbital type Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenote Join the…
E88 · 1 Sep 2025 · 8 min
Quantum Mechanics - Two analogies to help you understand QM and quantum numbers.
The download mentioned in the episode: chemistrymadesimple.net/quantum In this episode: What is Quantum mechanics Analogy 1 - Stairs vs Escalator Analogy 2- Homemade coffee vs Automated barista coffee Quantum numbers and their relevance to electrons Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenote Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community . Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academy Become a Patreon supporter of the…
E87 · 25 Aug 2025 · 8 min
How Quantum Mechanics makes the atom 3 dimensional, effects the shape of molecules, and dictates the periodic table's configuration
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 shells Subshells and orbitals 3D shape of orbitals Orbitals, bond angles and shape of molecules The 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…
E86 · 18 Aug 2025 · 6 min
Physical, 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 @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenote Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community . Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academy Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academy
E85 · 11 Aug 2025 · 14 min
Just 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…
E84 · 15 Jan 2024 · 6 min
What Changes With the Atomic Model When We Introduce Basic Quantum Mechanics?
Download mentioned in the episode. In this episode The basic atomic model Why we need to include basic quantum theory Effect of Quantum Theory on atomic structure model Effect of Quantum Theory on periodic table 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. Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academy Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note…
E83 · 1 Jan 2024 · 6 min
Experiment Using a Polarimeter to Measure Optical Activity - Including a Novel Analogy
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. 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. Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academy Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email…
E82 · 28 Dec 2023 · 7 min
What are Optical Isomerism, Chirality, Enantiomers and Plane-Polarized Light
In this episode: What is optical isomerism Enantiomers Chiral carbon and chirality Asymmetric carbon Optical Activity and plane-polarized light 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. Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academy Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenote Join the discussion at the…
E81 · 20 Nov 2023 · 5 min
How to Use and Understand 'Curly Arrows' in Reaction Mechanisms
In this episode: What are curly arrows showing Why we use a curved arrow Making a new bond Breaking a bond A special case with two arrows 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. Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academy Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenote Join the discussion at the…
E80 · 13 Nov 2023 · 5 min
What are Reaction Mechanisms, Electrophiles and Nucleophiles
In this episode: Definition of Mechanism How a mechanism tells more than an equation or a simple diagram Definition of electrophile with examples Definition of nucleophile with examples 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. Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academy Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note for me:…
E79 · 7 Nov 2023 · 9 min
Determining the Rate Equation for a Chemical Reaction
In this episode: Two ways to determine the order of reaction for reactants How to calculate the rate constant k How to find the effect of changing temperature on the rate constant k 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. Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academy Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note for me:…
E78 · 23 Oct 2023 · 8 min
What is the Rate Constant, and How to Use it.
In This episode: The rate equation The rate constant How to determine units for the rate equation Order of reaction Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academy 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. Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenote Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple…
E77 · 16 Oct 2023 · 6 min
What is the rate of reaction, and how can you find it experimentally?
In this episode: Definition of rate of reaction How to plot reaction data How to find the rate of reaction 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. Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academy Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenote Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast…
E76 · 10 Oct 2023 · 9 min
How To Predict Whether a Reaction Can Proceed, and at what Temperature - Gibbs Free Energy Change
In this episode Introduction to Gibbs Free Energy The Gibbs Free Energy equation Take care with the units! How to do the calculation How to Calculate the temperature that a reaction may occur at 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. Check out the Chemistry Made Simple academy Find out more about the Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email [email protected] Record a voice note for me:…

About Chemistry Made Simple

Chemistry Made Simple is a English tech & science podcast from Matthew Macariou. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Matthew Macariou
Language: English
Category: Tech & Science
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 8 min
Latest episode: 18 May 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1549741129

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