If General Chemistry was Real Life

The Art of Reaction – When Chemistry Meets the Canvas

April 11, 2025

Memory Palaces

October 10, 2025

Published by Physeo Blog on October 3, 2025

Summary (TL;DR)

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General chemistry is often compared to real life, with concepts like titration curves, limiting reactants, and reaction rates reflecting our daily struggles. Life’s “equivalence point” feels like the breaking point between patience and breakdowns, while we often find ourselves as the limiting reactant, running out of energy or time first.

Different types of chemical reactions mirror human experiences: synthesis, decomposition, combustion, and emotional meltdowns. Bonding energy reflects the difficulty of commitment, where stronger bonds take more effort to break, just like close friendships or relationships.

Kinetics represents the pace of life, with first-order reactions symbolizing reliance on one thing, like coffee. Rate constants can’t be negative, but GPAs can. Functional groups in chemistry take priority, just like caffeine, sleep, and food in life. Memorizing them feels like an uphill battle.

Molecular versus electron geometry symbolizes expectations versus reality, while theoretical yield captures unrealistic goals—what we plan versus what actually happens. Balancing equations reflects the attempt to balance work, studies, relationships, and well-being, even if perfection is impossible.

In the end, chemistry represents the structure of the universe—electron configurations, diffusion, and conservation laws remind us that life itself is governed by unseen principles. We memorize, struggle, and adapt, occasionally managing to balance everything without falling apart.

Chapter 1: Life Is Just a Titration Curve

Chemistry wants you to believe in precision. But here’s a fun fact: the equivalence point in chemistry (the point at which chemically equivalent amounts of acid and base have reacted) is basically the moment where life says, “That’s enough emotional base, thanks,” and throws you into an identity crisis. It’s dramatic. It’s colorful. And just like an acid-base titration, if you miss the equivalence point on a titration curve, you either get nothing… or you completely and irreversibly overdo it.

So next time someone asks where is the equivalence point on a titration curve, just say, “Probably somewhere between my last ounce of patience and a full-blown breakdown.”

Chapter 2: You Are the Limiting Reactant

How do you determine the limiting reactant? Easy: it’s the thing that runs out first in a chemical reaction and determines how much product can be made. Kind of like motivation during finals week. Or self-confidence after reading a physical chemistry textbook.

To figure it out in chemistry terms, you ask: how to calculate limiting reactants? You compare the mole ratios of the reactants to see which one is consumed first. But in life, it’s more like: "How many hours of sleep do I need to be functional, and how many do I actually get?" Spoiler: you’ll always be the limiting reactant.

Chapter 3: Reactions and Other Forms of Chaos

There are different types of reactions in chemistry: synthesis (two or more substances combine to form one product), decomposition (one substance breaks down into two or more), single replacement, double replacement, combustion, and the emotional kind that happens during orgo exams. We label these as types of chemistry reactions or what are the types of reactions in chemistry, because everything sounds more legitimate when you use Google-level phrasing.

In life, we mostly do combustion. Usually emotionally. Sometimes professionally.

Chapter 4: Bonding Energy, or Why Commitment Is Hard

What is bonding energy? It's the energy required to break one mole of bonds in gaseous molecules — essentially, the energy it takes to separate two atoms. In molecules, that means atoms. In adulthood, that means therapy and a shared Netflix password.

The stronger the bond (e.g., triple bonds have higher bonding energy than single bonds), the more energy it takes to break it. Just like friendships you formed during group projects — built on trauma, held together by shared Google Docs and caffeine.

Chapter 5: Kinetics, But Make It Existential

Let’s talk reaction rates. The rate law of first order reaction says the rate depends on the concentration of a single reactant raised to the first power: rate = k[A]. Just one. Like relying on your morning coffee to kickstart all your bodily functions.

Need to go deeper? You’ll be finding the rate constant (k), which determines the speed of the reaction, like it’s the Holy Grail. Good luck determining the rate constant without also determining that your soul is tired. And no, rate constants can’t be negative — but your GPA can.

Also, for those of you asking how to survive second year? It’s all first, second and zero order reactions and zero social life. Reaction order and rate laws don’t lie.

Chapter 6: Functional Groups Have More Priority Than You Do

In IUPAC nomenclature, there’s a priority order of functional groups, used to decide which functional group gives a molecule its base name. In life, it’s the same: caffeine, sleep, food, then maybe studying.

But the naming rules are strict. You must know the priority group chemistry, how to determine highest priority functional group, and why alcohol groups chemistry (hydroxyl groups, –OH) always show up to the party, but azoles mechanism of action (interfere with fungal cytochrome P450 enzymes) can’t even RSVP on time.

Also, if you’re wondering how to memorize the functional groups, just cry into your flashcards until osmosis takes over.

Chapter 7: The Geometry of Regret

What’s the difference between molecular geometry and electron geometry? Molecular geometry describes the shape formed by the atoms in a molecule. Electron geometry includes all electron regions (including lone pairs). About as much as the difference between what you planned for your future and where you are now.

If that’s too real, just remember: molecular geometry types are how atoms see themselves on Instagram. Electron geometry is how they look on Zoom.

Chapter 8: Theoretical Yield and Your Unrealistic Expectations

Theoretical yield formula chemistry tells you the maximum amount of product that could be formed from a given amount of reactant, assuming perfect conditions. Which, much like your career plan at age 18, is a complete fantasy.

In reality, we make do. We calculate what we should have gotten, sigh, and accept the fact that actual yield = disappointment ÷ optimism. Welcome to adulthood, where theoretical yield and limiting reagents apply to everything from cooking to ambition.

Chapter 9: Balancing Equations (And Your Life)

What is balancing equations in chemistry? It’s the process of ensuring the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of a chemical equation — a reflection of the Law of Conservation of Mass.

Why is it essential to balance a chemical equation? Because the universe likes fairness. Or because math says so.

Same reason you’re trying to balance work, study, gym, hydration, therapy, cooking, friendships, and your caffeine dependency. Spoiler: you can’t. But you’ll still be tested on balancing equations rules and steps to balance a chemical equation, so keep pretending.

Final Thoughts: Chemistry Is Life. Unfortunately.

From electron configuration and energy levels (how electrons are distributed among orbitals in atoms) to passive diffusion (the movement of substances across membranes without energy), general chemistry is the language of the universe. That doesn’t mean you’ll use it. But it does mean it’ll show up on your exam, your MCAT, and possibly your nightmares.

And so we learn. We memorize. We panic. We survive.

And occasionally, we even balance an equation without crying.

Topic FAQs

1 What is the equivalence point in chemistry?

The equivalence point is when equal amounts of acid and base react. In the text, it’s compared to life’s breaking point between patience and a full-blown breakdown.

2 How do you determine the limiting reactant?

The limiting reactant is the one that runs out first and controls how much product forms. In life, it’s like running out of energy or motivation before finishing tasks.

3 What are the main types of chemical reactions?

Common reactions include synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, and combustion. The text humorously adds emotional combustion during exams.

4 What does bonding energy mean?

Bonding energy is the energy needed to break one mole of bonds. Stronger bonds take more energy to break, just like strong friendships or commitments in life.

5 What is the rate law of a first-order reaction?

The rate law states that the reaction rate depends on the concentration of one reactant raised to the first power. It’s like relying on morning coffee to function.

6 Can a rate constant be negative?

No, a rate constant cannot be negative. The text jokes, though, that while constants stay positive, your GPA can definitely go down.

7 What is the priority order of functional groups?

In IUPAC naming, functional groups have a set priority that decides the base name of a molecule. In life, it’s compared to caffeine, sleep, food, then studying.

8 What is the difference between molecular and electron geometry?

Molecular geometry shows the shape formed by atoms, while electron geometry includes lone pairs. It’s like Instagram versus Zoom: expectations vs reality.

9 What is theoretical yield in chemistry?

Theoretical yield is the maximum possible product under perfect conditions. In real life, actual yield is always less—just like plans versus reality.

10 Why is balancing chemical equations important?

Balancing ensures the law of conservation of mass is followed. The text compares it to trying to balance work, study, relationships, and caffeine intake.

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