Chemistry Made Simple

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 have useful takeaways to help you on your way.

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20 episodes
Updated May 18

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Episodes20

Newest first

May 18 · 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 Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net 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.
March 30 · 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 Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net Record a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenote Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.
March 9 · 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 me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net Record a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenote Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.
January 26 · 15 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 Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net 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.
January 12 · 11 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 Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net 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
Dec 29, 2025 · 14 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 Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net 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.
Dec 15, 2025 · 15 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 Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net 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.
Dec 1, 2025 · 9 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 Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net Record a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenote Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.
Nov 17, 2025 · 7 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 Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net 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 episode. patreon.com/chemistrymadesimple Prefer to say a quick 'thank you'? You can buy me a coffee if that's your jam.
Nov 3, 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 Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net 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
Oct 29, 2025 · 15 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 determine the limiting reagent 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 Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net Record a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenote Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.
Oct 20, 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 Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net Record a voice note for me: chemistrymadesimple.net/voicenote Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.
Oct 13, 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 Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net 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
Oct 6, 2025 · 5 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 Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net 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.
Sep 23, 2025 · 7 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 Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net 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 episode. patreon.com/chemistrymadesimple Prefer to say a quick 'thank you'? You can buy me a coffee if that's your jam.
Sep 15, 2025 · 8 min
How to Write and Understnd 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 Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net 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 episode. patreon.com/chemistrymadesimple Prefer to say a quick 'thank you'? You can buy me a coffee if that's your jam.
Sep 8, 2025 · 6 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 Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net 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 episode. patreon.com/chemistrymadesimple Prefer to say a quick 'thank you'? You can buy me a coffee if that's your jam.
Sep 1, 2025 · 7 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 Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net 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 episode. patreon.com/chemistrymadesimple Prefer to say a quick 'thank you'? You can buy me a coffee if that's your jam.
Aug 25, 2025 · 7 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 patreon.com/chemistrymadesimple Find out more about the programme mentioned in the episode Chemistry Made Simple academy Contact me: Instagram @chemistrymadesimple Email Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net Join the discussion at the Chemistry Made Simple podcast community.
Aug 18, 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 Matthew@ChemistryMadeSimple.net 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

Chemistry Made Simple

Support the show

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

Group 2 Elements and Their Compounds - The Reaction and Trends You Need to Know

How to Do a Titration - From Lab to Calculation

Avoid Chemistry Calculation Chaos - Know the Correct Units and How to Convert Them

Master the Acid Dissociation Constant Ka, and Use it to Calculate pH of Weak Acids

Master the Equilibrium Constant Kc

What is a Reversible Reaction and an Equilibrium

What Exactly are Acids, pH, Strong & Weak Acids

Master the Ideal Gas Equation in Chemistry

An Important Update

How to Do Calculations in Chemistry Using the Mole

How My ADHD Helps Me to Help You Learn Chemistry

How to Balance Equations, and Why It Is So Important

Never Ignore a Mole - What is a Mole and Why it is so Important

What You Need to Know about Isotopes at A-Level

How to Write and Understnd Electron Configuration

What is an atomic orbital, and what are the "rules" about orbitals?

Quantum Mechanics - Two analogies to help you understand QM and quantum numbers.

How Quantum Mechanics makes the atom 3 dimensional, effects the shape of molecules, and dictates the periodic table's configuration

Physical, Organic, or Inorganic? How to navigate these chemistry topic groups.