Chemistry Tools Blog
Guides for the free 4AB chemistry tools: Crystal Lab, the 230 space groups, the structure editor, the Symmetry Lab, Chemistry Typing, the Periodic Table and the square-root shortcut. Filter by tool.
- Hydrogen: Properties, Discovery, Common Uses and MisconceptionsStudy hydrogen with data from the interactive periodic table tile. Learn its atomic mass, discovery by Cavendish, industrial uses, and key misconceptions.
- Transition Metals, Lanthanides and Actinides: What Makes the d- and f-Block DifferentUnderstand how d-block transition metals differ from lanthanides and actinides through orbital filling, oxidation states, and contraction effects.
- Periodic Trends Made Simple: Atomic Radius, Ionisation Energy and ElectronegativityLearn periodic trends in atomic radius, ionisation energy, and electronegativity with clear principles of nuclear charge, shielding, and key exceptions.
- How to Read the Periodic Table: Groups, Periods, Blocks and CategoriesLearn how to read the periodic table by understanding periods, groups, blocks, categories, tile details, and isotopic mass notations for chemistry.
- How to Learn the 118 Elements for Exams Without Rote-Memorising All of ThemLearn the 118 periodic elements for chemistry exams through families, blocks, Latin symbols, and active recall without stressful rote memorisation.
- Electron Configuration and the s, p, d, f Blocks: Reading It Straight off the TableLearn how to read electron configurations straight from the periodic table blocks, understand d-block shifts, anomalous stability, and cation formation.
- What Is a Point Group? Symmetry Elements and Operations ExplainedLearn what a point group is in molecular symmetry, how symmetry elements differ from operations, and how to identify groups using clear symmetry rules.
- What Symmetry Tells You: Polarity, Chirality and IR/Raman ActivityLearn how molecular point groups determine dipole moments, optical activity, and mutual exclusion in IR and Raman spectra with clear textbook rules.
- Practising Point Groups in 3D: A Method for the Symmetry Lab and Its ChallengeMaster molecular point groups with interactive 3D models, systematic decision trees, and structured practice routines using the online Symmetry Challenge.
- Point Groups of Common Molecules: A Quick Reference ListMaster the point groups of common molecules with this quick reference guide, covering molecular geometries, symmetry elements, and VSEPR predictions.
- How to Find the Point Group of a Molecule: A Step-by-Step FlowchartLearn how to find the point group of any molecule using a step-by-step flowchart with clear rules, worked examples, and practical symmetry checks.
- Writing Chemical Equations: Arrows, Reaction Conditions and State SymbolsLearn how to write balanced chemical equations with correct reaction arrows, conditions, state symbols, and energy terms for academic notes and papers.
- How to Type Chemical Formulas with Subscripts in Word (Without the Formatting Pain)Type chemical formulas with automatic subscripts and superscripts for Microsoft Word without toggling shortcut keys for every single digit or charge.
- Typing Ions, Charges, Isotopes and Nuclear Equations CorrectlyLearn how to format ionic charges, isotopes, and balanced nuclear decay equations accurately using simple text shortcuts for chemistry notes and papers.
- Adding Structures to Your Document: SMILES, PubChem Lookup and CaptionsLearn how to add 2D chemical structures, SMILES notations, and PubChem records with captions directly into chemistry notes and Word documents with ease.
- Copy to Word, Download .docx or Share on WhatsApp: Which Output Should You Use?Learn when to use Copy for Word, Download .docx, Unicode text for WhatsApp, or PDF export in Chemistry Typing for smooth chemistry teaching and study.