Owen Thornton
Experienced biology, chemistry (gen, AP, orgo, biochem), tutor, who emphasizes understanding and helps prep for MCAT/DAT/OAT exams
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Owen Thornton
Doctorate degree
/ 55 min
Owen Your chemistry tutor
My name is Owen, and as a Neuroscience major at UNC with a 3.9 GPA, I’ve learned that success comes from mastering the fundamentals and truly playing with the problems until they make sense. Whether you are battling Gen Chem or diving into Organic or biochemistry, I believe that anything is possible when it comes to your learning. I was taught by the UNC learning center in upper level education classes on a style of teaching that is about asking questions and helping whomever I work with push forward and figure out the answers to help reinforce their own learning. Whether that is working on homework problems, or if you need extra help and would like me to do a little extra work to put together some practice problems to tackle some key concepts, I can do it all. I also have plenty of resources from the past that helped me succeed. I currently am starting dental school at the University of Michigan, ranked number one in the country. I have extensive experience with standardized testing, whether that be the MCAT or the DAT, OAT, and other science based examinations, I am always happy to help with both guidance and improvement on scores. I strongly believe that any subject can be enjoyable, and I have tutored in 13 subjects, from neuroscience or Chinese to biology, and I would say chemistry is by far one of my favorite subjects, especially learning the foundations of organic chemistry or general chemistry, as those are imperative to the future.
Specialities of your chemistry tutor
Personalized learning plans
Career guidance
Advanced Placement (AP) Program (USA)
Next Generation Science Standards - NGSS (USA)
Chemistry lab skills
Test prep strategies
Common Core State Standards - CCSS (USA)
Visual learning
Types of learners for chemistry class
College students
High School students
ADHD
Expert in simplifying chemistry concepts
Breaks down tough chemistry topics like organic chemistry, chemical reactions, and thermodynamics into easy steps.
Trusted by 95% of Parents
Parents report noticeable academic improvement in chemistry within months of tutoring.
Interactive quizzes for better retention
Students find it easy to retain chemistry concepts through engaging interactive quizzes and activities.
Your chemistry tutor also teaches
Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Atomic Structure
Chemical Bonding
Biochemistry
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15 days Refund
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Chemistry concepts taught by Owen
The tutor and student reviewed concepts in thermodynamics, including enthalpy, Hess's Law, entropy, and Gibbs free energy. They practiced calculating enthalpy and entropy changes and discussed the factors influencing spontaneity and the conditions under which reactions proceed. The next session will focus on calculating Gibbs free energy.
Entropy (S) and Disorder
Spontaneity and Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG)
Hess's Law and Enthalpy Calculations
Systems and Energy Transfer
The tutor and student explored fundamental concepts in thermodynamics, including energy changes, exothermic and endothermic processes, and different types of thermodynamic systems. They delved into standard enthalpy of formation, Hess's Law, and the concept of spontaneity, entropy, and predicting entropy changes. The session focused on understanding these principles through examples and practice problems.
Thermodynamic Systems
Enthalpy and Heat Transfer
Standard Enthalpy of Formation
Hess's Law and Path Independence
Entropy and Disorder
Spontaneity and Gibbs Free Energy
The Tutor and Student worked through practice exam problems in Organic Chemistry, focusing on reaction mechanisms (SN1, SN2, E1, E2), stereochemistry (R/S configurations), and acid-base chemistry. They practiced identifying reaction types, predicting products, and understanding factors affecting reaction rates and outcomes, with plans to continue practicing these concepts.
Stereochemistry: R/S Configuration and Priorities
Reaction Mechanisms: SN1 vs. SN2
Acid-Base Chemistry in Organic Reactions
Solvent Effects on SN1 and SN2 Reactions
The tutor and student reviewed intermolecular forces (IMFs), including London Dispersion Forces, dipole-dipole interactions, and hydrogen bonding, and their relation to molecular polarity and geometry. They practiced drawing Lewis structures, determining molecular geometry, and identifying the strongest IMF in various molecules.
Covalent vs. Ionic Bonding
Molecular Geometry and Electron Geometry
Intermolecular Forces (IMFs)
Polarity and Dipole Moments
The student and tutor worked through various organic chemistry problems, focusing on elimination and substitution reactions, carbocation rearrangements, and reaction mechanism determination. They reviewed key concepts for exams and discussed strategies for condensing notes and recalling information.
E2 Elimination Reactions
SN1 vs. SN2 Reactions
Carbocation Rearrangements (Hydride and Methyl Shifts)
Polar Protic vs. Polar Aprotic Solvents
The tutor and student reviewed concepts of linear equations applied to chemical kinetics, specifically calculating activation energy from gradient data. They then delved into enzyme kinetics, discussing the Michaelis-Menten model, enzyme saturation, and the distinction between first-order and zero-order reaction rates based on substrate concentration. Follow-up topics for the next session include thermodynamics and redox equations.
Linear Equation Derivations
Activation Energy (EA) Calculation
Michaelis-Menten Kinetics: Saturation
Enzyme Saturation and Reaction Order
Tools & techniques used by chemistry tutor
Interactive diagrams
Interactive 3D models
Video conferencing
Practice worksheets
Digital whiteboard
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Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.