Why Isn't Chemistry as Popular as Bio and Physics?

Zahl Azizi
12 Nov 202105:14
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this video, the creator discusses why chemistry seems to be less popular than physics and biology, despite its essential role in the scientific community. They attribute this to the academic challenges, where students often prefer to avoid the math involved in chemistry or are drawn to the more specialized fields of physics and biology. The creator also points out that chemistry is harder to portray in media, lacks hands-on experiences for younger students compared to physics and biology, and is overshadowed by the more visually appealing aspects of space and nature. They invite viewers to share their thoughts on why chemistry might be less popular, highlighting the need for more representation and appreciation of chemistry in both education and popular culture.

Takeaways
  • ๐Ÿค” Chemistry is less popular than other hard sciences like physics and biology.
  • ๐Ÿ“Š Many students avoid chemistry due to the extensive math involved.
  • ๐Ÿ”ฌ Biology is popular because it requires less math and involves memorization.
  • ๐Ÿงฎ Students who enjoy math tend to gravitate towards physics.
  • ๐ŸŽฅ Chemistry is harder to portray in media compared to biology and physics.
  • ๐Ÿ Biology is easily represented in media with animal shows and nature documentaries.
  • ๐Ÿš€ Physics is popular in media due to shows about space and rockets.
  • ๐Ÿงช Chemistry is crucial for advancements in both biology and physics but often remains in the background.
  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ”ฌ Hands-on experience with chemistry is limited before college, making it less accessible.
  • โš—๏ธ Chemistry experiments in schools are basic and less engaging compared to physics and biology experiments.
  • ๐Ÿšธ Safety concerns limit the complexity of chemistry experiments for younger students.
Q & A
  • Why does the video suggest that chemistry is less popular than physics and biology?

    -The video suggests that chemistry is less popular because it requires both the memorization of biological concepts and the mathematical skills needed for physics, making it a challenging major to find students for. Additionally, it is portrayed less in media and popular culture, which may contribute to its lower popularity.

  • What is the role of mathematics in the perception of chemistry as a major?

    -According to the video, many students are deterred from choosing chemistry because it involves a significant amount of math, which can be a turn-off for those who prefer to avoid it, leading them to majors like biology instead.

  • How does the video explain the difficulty in portraying chemistry in media?

    -The video points out that chemistry is hard to portray in media because it doesn't have as many visually engaging or easily understandable concepts as biology and physics, which are often associated with more marketable topics like space and nature.

  • What are some examples given in the video of how biology and physics are portrayed in media?

    -The video mentions shows like Animal Planet and Discovery channels for biology, and numerous space-related shows for physics, indicating that these subjects are more accessible and visually engaging for the general audience.

  • Why does the video claim that chemistry is the 'universal science'?

    -Chemistry is referred to as the 'universal science' because it acts as a foundation for other sciences, requiring a combination of theoretical knowledge and mathematical skills, and it is instrumental in various scientific fields.

  • What is the video's perspective on the hands-on experience with chemistry compared to biology and physics?

    -The video suggests that it's harder to get hands-on experience with chemistry due to the potential dangers involved in chemical experiments, especially for younger students, which contrasts with the ease of conducting biology and physics experiments.

  • How does the lack of hands-on experience with chemistry at an early age affect its popularity according to the video?

    -The video implies that the lack of early hands-on experience with chemistry can limit students' exposure to the subject's exciting aspects, which might contribute to its lower popularity compared to biology and physics.

  • What does the video suggest as a reason for the lack of chemistry-related content in popular culture?

    -The video suggests that the lack of chemistry-related content in popular culture could be due to its perceived lower marketability and difficulty in presenting complex chemical concepts in an engaging way for the general public.

  • What is the video's stance on the importance of chemistry in relation to other sciences like biology and physics?

    -Despite chemistry being less popular, the video emphasizes its importance, stating that chemists are instrumental to the advancement of other sciences, including the development of materials and understanding the chemistry behind various phenomena.

  • What is the video creator's call to action for the audience?

    -The video creator encourages the audience to share their thoughts on why chemistry might be less popular than biology and physics by commenting their opinions below the video.

  • How does the video address the issue of the portrayal of chemistry in shows like 'Breaking Bad'?

    -The video acknowledges 'Breaking Bad' as a show about chemistry but notes that it does not exactly put chemistry in a good light, suggesting that the show's depiction may not be contributing positively to the popularity of chemistry as a field of study.

Outlines
00:00
๐Ÿงช Chemistry's Popularity Compared to Physics and Biology

In this paragraph, the speaker, Zol, discusses the perceived lack of popularity of chemistry as a major compared to physics and biology. They suggest that the academic requirements might be a factor, as students often choose biology to avoid the math involved in chemistry, or physics for those who enjoy math, leaving chemistry as a less popular choice for those who want a combination of both. The speaker also touches on the difficulty of portraying chemistry in media and the lack of hands-on experiences available before college, which contrasts with the more accessible and visually engaging subjects of biology and physics. The paragraph concludes with the observation that despite chemistry's crucial role in supporting other sciences, it remains less visible and less celebrated in popular culture.

05:01
๐Ÿ“ข Inviting Discussion on Chemistry's Popularity

In the second paragraph, Zol invites viewers to share their thoughts on why chemistry might be less popular than biology and physics. Acknowledging that the video is shorter than usual, Zol expresses a genuine interest in hearing different perspectives on the topic. They encourage viewers to comment their opinions and experiences, indicating a desire for a community discussion around the subject of chemistry's visibility and appeal as an academic field.

Mindmap
Keywords
๐Ÿ’กChemistry
Chemistry is the scientific study of the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter. In the video's context, it's noted as being less popular than other hard sciences like physics and biology. The script mentions that chemistry requires a mix of theoretical memorization and mathematical skills, which might deter some students from choosing it as a major.
๐Ÿ’กPopularity
Popularity, in this context, refers to the preference or favor that a subject receives in terms of attention and interest from students and the general public. The video discusses why chemistry seems to be less popular than biology and physics, suggesting that it might be due to the nature of the subject and its portrayal in media.
๐Ÿ’กPhysics
Physics is a branch of science that deals with matter and energy, and their interactions. The script suggests that physics tends to receive more attention in popular culture and media, possibly because of the fascination with space and the universe, which overshadows chemistry.
๐Ÿ’กBiology
Biology is the study of living organisms and their vital processes. The video script points out that biology is often more accessible and visually engaging for the public, with shows like Animal Planet and Discovery Channel making it more popular than chemistry.
๐Ÿ’กAcademics
Academics here refers to the field of study and the educational aspects of a subject. The script mentions that the academic rigor and the breadth of chemistry, which combines theory and math, might make it less appealing to students who prefer specialization.
๐Ÿ’กMedia Portrayal
Media portrayal is how subjects are depicted in television, film, and other forms of media. The video suggests that chemistry is not as easily portrayed in media as biology or physics, with fewer shows or documentaries highlighting its importance and appeal.
๐Ÿ’กHands-on Experience
Hands-on experience refers to practical, interactive engagement with a subject. The script notes that it's more challenging to provide hands-on chemistry experiences, especially for children, due to safety concerns, which contrasts with the ease of conducting biology and physics experiments.
๐Ÿ’กSpecialization
Specialization in the context of the video means focusing on a particular area of study within a broader field. Chemistry is described as a universal science with many different fields, which might deter students looking for a more specialized experience.
๐Ÿ’กMarketability
Marketability refers to the potential of a subject to attract interest and be promoted in media and popular culture. The script suggests that chemistry might be less popular because it is perceived as less marketable, with fewer opportunities to showcase its 'cool' aspects in media.
๐Ÿ’กCandid Video
A candid video is one where the creator shares personal thoughts and opinions openly. The video script mentions that it will be a candid discussion about the perceived lack of popularity of chemistry, inviting viewers to share their thoughts as well.
๐Ÿ’กComment Section
The comment section is a feature on video platforms where viewers can post their thoughts and engage in discussion. The script invites viewers to share their opinions on why chemistry might be less popular, indicating an interactive aspect of the video.
Highlights

Chemistry seems less popular than physics and biology in academia and popular culture.

Many students choose biology to avoid the math required in chemistry.

Students who prefer math often opt for physics.

Chemistry is a combination of theory and math, appealing to a smaller group.

Chemistry's broad field and lack of specialization might deter some students.

Media finds it challenging to portray chemistry compared to biology and physics.

Shows like 'Breaking Bad' do not positively represent chemistry.

Biology and physics are more easily depicted in media, making them more relatable.

Chemistry's role in other sciences is often overlooked in media representation.

Hands-on chemistry experiments are more dangerous and less accessible than those in biology and physics.

High school chemistry classes often lack the depth and excitement of real chemistry.

The lack of engaging chemistry experiments for kids can limit early interest.

Simpler physics and biology experiments are safer and more accessible for children.

The video creator invites viewers to share their thoughts on why chemistry is less popular.

The video is a candid discussion on the perceived lesser popularity of chemistry.

Transcripts
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