~ David Porter gives students the leverage they need to succeed ~
“David Porter tutored my daughter in chemistry. Her chemistry teacher didn’t teach in a way that worked for her so I hired David to get her through the first semester. David acted as her only real chemistry instructor. When I was able to transfer my daughter to another class for the second semester she ended up doing great by the end of the year. My daughter graduated from UC Davis with a degree in chemistry! She has received a Rackham Merit Fellowship to pursue graduate studies in inorganic chemistry at University of Michigan. We remember David and just wanted to say thank you for getting her through that rough time. She could have come away from her high school chemistry experience with no intention of ever cracking a chemistry book again, but now it's her passion. David made a real difference in a short time. Thank you, Mr. Porter!” Parent of a high school student in Novato
“It’s been many years since David worked with our son on chemistry. He is doing very well, thanks in large part to David. Without David’s help, he could not have done nearly as well as he did in chemistry. David’s command of the subject, together with his patient and steady style made all the difference for him. Our son went on to earn a degree in biochemistry from U.C. Davis. While he was there, he received the Chancellor’s Award for his research in biochemistry. Following graduation from college, he landed a good job at Bio Marin, the pharmaceutical company. He is now attending graduate school at San Francisco State University in order to get a Masters in Biochemistry. Thank you David, and all the best.” Parent of a high school student in Novato
“David Porter is a gifted teacher & tutor. My 17 year old son has become a much stronger student with David's help. They work on algebra & chemistry. My son's grades have improved, and he feels more confidant in class, and that makes him feel great! Wish we had found David sooner!” Parent of a high school student in Novato
"There is no way I could have done it without your help." Novato AP Chemistry student
What do students learn in high school chemistry?
In the past, high school students typically took Chemistry in their junior year, following a year of Biology in their sophomore year. However, since the California science framework was revised in 2016, high schools are now reversing this order, with physics being taught in the freshman year, chemistry in the sophomore year and biology in the junior year.
The periodic table of the elements is arranged in rows (called periods) and columns (called families or groups) that show trends in physical and chemical properties based on atomic structure. Because these trends repeat in each period, we refer to this as periodicity.
Forming and breaking bonds are largely what Chemistry is about. Chemical, and physical properties of matter result from the ability of atoms to form bonds from the electrostatic forces between electrons and protons and between atoms and molecules. Energy is exchanged or transformed in all chemical reactions. In the formation of chemical bonds energy is released. Energy is absorbed when bonds are broken.
Organic Chemistry studies the bonding characteristics of carbon atoms that allow the formation of so many different organic molecules of varied sizes, shapes, and chemical properties. The propensity of carbon to combine so easily and in so many ways provides the biochemical basis of life.
The atoms and molecules that make up matter are in a constant state of motion. Kinetic means moving. The kinetic state of the molecules in matter describes the properties of gasses: volume, temperature and pressure. This is known as the kinetic molecular theory.
In order for bonds to form or break in a chemical reaction, the reacting molecules must collide often enough, with enough energy and in the right direction. How fast this happens is called a reaction rate. How far the reaction can go is described by chemical equilibrium, which students learn is a dynamic process at the molecular level.
The Chemistry student will study aqueous solutions in which a solid solute is dissolved into water (the solvent). Physical and chemical properties of solutions include the ability of electrolytic solutions to conduct electricity, and increase the boiling point or decrease the freezing point. Acids, bases, and salts are three classes of compounds that form ions in water solutions. They are these ions in the solution that conduct electricity in an electrolyte.
Balancing equations, an important fundamental skill the Chemistry student learns, comes from the law of conservation of matter. Everything that goes into a reaction must be accounted for after the reaction: nothing lost or gained. This includes energy. Conservation of energy is the counter part to conservation of matter. In fact energy and mass are different forms of the same thing as Albert Einstein showed in his famous equation E=mc2.
“It’s been many years since David worked with our son on chemistry. He is doing very well, thanks in large part to David. Without David’s help, he could not have done nearly as well as he did in chemistry. David’s command of the subject, together with his patient and steady style made all the difference for him. Our son went on to earn a degree in biochemistry from U.C. Davis. While he was there, he received the Chancellor’s Award for his research in biochemistry. Following graduation from college, he landed a good job at Bio Marin, the pharmaceutical company. He is now attending graduate school at San Francisco State University in order to get a Masters in Biochemistry. Thank you David, and all the best.” Parent of a high school student in Novato
“David Porter is a gifted teacher & tutor. My 17 year old son has become a much stronger student with David's help. They work on algebra & chemistry. My son's grades have improved, and he feels more confidant in class, and that makes him feel great! Wish we had found David sooner!” Parent of a high school student in Novato
"There is no way I could have done it without your help." Novato AP Chemistry student
What do students learn in high school chemistry?
In the past, high school students typically took Chemistry in their junior year, following a year of Biology in their sophomore year. However, since the California science framework was revised in 2016, high schools are now reversing this order, with physics being taught in the freshman year, chemistry in the sophomore year and biology in the junior year.
The periodic table of the elements is arranged in rows (called periods) and columns (called families or groups) that show trends in physical and chemical properties based on atomic structure. Because these trends repeat in each period, we refer to this as periodicity.
Forming and breaking bonds are largely what Chemistry is about. Chemical, and physical properties of matter result from the ability of atoms to form bonds from the electrostatic forces between electrons and protons and between atoms and molecules. Energy is exchanged or transformed in all chemical reactions. In the formation of chemical bonds energy is released. Energy is absorbed when bonds are broken.
Organic Chemistry studies the bonding characteristics of carbon atoms that allow the formation of so many different organic molecules of varied sizes, shapes, and chemical properties. The propensity of carbon to combine so easily and in so many ways provides the biochemical basis of life.
The atoms and molecules that make up matter are in a constant state of motion. Kinetic means moving. The kinetic state of the molecules in matter describes the properties of gasses: volume, temperature and pressure. This is known as the kinetic molecular theory.
In order for bonds to form or break in a chemical reaction, the reacting molecules must collide often enough, with enough energy and in the right direction. How fast this happens is called a reaction rate. How far the reaction can go is described by chemical equilibrium, which students learn is a dynamic process at the molecular level.
The Chemistry student will study aqueous solutions in which a solid solute is dissolved into water (the solvent). Physical and chemical properties of solutions include the ability of electrolytic solutions to conduct electricity, and increase the boiling point or decrease the freezing point. Acids, bases, and salts are three classes of compounds that form ions in water solutions. They are these ions in the solution that conduct electricity in an electrolyte.
Balancing equations, an important fundamental skill the Chemistry student learns, comes from the law of conservation of matter. Everything that goes into a reaction must be accounted for after the reaction: nothing lost or gained. This includes energy. Conservation of energy is the counter part to conservation of matter. In fact energy and mass are different forms of the same thing as Albert Einstein showed in his famous equation E=mc2.