Main Sequence     Overview Cycle     Interdisciplinary Discussions     Verbal Reasoning     Essay

Module 3 - Gravitational & Electrostatic Force

Before we discuss our objectives for module three, it would be wise to take stock of what we have already achieved. At this stage in the Main Sequence we have carried out a careful study of Mechanics and Waves. Take a moment and orient ourselves within the rest of Physics. Where have we been and where do we need to go? We have covered Mechanics and Waves, but in Physics we still have Thermodynamics, Electricity & Magnetism, Light & Optics, and Modern Physics. Additionally, let us take a moment to orient ourselves within the Main Sequence of the learning program, which encompasses all of the sciences. Read this next sentence slowly and visualize each topic. We have completed Kinematics, Newton's Laws, Work & Energy, Momentum & Impulse, Rotation, Harmonic Motion, Elasticity, Fluid Mechanics and Waves. In this module's Main Sequence we will be working on Gravitation and Electricity, and next module we will begin Chemistry with the study of Atomic Theory, Periodic Properties, Chemical Bonding, and Intermolecular Forces.

As you look forward in the learning program, always be looking back too. Once you have completed a topic in the Main Sequence, consider it that you own the topic, and that you hold yourself responsible for it. Now you are the owner of Kinematics, Newton's Laws, Work & Energy, Momentum & Impulse, Rotation, Harmonic Motion, Elasticity, Fluid Mechanics, and Waves. When you own something, you have the responsibility of its maintainance. As you pass through these subjects again in future Overview Cycles, as you encounter them in practice tests, and as you find them mentioned in interdisciplinary discussions, continuously strive to maintain what you have learned and improve your mastery of the knowledge. Visit and revisit. You are laying down a comprehensive foundation and elaborating a mental structure through repetition and articulation, and this will make your knowledge base rich, full, and interrelated.

Module 3 - Overview

Main Sequence - Gravitation and Electricity, two of the fundamental forces in nature.

Epicycle - Take a tour of General Chemistry from beginning to end. Review the structure of General Chemistry and the main ideas throughout the discipline.

Interdisciplinary Discussions - Compare and contrast the gravitational and and electrostatic forces. Integrate these forces within the understanding of mechanics. Discuss the concepts of electrostatic force in such a way as to begin illuminating chemistry (keeping quantum mechanics in mind).

Verbal Reasoning and Essay - Review the types of Verbal Reasoning questions and take a Verbal Reasoning practice exam. Analyze your performance. Write an essay.

Module 3 - Main Sequence        { 10 - 12 hours }

This module our Main Sequence topics are Gravitation and Electricity. The gravitational force and the electrostatic force have many similarities and many important differences. Although gravitation is on nearly every MCAT, the electric force (which has a flipside in magnetism) is especially crucial, not only in a straightforward way as a direct source of MCAT questions, but also as a fundamental underpinning of many diverse phenomena from chemistry to biology. It is so important that we actually cover Electricity twice as a Main Sequence topic, here in Module 3 and again in Module 17.

Here are our Main Sequence topics for Module 3:

Gravitation on the MCAT

Gravity problems appear fairly regularly on the MCAT. On the MCAT you will often see permutations of such classic gravity problems as satellite orbit or escape velocity. Additionally, as an 'inverse square law force', gravitation has many important similarities in problem solving to the electrostatic force. Though there are a host of important differences, gravitation is important for laying some important groundwork for understanding and modelling force and energy relationships in electrostatics.

Learning Goals for Gravitation

Suggested Assignments

Electricity on the MCAT

Electricity is one of the two or three most important topics for the MCAT both in terms of straight-out questions on the test and because the understanding of electricity lays the groundwork for understanding chemistry. Perhaps a few other topics, such as Chemical Bonding, Solutions, or The Cell are as important for the MCAT as a direct source of questions, but if you don't understand Electricity very well, you won't understand those topics well either. Grip down and work hard here.

Learning Goals for Electricitiy

Suggested Assignments

Module 3 - Overview Cycles        { 3 - 5 hours }

Repetition and triangulation are keys to a successful program of Overview Cycles. Each time you cycle from the beginning to the end of a scientific discipline your mastery of the knowledge becomes more integrated and interrelated, and the task ahead becomes more 'finite'. You start to understand which concepts are most important, and you gain the ability to take a structural approach to the self-assessment. Your primary Overview Cycle work this module is to get through the Chemistry conceptual discussions in your Overview Cycle Book. Read a section at a comfortable pace. Assess its organization. Glance over it again. Think about the where the topic fits in the overall structure of Chemistry. Finally, go through a mental checklist of the three or four main concepts. Then move on.

Overview Cycle - Learning Goals

Suggested Assignments

THE STRUCTURE OF MATTER Atomic Theory Periodic Properties The Chemical Bond Intermolecular Forces STOICHIOMETRY Stoichiometry CHEMICAL THERMODYNAMICS AND CHEMICAL KINETICS Thermochemistry The States of Matter Chemical Thermodynamics and the Equilibrium State Chemical Kinetics SOLUTIONS AND AQUEOUS SYSTEMS Water Solutions Acids and Bases OXIDATION REDUCTION AND ELECTROCHEMISTRY Oxidation/Reduction Electrochemistry COORDINATION CHEMISTRY Coordination Chemistry

Module 3 - Interdisciplinary Discussions        { 3 hours }

This is an important module in the Interdisciplinary Discussions with several themes. We will be grounding our discussion of gravitation and electricity within the fundamental mechanics and comparing and contrasting gravitation and electricity. We will be applying our understanding of electrostatics to interpreting basic questions in chemistry.

Don't just blow through the Interdisciplinary Discussions this module. Read them thoughtfully and carefully. We are starting several important themes which we will then be developing over the next few months.

Interdisciplinary Discussion - Learning Goals

Suggested Assignments

Module 3 - Verbal Reasoning        { 2 - 3 hours }

Remember the five types of Verbal Reasoning questions. See the discussion in Module 1 for more information.

Main Idea

Author's Tone

Thematic Extension

Specific Inference

Facts & Information

Verbal Reasoning Tip of the Week

The test-writers will almost never have you choose an irresponsible point of view as 'correct'. If an answer choice represents a radical opinion or is very negative, you can eliminate it. A cardinal rule for the test-writers is 'do not offend'.

Verbal Reasoning Assignments

Module 3 - Essay        { 1 hour }

This is the third essay. The keys to preparing for the essay are to learn a good technique and practice. Last module we discussed some techniques for structuring a unified critical MCAT essay in some depth. Here is a LINK to that discussion for a refresher.

Essay Assignments