ASU CHM 113: General Chemistry I
CHM 113 is ASU's first general chemistry course with lab, covering atomic structure, stoichiometry, bonding, thermochemistry, and gases. It serves biology, engineering, and pre-health majors in huge numbers and carries a classic gateway-course reputation.
Fennie is independent and not affiliated with Arizona State University. This is an unofficial study guide.
Build my CHM 113 study planWhat makes it hard
Stoichiometry is the make-or-break: it appears in week two and underlies everything after, and students who never get fluent at mole conversions bleed points all semester. The math is constant — unit conversions, multi-step calculations — and exam time pressure exposes anyone who practiced by reading worked examples instead of solving problems cold.
What you'll cover
- • Atomic structure and the periodic table
- • Stoichiometry and the mole
- • Chemical reactions in solution
- • Thermochemistry
- • Chemical bonding basics
- • Gas laws
The CHM 113 study guide
How to study for ASU CHM 113, step by step.
- 1
Make stoichiometry automatic by week three
Mole conversions appear in week two of CHM 113 and underlie everything after. Drill mass-to-mole-to-particle chains daily until they're reflex — students who stay slow here bleed points all semester.
- 2
Solve problems cold, every day
Reading worked examples feels like studying but doesn't build exam speed. Work problems with solutions closed, check after, and redo misses the next day.
- 3
Track units through every calculation
Dimensional analysis catches most CHM 113 errors before they cost points. Write units on every quantity and let them cancel — it turns multi-step problems into guided paths.
- 4
Keep lab reports off exam week
Lab runs parallel with its own deadlines. Draft reports right after each session so the pre-exam week belongs to problem practice, not procedure write-ups.
- 5
Rehearse under time pressure before each exam
Timed mixed problem sets, no notes, including earlier material. Exam time pressure exposes everyone who practiced slowly — make speed part of your practice, not a surprise.
- 6
Run CHM 113 on a Fennie Daily Plan
Upload the syllabus and Fennie front-loads stoichiometry practice and keeps daily reps going, synced to your exam schedule and lab deadlines, with practice problems generated from the real course material. It's free to start.
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How Fennie helps with CHM 113
Fennie's Daily Plans front-load stoichiometry practice and keep problem reps going daily — the only preparation that survives CHM 113's timed exams — synced to your exam schedule and lab report deadlines. Chat works through multi-step problems with full reasoning so you can solve, not just follow, then practice problems confirm it.
FAQ
Is CHM 113 at ASU hard?
It's one of ASU's classic gateway STEM courses. The concepts are standard gen chem, but the math fluency required — especially stoichiometry under exam time pressure — is what separates grades. Daily problem practice is non-negotiable.
How do I pass CHM 113?
Master mole conversions and stoichiometry early until they're automatic, then solve problems daily without looking at solutions. Reading worked examples feels like studying but doesn't build the speed timed exams require.
Do I need calculus for CHM 113?
No — algebra is the math workload: unit conversions, ratios, and multi-step calculation chains. Weak algebra, not missing calculus, is what makes the course's math feel hard.
Pass CHM 113 with a plan, not a cram
Upload your CHM 113 materials and Fennie generates a Daily Plan paced to your deadline — plus chat, flashcards, and quizzes built from the actual course content.
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