MIT 5.111: Principles of Chemical Science
5.111 is MIT's general chemistry GIR option, covering atomic structure, quantum concepts, bonding, thermodynamics, equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, kinetics, and transition metals — with biological and medical examples woven throughout. Its OCW version is a popular free gen-chem course.
Fennie is independent and not affiliated with MIT. This is an unofficial study guide.
Build my 5.111 study planWhat makes it hard
5.111 starts with quantum mechanics rather than ending with it, which jolts students expecting high-school-style stoichiometry review. The pace stacks thermodynamics, equilibrium, and kinetics in quick succession, and exam problems require connecting concepts across units.
What you'll cover
- • Atomic structure and quantum concepts
- • Chemical bonding and molecular orbitals
- • Thermodynamics
- • Chemical equilibrium
- • Acid-base chemistry
- • Kinetics
- • Transition metals
The 5.111 study guide
How to study for MIT 5.111, step by step.
- 1
Embrace the quantum-first ordering
5.111 opens with quantum mechanics instead of stoichiometry review, and waiting for familiar high school material to appear is a losing strategy. Engage with the orbitals and energy levels from day one — everything later builds on them.
- 2
Stay current with psets at all costs
The pace stacks thermodynamics, equilibrium, and kinetics in quick succession, and catch-up mode is where 5.111 grades die. The pset due this week is always the priority over perfecting last week's.
- 3
Schedule review days between the big units
Each major unit assumes the previous one has set. A deliberate review day after thermodynamics, and again after equilibrium, keeps the foundations solid before the next pour.
- 4
Practice cross-unit problems before exams
Exam problems connect concepts across units — equilibrium reasoning with thermodynamic justification, kinetics with mechanism. Seek out and drill exactly those composite problems, including from the OCW exams with solutions.
- 5
Let Fennie pour the foundation on schedule
Upload the 5.111 syllabus or OCW outline and Fennie's Daily Plan paces the dense unit sequence with review days built in, auto-generating flashcards for constants, trends, and definitions from the actual course materials. Free to start.
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How Fennie helps with 5.111
Fennie's Daily Plans pace 5.111's dense unit sequence with review days between thermodynamics, equilibrium, and kinetics so each foundation sets before the next pours. Chat through a molecular orbital diagram or buffer problem, and auto-generate flashcards for the constants, trends, and definitions that exams assume are automatic.
FAQ
Is 5.111 hard?
It's a fast, quantum-first treatment of general chemistry — harder in style than content. Students who keep current with psets find exams fair; the pace punishes catch-up mode.
What's the difference between 5.111 and 5.112?
Both satisfy MIT's chemistry GIR; 5.112 moves faster and assumes a stronger chemistry background. 5.111 is the standard choice for most students.
Can I use 5.111 on OCW to prep for college chemistry?
Yes — the OCW version includes lectures, notes, and exams with solutions, and it's a strong (if demanding) preview of university-level general chemistry.
Pass 5.111 with a plan, not a cram
Upload your 5.111 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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