Prompts / Studying & Academic Writing

ChatGPT prompt for chemistry help

This prompt turns an AI into a chemistry tutor who shows the reasoning behind a problem. Use it when you need to understand a concept, check your work, or prepare for an exam.

PromptOpen ChatGPTOpen Claude
Act as my chemistry tutor. Help me understand and solve the chemistry task below without skipping the reasoning or simply supplying an answer.

My level and course: [COURSE LEVEL]
Topic or question: [CHEMISTRY TASK]
What I have tried or what confuses me: [MY WORK OR CONFUSION]
Allowed information and constraints: [GIVEN DATA AND RULES]
Desired help: [LEARNING GOAL]

First, identify the chemistry ideas this task tests and state any assumptions, units, reaction conditions, or conventions that matter. Then teach it in this order:
1. Restate the problem in plain language and list the knowns, unknowns, and required conversions.
2. Explain the governing principle before applying it. For calculations, show dimensional analysis, significant figures, charge balance, and unit cancellation. For reactions, check atom balance, charge, phase/state notation when relevant, limiting reagent, and stoichiometric ratios. For structure or mechanism questions, distinguish evidence from inference and name the relevant bonding, geometry, equilibrium, or electron-flow rule.
3. Work through one clear solution path, labeling each step and explaining why it is valid.
4. Compare my work with the solution if I provided it; point out the first incorrect step rather than only marking the final answer wrong.
5. Give me one similar practice question, then wait for my attempt before revealing its solution.

Do not invent missing measurements, constants, observations, or reaction conditions. If information is missing, ask up to 3 clarifying questions; otherwise proceed. End with a 3-bullet recap: concept, common mistake, and how to recognize this problem type. Before answering, self-check that every equation is balanced where applicable and that numerical results use appropriate units and significant figures.

Fill in

PlaceholderWhat to enterExample
[COURSE LEVEL]Enter your course and level, such as high school chemistry, AP Chemistry, or first-year general chemistry.AP Chemistry, stoichiometry unit
[CHEMISTRY TASK]Paste the exact question, concept, reaction, data table, or lab scenario you need help with.How many grams of excess oxygen remain when 12.0 g of propane reacts with 50.0 g of O2?
[MY WORK OR CONFUSION]Paste your attempted steps or describe precisely where your understanding breaks down.I balanced C3H8 + 5O2 -> 3CO2 + 4H2O, but I do not know how to decide which reactant limits.
[GIVEN DATA AND RULES]List supplied values, formulas, allowed constants, and any instructions from your instructor.Use molar masses C3H8 = 44.10 g/mol and O2 = 32.00 g/mol; report 3 significant figures.
[LEARNING GOAL]State whether you want conceptual teaching, error checking, exam practice, or help planning a solution.Teach the limiting-reactant method and check my setup.

How to use

  1. Paste the exact assignment wording, including units, diagrams described in words, and data your instructor supplied.
  2. Include your attempted work so the AI can find the first reasoning error instead of replacing your effort.
  3. Check equations, units, and significant figures against your course convention before submitting anything.
  4. For a follow-up, send: "Give me a new problem that uses the same principle but different numbers. Do not show the solution until I answer."

Variations

Lab report analysis

Use after collecting results and before writing a chemistry lab discussion.

Variation
Help me analyze a chemistry lab result without inventing observations. Experiment: [EXPERIMENT]. Research question: [QUESTION]. Procedure changes or deviations: [DEVIATIONS]. Raw or summarized results: [RESULTS]. Expected theory: [THEORY]. Produce a 250-400 word discussion with: claim, evidence using my actual data, chemistry explanation, uncertainty or error sources tied to specific steps, and one improvement per major limitation. Separate random from systematic error. Do not claim an error caused a direction of change unless the evidence supports it. Ask up to 3 questions only if a required detail is absent. Self-check that every conclusion follows from the supplied data and that units are retained.

Organic mechanism tutor

Use when you need guided help reading or proposing an organic reaction mechanism.

Variation
Tutor me through this organic chemistry mechanism: [REACTION OR STRUCTURES]. My course level: [LEVEL]. Reagents and conditions: [REAGENTS]. My proposed arrows or confusion: [ATTEMPT]. Explain the likely reaction class, identify nucleophile, electrophile, leaving group, acid/base roles, and the order of electron-pushing steps. Describe each curved arrow in words and explain regioselectivity or stereochemistry only when justified by the conditions. Give a compact mechanism outline and one checkpoint question after each major step. Do not invent products or conditions. Ask up to 3 questions if needed. Self-check atom counts, formal charges, and conservation of charge.

Exam study plan

Use when preparing for a chemistry test with limited study time.

Variation
Build a chemistry exam study plan from my actual materials. Exam date and available hours: [TIME AVAILABLE]. Topics: [TOPICS]. Practice results by topic: [RESULTS]. Allowed materials: [MATERIALS]. Create a day-by-day plan with focused blocks, retrieval-practice questions, calculation drills, and a final mixed set. Prioritize weak, high-frequency topics without ignoring prerequisites. For each topic, name one diagnostic mistake to watch for, such as mole-ratio reversal, equilibrium-direction confusion, or incorrect significant figures. Do not assume topics that are not listed. Ask up to 3 questions only if scheduling information is missing. Self-check that total planned time does not exceed my availability.

Tips

  • Paste the full problem statement; a missing unit, phase label, or reagent can change the chemistry.
  • For numerical work, ask for the setup before the arithmetic so you can catch a wrong mole ratio or conversion factor early.
  • Treat AI-generated reaction mechanisms as study aids, not authority; compare them with the reaction conditions and your course material.
  • When studying, ask for near-transfer questions that change the surface details but preserve the underlying principle.

FAQ

Can I use this prompt to get homework answers?

Use it to learn the method and check an attempt. Your instructor's academic-integrity rules still determine what assistance is allowed.

Will the AI always balance equations and calculations correctly?

No. The prompt requires checks, but you should verify atom counts, charges, units, and significant figures yourself.

What if my question includes a diagram?

Upload it when your AI tool supports images, or describe labels, bonds, charges, colors, and measurements in text.

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